Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-27
A SLIGHT WAR SPECK
On the Horizon of Venezuela, That
Nay Not Entirely Disappear
UNITE SOME DAMAGE is DONE.
Justice Lamar Not Likely to Resign Even
If he Ia q Sick Man.
JNfIb SOME DAMAGE is DONE.
SYMPATHY EXPRESSED ON ALL SIDES
rrRox A STAFF CORRESPONDENT !


WASHINGTON, Sept 26.-It is admitted
to-day at the Department of State tha
there is q possibility at any moment o
trouble with Venezuela While there havt
been no acts on the part of the Venezuelan,
up to this time which would require the
argument of shot and shell. the temper of 6
portion of the people is such that it is ex.
pected to cuiminate at any time in some
foolish movement that would set the Con.
cord, the Kearssrge and the flagship, Chi
cago, at hot work on very short notice.
The news has been very meager from the
representatives of the United Statess al
Venezuela during the last few days, and il
is not expected that any great profusion Of
information will be sent by Minister
scruggs or by Rear Admiral Walker. 1t is
not necessary. The instructions of both
officials are explicit, and Rear Admiral
Walker, when he sailed in the Chicago for
the waters of the "sister republic" was
armed with full warrant to act promptly in
case it should seem the proper thing to do,
without waiting for communication with
his Government.
Reasons for the Commotion.
The insolence of the Venezuelans; their
demand for contributions from foreigners
for the maintenance of the Government; the
forcible capture of refugees from vessels
flying the American flag, have made, it i'm
perative that there should be someone on
the spot vested with authority to take ex-
treme measures at a moments notice, and
the instructions with which Rear Admiral
Walker went to sea, and whose tenor was
not known even to him until he was far
away on his voyage, are now admitted to
have been of q more sweeping character
than are usually given to any naval officer
1t is somewhat peculiar the attitude of
the United States in this affair and the re-
verse of what 1t was at the outset of the
troubles in Chile. At that time the Min
lister from the United States at Santiago
was in sympathy with the dictator in power,
and all his efforts were in the direction of
inducing his Government to take the same
view with himself Somewhat to its dis
comfture this Government followed in the
wake of the Minister. In the case of Vene-
zuela the Minister has been in opposition to
the Government in power in the form of a
dictatorship and in favor of the insurgents,
headed by General Crespo.
1t is apparent from the treatment of
Americans that the Government in power
is aware of the bend of the sympathies of
the American Minister, who is probably
acting in conformity with the best judg-
ment of the mass of Americans in Vene-
zueia. Whether it will prove that the
Minister is at fault, as DIR. Egan showed
himself to be in a somewhat deplorable
manner, is one of the things to be learned.
Walkers Instructions Are Peremptory.
Whatever may be the wisdom or the lack
of wisdom of the Minister, the duty of Rear
Admiral Walker does not demand that he
should inquire into the policies of the coun-
try or the quarrels of Its factions or the
personal ambitions of its great men, but
simply that he shall protect, to the extent
of his ships and his guns, the interests of
citizens of the United States and the per-
son and liberty of anyone who claims the
protection of the flag.
Admiral Walker it is said by those who
know him best, will not be averse to the
trial of his guns if an occasion offers, and
once in he will make thorough work of it.
There Will be no hesitation, as there was
with the officials at the harbor of Valparaiso.
The situation is different, and he is sup
piled with specific instructions. Moreover
the authorities at the State and Navy De-
partments have learned few things bv the
occurrences on the coast of Chile, and they
have been able to provide for future con-
tingencies
1t is said by an authority at the State
Department that 1t is expected almost the
only thing that will stand in the way of
serious trouble with the present usurpation
called the Government of Venezuela will
be the speedy downfall of that faction en-
gagged in successful misrule, and the as
cendancy of the faction which has General
Crespo as the acknowledged leader, but who
are now proceeding in the nominal capacity
of insurgents" or ''revolutionists.
Lamar Not Likely to Resign.
Though the effects of the paralytic stroke
from which the physicians of Justice Lamar
admit that notable gentleman suffered last
week have apparently passed away, the
subject of the early retirement OF the JUS
tice from the bench of the Supreme Court
is canvassed BY every one who is at all in
terested in the matter. 1t is looked at
mainly from a political point of |
view. The Democrats say that the Justice |
is much too good Democrat to retire be- |
fore the fourth of March to give President |
Harrison opportunity to appoint Repub- |
hcan in his place They express hope |
that if Cleveland be elected, Mr.. Lamar |
will retire at once and give room for some |
vigorous Democrat of middle age, who will, |
in the course of nature, hold onto the Office |
for many a year. They seem to think that
the majority OF Republicans on the supreme |
bench is much too large to admit of the |
appointment of another Republican during |
the present term of President Harrison, |
who has already placed three of his choice |
on the supreme bench, in the persons of |
Brewer of Leavenworth, Brown of Michi- |
gan, and Shiras of Pittsburg.
OF course, Justice Lamar need not re-
sign, even If he is incapacitated. He could
hardly do less service in the future than he
has in the past, even if he be compelled to
remain away frem the court altogether. 1t
is expected, therefore, by Republicans as
well as Democrats that there will not be
vacancy of his creating as long as he lives,
or at least until after the 4th of March
shall have shown the election of a Demo-
cratic President
Great sympathy is expressed on all sides,
regardless OF party, on account Of the phys
ical wreck to which Justice Lamar has
been reduced.
Hark What's That?
The dinner bell, of course Not a particu-
" a Gfs,r, @sl~z -