The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-04
THE WAR IN VENEZUELA.

The civil war which has broken out in
Venezuela is chiefly remarkable because
that republic has generally been free from
the iurmoils which have retarded the
progress Of other Spanish-American coun-
tries. Ever since 1870, when GuZman
Blaneo, at the head of the FederaiSts, won
a decisive victory over the party OF Gen.
tralzston, Venezuela has enjoyed peace
each President has succeeded his pTedeces-
sor without opposition. and has admins
tered the Government without resistance to
the end of his two years term. The pres
ent uprising against Palacio is the first APP
peal from the balOt-box to the bayonet
which has taken place since Venezuela
assumed its present shape under the consti-
tuition Of 1864.
Ihat constitution was expressly devised
to obviate the necessity of resort to revo-
lutionaTy methods. The Congress is BIZ
eameral as with us; the Senate is chosen by
the eight States, the House by popular and
direct election. These two bodies choose
Federal Council of seventeen. which exer-
cises executive authority for two years.
The Council also elects the President who
serves for two years, and Is not re-eligible.
The Senate and House are both elected for
four years the people can thus, in case of
ment every -four years, and in case of con-
flict of opinion between the executive and
legislative branches of the Government the
former can De displaced at the end of two
years This constitution compares favor
ably with the constitutions which are in
operation in the British colonies.
Last year it was amended and as amended
was ratified by the eight States Differ
ences appear to have arisen as TO when and
how the amended constitution should go
into effect. President Palacio proposed TO
retain office Rntil a new election took place
under the new constitution and his success
scr was chosen. A faction arose under the
lead Of Crespo, who was President from
1884 TO 1856, which seems to have demanded
his immediate retire ment. He refused and
both parties appealed 10 arms. The issue
appears 10 turn on the old controversy over
Capitalization and State rights. Blanco him.
self was opposed to a centralized Govern
ment, but he yielded so far to the advocates
Of State rights as to assent to the constitu-
ton Of 1864 and to the notifications made in
it in 1881, which were in the nature of a
compromise. CTespo seems to want to break
down the power of the States altogether,
while Palacio holds by the compromise.
Both parties are in the field. PalaciO is SUI
pTeme at the capital. Caracas, and has dis
persed Congress at the point of the bayonet
CreSpo seems to be the stronger in the
states which lie south and west of the capt.
tai and which contain one-third of the popu-
laton Of the country.
A civil war In nation with less than two
and half millions OF people will not dis
turb the peace Of the world. But it will
work to the disadvantage of Venezuela in
the boundary dispute with England. While
the Fenezuelans are fighting over the Presi-
dency the British will probably make good
their hold on the gold fields in the disputed
territory along the OTnoco. and it will have
a tendency to check the growth Of Vene-
zuela's trade, especially with this country.
This is matter OF regret. as since the estab-
lishment Of steam communication between
New York and Caracas and the Orinoco
ports our exchanges have been rapidly in
creasing. Twenty years ago they only
amounted to SIS, 100000 year; now they are
over $4,000 more than half Of Vene-
zuela's total foreign trade.
The war Tevives the questions which were
raised 10y the war between Peru and Chile
ten years ago and by the recent civil strife
in Chile. Under the revised Interpretation
Of tie Monroe doctrine the United States
are morally bound to interfere on behalf Of
any South American nation which is as
sailed by European power. Does that
doctrine confer upon this country any rights
or impose any duties in the event Of civil
wars or border wars on that continent?
Mr. Blaine held in 1881 that we could not sit
by idly while Peru wa being despoiled of
territory by Chile, and last summer there
were people who thought that the Unite d
States ought TO press on the Chileans the
expediency of referring their controversy to
American arbitration. Would it be wise for
the President to offer his services as medi-
ator between Palacio aud Crespo? Nene-
zuela would certainly be a gamer by the
termination Of hosiilities, which must be ex-
hauSting and may be Indefinitely prolonged.
But have we any right to NEEDLE in the mat
| ter?