The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1895-12-23
CRESPO'S CUNNING.
Alister Murray Tells Something Of
Venezuela.

f. AIister Murray, editor Of The Travel
ers' MAGAZINE ana ex-railroad editor Of The
ST. Paul Pioneer Press, has probably writ
ten rs much for American newspapers on
the Venezuelan question as any other news
paper man in the country. lie has made
deep study of the situation in the interest
ing little republic of the south, being in
directly interested in the famous land grant
given by General Crespo to certain Ameri-
can citizens.
Speaking of the situation Tuesday even
ing in the Aragon. he said:
Three weeks ago had a pressing invita-
ton from Captain j. A. Bowman, presi-
dent Of the original Manoa Company, which
secured the concession, to 20 to Venezuela
as representative Of several leading news
papers in this country. The captain as
surcd me that q crisis was approaching
and that the first newspaper men on the
ground would have the opportunity of their
lives to make Il neutrality-suspicious. by get
ting shot Like a fool l declined to so.
Just think of the glory Frank r. +. Wood
ward gained in cuba for The New York
World and himself. While passing through
Chicago ! dropped into a dime museum and
found him delivering spiel about ms adj
ventures in the Cuban war NJ SO per week.
! tell you there is a grand destiny for the
first newspaper man who is shot IN Ncne-
zuela--if lre gets out alive Frank dad.
ITO speak seriously Of the Venezuelan
proposition, however | wish to state that
do not believe for one Instant that there,
viii be a shot fired on account of the
boundary dispute. If | believed there
would be I'd accept Captain Bowmaus
invitation tomorrow. England and the
United States have TOO little at stake down
there to justify a scrap. Their attitude no"
appears Ike gigantic intern2uonal
blUff, a Ia Corbett and Fitzsimmons. They
do not want to fight, nor viii they. The
10, yin ht fpl
by arbitration. why not? our business
with England in one month ana England s
interest in any one OF the many or ouF
states amount to twice as much as the
territory under dispute. That is the prac-
teal side of the question.
'How did this trouble begin? Captain
Bowman was al the bottom of it. lie is
General Crespo's bosom friend, but did not
secure the tract of 1i,40d.0J0 acres for
friendship; neither did he pay money for
it. He laid a clever plan before the presi-
dent whereby the United States could be
forced into recognition Of NcucZuela's
rights by having the property of her ci,i-
zens e"ctoachcd upon by England Gen
eral CrespO, one of the shreWdest diplo-
mats living. recognized a good thing, and
gladly gave up property, which has recent
~ been leased to the Orinoco company I'M
der the laws of the state Of Washington,
Tor S2J,1u0,ptC for a period of nlnety-nine
General Crespo today sees the two great
commercial powers of the world threaten
ing each other across the ScnromberS line.
lie knows tnrre NiN he no war; nor does
ne desire war. bBt lc is well aware that
the Monroe doctrine VIII be enforced and
that British aggression stons abruptly
whore American citizens property begins.
Captain Bowman Is am odd character and
lives like q reclUse, but years ago he look
"a into the seeds Of time and made an ac-
curate forecast of existing events. ia a
few days the world IS liable to hear more
Of Captain Bowman. He has been in repI-
lar corresp Onderce with Congressman Liv-
ingstOD, Of Georgia, for a long timc
Livingston, more than any other man in
congress-. has forced tho Venezuelan issue"