The Indianapolis journal., 1895-06-28
AMERICANS in FAVOR
ALMOST wORSHIPED by THE PEO-
PIE OF HARAssED VENEZUELA.
Congressman LfvinRstOn's Account of
His Reception by the Authori-
ties Of the Republic.


bitrate the British-Venezuela question. re-
turned TO Washington from an extended
TRIP through Venezuela, where he went 10
make personal inspection of the merits
or the controversy. He went as the guest
OF the Venezuelan government. and was
given an official reception throughout his
stay in the country. He returns with a
fund of information which promises to have
a nearing on the action OF the United
States in extending the Monroe doctrine
TO the British-Venezuela troubles. He
brings. also. important news concerning
recent events in Venezuela, including a
rebellion in Valencia, which was quickly
suppressed by the government, and which
was not reported outside OF the country.
also. the news that at a recent meeting of
the Cabinet the English concession for a
vast tract of the Orinoco country, includ-
ing the famous Bahia gold mines, and part
of the territory claimed by Great Britain
was revoked. and new concession granted
to an American company. The latter i'm
mediately sent its men to take possession
of the concession. and Representative Liv-
ingston expects that If the British occu-
pants refuse to yield the American company
will make speedy representations to the au-
thorities at Washington.
AS result of Colonel Lvingston's trip
he is convinced that the United States will
adopt a strong policy on the Brtish-Ven-
ezuela question. perhaps through the ex-
ecutive branches, this summer, and car
tainly through Congress when il reas-
sembles To a reporter Mr.. Livingston
outlined the essential features of his trip.
THE people of this country" he said,
hardly appreciate the unbounded enthus-
iasm which prevails in Venezuela towards
the United States. AS member of the
Cabinet said to me: The Americans are
gods in this country The first thing /
heard on landing from the steamer La
guayra was, Hurrah for President Cleve-
land The government placed a special
train anr at my @ disposal @ to carry arr me to Caracas
and many officials. To show the intense
Americanism of the people, 1 will cite the
fact that at one of the ente; tainments they
gave me there was baseball game. SIM
ply because 1t was American. The govern
ment band was present and played Dixie
and the crowd kept up a constant shouting.
'Hurrah for Cleveland and hurrah for the
Monroe doctrine Even the small boys in
the streets are shouting for the Monroe
government had the action of our Congress
concerning the British-Venezuela question
printed in Spanish. and it is distributed TO
that the intimacy between the United
States and Venezuela may be taught
CRESPO RULES WITH IRON HAND.
Congressman Livingston was asked con-
corning President Crespo and the other
public men of the country. THE country
requires very strong man." said he. "and
it has one in Crespo. He came in at the
head Of revolution two years ago. and
he rules with iron hand. He began as
a cowboy then advanced to a cattle owner,
and now is man of great wealth. owning
property in Brooklyn. n. ", and in France
and England. : The laws are such that he
is little short of absolute dictator. He
owns the great sugar refinery Of Vene-
Zueia. & ana the M = tarln on sugar & 4 IS 10 cents
slant Wig gila6ce against the rebel element
led by Blanco. and in consequence he keeps
an army of plantation men ready to be
moved at any moment. was assured
that in case of any uprising an American
would be entirely safe. as all parties pro-
tected Americans. l began to understand
the meaning of this assurance when the
next night messenger came TO me TO say
that a rebellion had broken out Then /
heard vans moving along the streets gath
ering soldiers TO conscript for an uprising.
A message brought me word that an out
break had occurred IN the valencia valley
break was crushed before it had gained
ground. No word Of Il ever reached this
country. 1t shows the need of strong
head.
''The little Dutch island of Curacao, off
the coast is the center of rebellious or
ganization. 1t has long been held by the
Dutch and had a Dutch governor. Here
the disaffected element meets and plans
The head of the disaffected class is Bianco;
who was President before Crespo headed
a successful rebellion. Blanco stays IN
Paris where he is fbe rSh sorae1
and trying to stimulate a revolt. Not only
have the Dutch this island. but the Ger,
mans also are trying to secure an is,and la
the island of Trinidad as their naval base
of operations off the Orinoco river"
CONCESSION TO AMERICANS.
Colonel Livingston was asked as to the
American interest at Venezuela as affected
by the British controversy. Il am glad to
saw" he answered that Americans have
now substantial and definite interest in the
most valuable section of Venezuela. part OF
which is claimed by Great Britain. Although
/ have no interest in the subject except as
an American. yet / was glad to be able,
while at Caracas, to assist in consummat.ng
a concession of 100000 acres to an Ameri-
can company in which number of infiuen-
tial men of the United States are interest
cd. The concession had been controlled by
a British concern, who had secured II from
Blanco. The Crespo government favored
the American company, but the negotiations
u.
of the Cabinet the desirability of giving our
American friends the concession. III was
frankly stated by one of the Cabinet ofncerS
that what stood in the way was the imam
cial interests in Venezuela. After talking to
one of the Americans interested, l assured
this Cabinet officer that If need be an Aneri.
can bank With twenty millions OF capital
would be al once established at Caracas as
a financial supporter to the government.
That afternoon the Cabinet met and re-
mained in session for two hours, canceing
the concession to the British concern and
giving IL absolutely TO the American COM
pany. The Americans sent their men 10
Trinidad island, whence they VIII go 10
various points on the concession ana take
formal possession of il. 1t is very valuable
of il is in the territory claimed by Great
Britain. Should the Americans meet with
any opposition by the British. the subject
undoubtedly VIII be brought to the attention
of the State Department in the form OF a
protest"
Colonel Livingston was asked as TO the
results of his Investigation of the British
claims II found' said he, that our
part information has been very meager. and
/ brought back many maps and documents.
which ! hope will throw light on the sub
ject The British have made no less than
seven lines as their boundary. claim. The
first four lines were found not to include
the gold country and the land commanding
the mouth of the Orinoco river. As result
the British have been pushing their lines
gold fields and the lower Ornoco country.
1t is believed beyond question that much
of this territory belongs to Venezuela and
In anv event Il is only just that the subject
should be passed by impartial COM
mission or arbitration, as the United States
has suggested.
..But suppose Great Britain declines TO ar
bitrate. what will the United States do2''