Birmingham age-herald., 1895-03-21
Now Stare the United States in
 the Face.
VENEZUELA AND NICARAGUA,
Despite the Monroe Doctrine, May Bring Us Into a Seri-
 aus Predicament.

WASHINGTON, March 20. The prospect of serious complications which threatens the United States, through probable Euro- pean encroachment in Venezuela and Nica- ragua, has assumed a phase of such danger to the principle laid down in the Monroe doctrine that a special cabinet conference was held at the White House this after- noon to consider the subject. There is no doubt whatever that these subjects are considered by the president and Secre- tary Gresham as of much greater impor- tance to this country than the Allianca in- cident or the recall of Mi mister ,Thurston, and must be handled with unusual delicacy and with the knowledge that misstep may plunge the government into embarrassing complications with not one, but several of the principal European nations.
 The con ference was attended by the pres- ident, Secretary Gresham, Secretary Car lisle, Attorney General Olney and Secretary Lamont. It lasted several hours, but MT. Lamont withdrew after brief attendance. MT. Gresham took with him to the White House the official copies of much or the re. cent correspondence on both the VeEezu- elan and Nicaraguan situations, and he remained with Mir. Cleveland some time after his colleagues had left. It cannot be learned whether any additional
 
 department today, but it is said that Mr. Bayard has failed to arrange the Mosquito troubles with the British government In manner satisfactory to the United States.
 Great Britain's ultimatum to Nicaragua demanding an indemnity for the expulsion of MT. Hatch, the British consular agent, from Bluehelds, and the report that British warship is on her way to enforce the demand is the latest known serious phase of the difficulties growing out
 IIa ffoi antJa by this government may involve new construction of the Mouroe doctrine, 1t can be seen how slowly and carefully the president and his advisors are obliged to feel their way to prevent any possibility of blunder or to neglect any ad- Vantage that might weaken the practical sponsorship which the United States gov ernment holds over the South American and Central American republics.
 In the Venezuean affair the United States government finds itself opposed to such strong ndversaries as Great Britain, France and Germany with Belgium as incidental factor. The settlement of the claim of Great Britain to certain Venezuelan ter ritory is the main cause of alarm and to this is added the prospect that Germany will send warships to collect large amount of money guaranteed to Ger man contractors for the construction Of the Central Venezuelan railroad. France and Belgium have common ground for action
 
 American republic, namely, the expulsion Of the French and Belgian ministers from that country. Both governments have pro- tested against the expulsion, and France will send naval vessel to take their en- voys home.
 The Monroe doctrine and it's ramifica- tion contain ample authority, it is said, for the United States to display an active interest in the threatening attitude of Great Britain and Germany, and while the probable action of France and Belgium does not seemingly come within the scope of the doctrine it is understood to be the belief of this government that all the four powers will join issue in opposition to the United States to secure their several ends, and such amalgamation is likely to beget desire on the part of all to extend their dominions.
 The con ference at the White House today was necessarily of strictly private charac- ter, but it is learned tonight on good au- thority that no definite action was agreed