Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-04-04

w Aoiil4N9lpNs April 3,
There is reason to believe that the
British government has given our en-
bassador, Mr.. Bayard. to understand,
in response to his representation in the
Venezuelan boundary matter and his
suggestion that it be submitted to
arbitration that 1t must persist in re.
gardlng the subject as one in which
only Great Britain and Venezuela are
concerned. or course the idea was set
out very diplomatioally and GENEROUSLY
so as to avoid giving offense as far as
possible while still meaning making
it plain that the United states could
not be regarded as having any proper
Interest In the matter. So 1t stands
the British government sim insists
upon its absolute title and right To
occupy all of the territory to the east
ward Of the schomberg line, while pro-
Tossing a Willingness to submit to arbi-
tratlon Its claims to the lands lying
west Of that line. This was the offer
made to Venezuela years ago and il
has not been modified In any respect
since, Notwithstanding Mr. Bayards
effort.
1t has been intlmuted that the United
States might acquire riBht to inter-
Vene in behalf OF Venezuela by de-
claring a protectorate over that couu-
try with the assent VI It's ptup!e, ana
behind this suggestion as at ,eLst oLe
of the great European powers. who
would be glad 10 have as regulation
with the disturbed countries n stuth
ana Central America placed On Il sable
basis, so that Il might lonl, 20 some
thoroughly responsible aud nignly civ
iliEod government to insure lha perma-
nencc of trade and ptevsnt 1.eoutut
revolutions, But TO coutede 'ho aces
SHY for such prOteclo.IIe a a PEE
requisite to interfering, 10 prevent tue
acquisition OF American .cIr-,iA by
an European payer. Tpuil amount 20
a remuneration OF the NJuroe GVc,tine
by the United States, AMI this cannot
be contemplated by the q lmuilstrat!on.
There are indications that the British
officials are wiling 10 discuss this
feature OF the case with atr lbayLl at.
length. and so the ne soEulEllas may
drag along for many Nonthb Unless
collision occurs between the British
anu Venezuelan furess
Forces In the disputed territory Of
the new Minnesota company forces an
issue by beginning operations under
the large concession 1t has obtained
from Venezuela Of lands in that sec
ton.
1t is apparent that the progress Of
Mr.. Buyard's efforts are being WHtthed
with interest by all Of the diplomatic
representatives. OF the South and Gem
trail American countries stationed In
Washington, for they realize that the
issue may be Of vital Importance TO all
of them in the future.
They had expected that the adj
mlnistration would be called upon to
assume definite position In regard to
the extent it would permit the Euro
pcan powers to interfere In the affairs
of the American republics In the Cen
trail San Dominican AFFAIR. but the
United states was enabled TO avoid the
issue owing to concessions on the part
OF France, resulting In an amlcable
adjustment of her differences with the
Domlnicans. One OF these diplomatic
reports, In speaking OF this subject, re-
marked that a majority OF the Southern
republics were staggering under for
eign debts and were unable longer to
meet their obligations. They could
not meet the interest on these debts,
much less could they pay or the prln-
clpal, owing to the terrible commercial
depression. Some Of these countries
have defaulted In their interest on
foreign DEBTS, ana IN others, notably
Costa Rlca 1t was now proposed to
repudiHte at least half OF the debt
The question confronting these coun-
tries Is whether the United States
will stand by and permit the creditor
nations of Europe TO collect these
debts by force. Meanwhile, 10
strengthen their claims for protection
upon the United States, there is In pro-
gress among the smaller and weaker
republics a movement to entangle their
interests with our own, so as to make
It matter OF deep concern to. our peo-
pie should any European power at
tack them. The first Indications Of
this policy was seen In the claim of
San Domingo to exemption from the
French demand upon her OF revenues
on the ground that these had all been
farmed out to an American corpora
tlon, which would be ruined by COM
pllance with the French demand.
Then there is the recent concession
made to an American corporation by
Venezuela 10 force the United States
into the Issues between her and Great
Britain by motives OF self interest. and
In other countries there has been adop-
ted policy OF farming out TO syndi-
Gates certain privileges. such as the
right to import tobacco and opium and
the collection Of customs duties.