The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-04-04
OLD ENGLAND
Determined in Her Attitude
Toward Venezuela.
Interested Nations Anxious-Mr Bay
ards Efforts Watched With Interest


20 believe that the British government has
given cur ambassador. Mr.. Bayard, to un-
dsrstand In response to his representations
In the vsnesuelan boundary matter, and
his suggestion that IL be submitted to ar
bitration, that 10 must persist In regarding
the subject as one in which only Great
Britain and Venezuela are concerned.
OF course the idea was set out very
ALPHABETICALLY and courteously, so as to
svoio giving offense as far as possible,
while still making IL plain that the United
States could not be regarded as having
any proper interest in the matter 80, rs
10 stands the British government still In
sists upon Its absolute title and right TO
occupy all OF the territory to the eastward
Of the Sohomberd line. while processing
willingness to submit to arbitration It's
claims to the lands lying west OF that line.
This was the offer made TO Venezuela
years ago, and 1t has not been modified in
any respect since, Notwithstanding Mr..
Bayard's efforts. 1t has been intimated
that the United States might acquire
right to intervene i'm behalf OF Venezuela
BY declaring protectorate over that
country with the assent Of Its people. and
0o0lnQ InlS SukkCctiOh 10 Nv Aoooe oho va
the great European powers, who would be
glad TO have it's relation to the disturbed
countries of South and Central America
placed on q stable basis, so that 1t might
look to some thoroughly responsible,
highly civilized govern ment to insure the
permanence Of trade and prevent frequent
revolutions.
But to concede the necessity for such
ctnpo en- oa a n infnrfar-
ing TO prevent the acquisition Of Ameri-
can territory by European power, would
amount to renunciation Of the Monroe
doctrine by the United States, and this
cannot be contemplated by the admins
tration.
Ready Fer Discussion.
There are indications that the British
foreign Office officials are willing TO dis
cuss this feature of the case with Mr.. Bay
ard at length, and so the negotiations may
drag along for many months unless col
lision occurs between the British and
Venezuelan forces In the disputed terri
tory, or the new Minnesota company
forces an Issue by beginning operations un.
dsr the large concessions it has obtained
from Venezuela Of lands In that section.
It IL apparent here lat the progress Of
Mr.. Bayards efforts is being watched with
interest by the diplomatic representatives
Of the South and Central American coun-
tries stationed In Washington, for they re-
slise that the issue may be Of vital inn
portance to them In the future. They
have expected that the administration
would be called upon to take o definite
position In respect To the extent 1t would
permit the European powers to interfere
in the affairs Of the American republics in
the recent San Dominican affair, but the
United States was enabled to avoid the
issue, owing to concessions on the part of
France, resulting In an amicable adjust
mept of her difficulties with the Domini-
cans.
One OF these diplomatic representatives,
in speaking upon this subject remarked
that the majority Of the southern repub-
lies were staggering under foreign debts
and were unable longer to meet their obli-
cations. They could not meet the interest
on these debts, much less could they pay
on the principal, owing TO the terrible
commercial depression. Some Of these
countries had defaulted on their interest
on foreign debts, and In others, notably
Costa Rics, 1t was now proposed to repuii.
ate nc least half their debt.
Ointm oI Sau Dominxos
The questions confronting these conn
tries IL whether the United States will
stand by and permit the creditor nations
of Europe to collect these debts by force
Meanwhile, to strengthen their claim for
protection, the United States Is progress
ing among the smaller and weaker re-
publics movement to entangle their In
terests with our own, 50 as TO make 10 u
matter OF deep concern TO our people
should any European power attack them.
The firsc indication of this policy was
seen in the claim OF San Domingo to ex-
emption from the French demand upon
her revenues on the ground that these had
all been farmed out 70 American corpora
tions, which would be ruined by conpii-
snce with the French demands.
Then there is the recent concession
made to an American corporation by Ven
ezuela TO force the United States into the
issue between her aud Great Britain 10y
motives of direct self nterest, and In other
countries there has been adopted policy
of farming out to syndicates certain privi-
leges, such as the right Co import tobacco
and opium aud the COLLECTIONS OF customs
duties