Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-11-01
VENEZU Ella AS SHE Is
WHAT HER REPRESENTATIVE IN
WASHINGTON SAYS.

Venezuela Has No Navy-England Could
Easily Take Seaport Towns-A Nation
of Warriors-Good Financial Condition.
Looking to the United States.
"Tho British may carry matters so far
as to take possession of our seaport, La
Guayra," said Minister Andrade of Vene-
zuela, "but if they attompt to invade the
country they will get warm reception.
Probably they will attempt nothing fur
ther. They will be content with occupa.
ton of our port seizure of the custom
house and collection of an arbitrary sum
in satisfaction of their wounded feelings
Venezuela has 10 navy worth speaking
Of We have four naval steamers, but they
are not armorGd, and of course could offer
no resistance to even one British cruiser,
let alone fleet. La Guayra and our other
chief seaports are fortified with modern
guns, but probably are not strong enough
to offer more than formal resistance to the
British. Tho English would have no trou-
bio in carrying out their plans unless the
United States naval power were to como to
our rescue. 1t is believed in my country
the United States will do this The VCne-
zuelans are oycrjoyed to learn that at last
the great American republic has raised the
Monroe doctrine as an issue. We have in
the past been grateful for your good offices,
but this friendly interest appears to avail
us nothing.
eff the British should attempt invasion
of Venezuela, you Americans will see how
we can fight We are warike people.
The British cannot transport enough
troops to Venezuela to conquer us, and
therefore are not likely to attempt such a
task. In times of peace we maintain an
army of from 5000 to 5000 men. They
are well disciplined and we'll armed. Pres.
ident CTespo is IL warrior, and the army is
his pride. Three years ago he bought 40
900 mausur rifles, and in case of necessity
we could quickly throw from so, 600 to
100000 troops into the field. We have
some very good artillery and cavalry, and
our troops love to fight.
'NenCZuGla is in an admirable financial
condition" continued the minister; Gin
fact, our finances are in better shape than
those of any other American country.
Our total debt, foreign and domestic, is
only Sl3, 900, 600. Our yearly income is
$4,000, 900. We are fast reducing the
debt Since 1870 Venezuela has promptly
met every financial obligation, and her
credit is good. At tho same time we have
expended a great deal of money in nublic
works, 81, 600 600 or 81. 600 600 every wear
Considering the nature of the country the
roads are good, and our railway system is
being rapidly extended. Ten yGars AGO we
had no railroads, but now we have about
6OOmiles of lines. and Others arc bring ran
idly constructed From Caracas. orr can
ital, to La Guavra the PRINCIPAL seaport.
the distance is only seven miles. but the
railway connecting the two points is "a
miles long. An American company is
cutting a tunnel through a mountain
which will give u direct route ten miles
long for cable road. this method of pre-
pulsion being necessary because Caracas Ia
5000 feet higher than La Guayra.
"Thc disputed territory consists of some
thing like so, 900 square miles," added
Minister Andrade. cor region about MS
large as your state of Kansas or the stats
of Minnesota. 1t is now principally noun
tain and wilderness. though it embraces, A
great deal of upland valuable for coffee
plantations. The forests are very rich.
Discoveries of gold are imnortant. and the