The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-06-18

Washington, June 17.-There is Iea-
son to believe that the United States
government will have occasion at no
distant Gay to give another interpre-
tation of the Monroe doctrine as ap-
plicaDle to the requisition of an island
off the coast of Venezuela, to be used
by Germany for a naval station. The
attention of officials has recently been
directed to the interests of Germany
in that locality, and there is appre-
hension that the subject may assume
quite as formidable an aspect as that
If British aggression on Venezuelan
soil.
An enormous amount of German
capital has been invested in Vene-
Zuela Of late under peculiar circunl-
stances. The government wanted
railroad through q rich and prOduc-
tive valley, and a German syndicate
stood ready to build the road on on
ditiOn that Venezuela would guaran-
tee per cent on the capital invested.
The guarantee was given and the
road built and put into operation
about eight months ago. At the out
set, it was supposed about 100000
would amply cover the cost of the
road, but the actual outlay reached
about 1000, 600. By the terms Of the
government guarantee, Venezuela
now becomes responsible to the Ger
man syndicate for a per cent re-
turn on this SS,000,000.
The road has not been in operation
long enough to determine what it will
earn, but its most sanguine promoters
do not hope that it viii pay per cent.
on the outlay. Whatever it earns VIII
be applied On the investment, and
Venezuela then viii have 70 give suf-
ficient to bring the earnings up to
per cent.
a Base of Operations.
It is said to be this and similar
German interests that are inclin1nS
the German government to regard
with favor the acquisition Of an island
off the Venezuelan coast to be uSed
as a naval station and as sort OF
base of operations for Germany on the
American continent. The guarantee
of Venezuela to the German syndi-
cate is &C a private character, the
German government having no Inter
est in the matter, but it is looked
upon as affording a convenient means
by which the government in giving
protection TO its citizens could also
carry out its desire for the acquisl-
ton of a naval station. The circum-
lief THAI the United States will again
be called upon TO define TO what eX-
tent the ACQUISITION Of territory by
foreign powers IL South American
soil is compatible with the Monroe
doctrine.
Great Britain already possesses an is
land ct the mouth of the Oronoco, IN
winch a powerful naval station has been
established. There are two other Islands
near 10y owned by Venezuela, either OF
which would be well adapted to Ger
manyS need. There is another large
island further Up the coast, but 1t con-
people have such intense loyalty to Nene-
zllela that they have been named New
Spartans.' They would undouotediy re-
sist any separation even II ' enezuela as
scented TO u.
The German Phase
At the moment this German phase of
the Venezuela question is making its ap-
pearanCe the British branch or the sub
jecC is presenting more favorable as
pect. Official intelligence has recently
reached hers that Sir Vincent Barring ton,
representing the most extensive British
interests in Venezuela has most strongly
urged upon the British government the
Importance Of an anicable settlement
with Venezuela as a means Of protecting
british Interests u that country. since
the withdrawal Of the British minister at
Venezuela as a result Of the boundary
trouble Sir Vincent has stood as the rep
resentative Briton in that country. He
Is AT the head of the syndicate of London
capitalists who built the. railroad from
Caracas to Laguayara, thus connecting
the capital with the chief sea port. AT
La Guayara the syndicate built an arti-
fetal harbor with break waters and stone
wharVes, at a cost of several millions.
Sir Vincent manages these extensive
British interests and his appeals that
they can be foStered best by a settle
ment with Venezuela viii doubtless have
an important influence on the foreign
Office.
Their Purpose.
Senior Andreade. the Venezuelan minis
Ter here, when asked as to Germanys
purpose, said he had not been informed
Of any intention to acquire any of the
islands for a, naval station, although he
WIS acquainted with the investment of
German capital in the railroad and the
guarantee given by the Venezuelan gov
eminent The information reaching here
however, has come from other sources.
It is believed the new United States nlfn-
lister to Venezuela, Mr. Thomas, who has
just left for his post, is fully conversant
with the German phase of the subject.
i is understood also that the new German
ambassador. who is soon to arrive. is
likely - have a full understanding OF
Germany's desires concerning Venezuela.
WAS THE MATES FAVTTT