The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-04
SAID VERY CONTINUOUSLY.
This Country Not to Take a
Hand in the Venezuelan
Dispute.
LITTLE REPUBLICS ANXIOUS
VIII Uncle Sam Allow Creditor
Nations to Collect Debts From
Them by Force?

WASHINGTON, d. c., April 3.-There
is reason to believe that the British Gov
eminent has given our ambassador, Mr..
Bayard, to understand, in response to his
representation in the Venezuelan boun-
dairy matter on his suggestion that it be
submitted to arbitration, that it must per-
sist to regard the subject as one in which
Great Britain and Venezuela are alone
concerned. Of course the idea was set out
very automatically and courteously so as
to avoid giving offense as far as possible
while still making it plain that the United
States could not be regarded as having any
proper interest in the matter.
So, as it stands, the British Government
still insists upon its absolute title and right
to occupy all the territory to the eastward
of the Schoomberg line, while protesting
willingness to submit to arbitrate its claim
to the lands lying west of that line. This was
the offer made to Venezuela years ago, and
it 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
in behalf of Venezuela by declaring pro-
tectorate over that country with the assent
of this country, and behind this suggestion
is at least one of the great European coun-
tries who would be glad to have its rela-
lions with the disturbed countries of South
and Central America on stable basis, so
that 1t might look to some thoroughly re-
sponsible, highly civilized government to
insure the permanency of trade and pre-
vent frequent revolutions.
But to concede the necessity for such a
protectorate as prerequisite to interfere to
prevent the acquisition of American terri
tory by any European power would amount
to remuneration of the Monroe doctrine
by the United States, and this cannot be
contemplated by the administration.
There are indications that the British
foreign officials are willing to discuss this
feature of the case with Mr.. Bayard at
length, and so things may drag along for
many months unless collision occurs be-
tween the British and Venezuelan forces in
the disputed territory or the Minnesota
syndicate for les negotiations by begin
ming operations under the large concession
it has obtained from Venezuela of lands in
that territory.
The apparent effects of Mr.. Bayard's eff
forts are being watchen with intense inter-
est by all the diplomatic interests of the
South and Central American countries
stationed in Washington. One of these
representatives., in speaking on the SUBJ
ject, said a majority of South American
republics were staggering under foreign
debts and were unable longer to meet their
obligations. The question confronting
these countries is whether the United
States will stand by and allow the creditor
nations to collect these debts by force
Meanwhile to strengthen their claim for
protection upon the United States there is
in progress among the smaller and weaker
republics movement to entangle their in
terests with our own so as to make it
matter of deep concern to our people should
any European power attack them.