The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-06-18
vExED QUESTION
United States May Again Be
Involved in Venezuela.


WASHINGTON, June is.-There * reason
30 believe that the United States govern
ment will have occasion at no distant day
TO give another Interpretation of the Mon
roe doctrine as applicable to the acquisi-
ton of an island of the coast of Vene-
zuela to bc used by Germany for a naval
station. The attention of the officials re-
cently has been directed to the interests of
Germany In that locality, and there Is ap-
prehension that the subject may assume
quito as formidable an aspect as that Of
British aggression on Venezuelan soil.
An enormous amount of German capital
has been invested in Venezuela Of late un-
der peculiar circumstances. The govern
ment wanted n railroad through a rich
and productive valley and German syn
dictate stood ready 10 build tho road on
condition that Venezuela would guaran-
tee per cent on the capital invested. The
guarantee was given and the road com
pleted and put into operation about eight
months ago. The actual outlay reached
about $S,0O0,000 BY the terms of the
guarantee Venezuela now becomes respon-
sibls TO the German syndicate for per
cent return on this SS,000,0 900. The road
has not been In operation long enough to
determine what IL will earn, but its most
sanguine promoters do not claim that it
will pay per cent on the outlay. What
ever 4. earns will bc applied on the invest
ment and |enezuela then will have TO
give sufficient TO bring the earnings up to
7per cent.
Germany Looking For Naval Station.
It Is said TO be this and other similar
German interests thst are inclining the
German government TO regard with favor
the acquisition Of an island off the Vene-
xuelan coast, to be used as a naval station
and as a sort Of base of operations for Ger
many on the American continent. The
guarantee of Venezuela TO the German
syndicate Is Of q private character, the
German government having no interest
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 desires
for tho acquisition of naval station.
The circumstances are such as TO lead to
the behef that the United States will be
called upon again To define TO what extent
the acquisition Of territory by foreign
powers on South American soil is com
patible with the Monroe doctrine. Great
Britain already possesses an island at the
mouth Of the 0rinoico, on which a power
ful naval station has been established.
There are two other islands nearby owned
by Venezuela, either of which would be
we'll adapted to 6ermany's needs. There
is another large island farther up the
coast, but II constitutes a province of
Venezuela, and it's people have such in
tense loyalty to Venezuela that they have
been named New Spartans" They un-
doubtedly would resist any separation,
,t.,I it
Wants British Interests Guarded
At the moment that this German phase
Of the Venezuelan question Is making its
appearance, the British branch Of the sub
lect Is presenting more favorable aspect.
Official intelligence has recently reached
here that Sir Vincent Darlington, repro
senting the most extensive British inter-
ests In Venezuela, has most strongly
urged upon the British government the
Importance Of an amicable settlement with
Venezuela as a means Of protecting British
Investments in that country.
Sonor Andrade, the Venezuelan minis
ter here when asked as to Germany's pur-
pose, said he had not been informed of any
intention to acquire ono of the Venezuelan
islands for naval station, although he
was acquainted with tho Investment Of
German capital in the railroad and the
guarantee giving by the Venezuelan gov
ernment. The information reaching the
authorities here, however, has come from
other sources. 10 is believed that the new
United States minister TO Venezuela, Mr.
Thomas, who just left for his post, is fully
conversant with the German phase of the
subject. 1t is understood also that the
new German ambassador, who Is soon To
arrive, is likely to have a full understand
ing of Gsrmanys desires concerning Ven
szuela.