The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-03-21
A MONROE DOCTRINE CRISIS.
FOUR EUROPEAN POWERS IN AR
RAY AGAINST Us.

Grave Danger of Serious COmpIica-
tiOns Over the Demands Made on
Venezuela and Nicnragua-Uncle
sam I'm the Position OF sponsor for
the Central and south American
RepubIics-The situation Discuss
ed at n Special Conference of the
Cabinet at Washington.
Washington. March 2O.-The prospect Of
serious complications which threatens the
United States through probable European
encroachment on Venezuela and Nicara-
qua has assumed phase Of such danger
to the principle laid down in the Monroe
doctrine that special cabinet conference
was held at the white house this after
noon to consider the subject There is
no doubt that these subjects are consider
ed by the President and Secretary Gresh-
am as Of much greater importance to this
country than the Alliance incident. or the
recall of Minister Thurston, and must be
handled with unusual delicacy and with
the knowledge that a misstep may plunge
the government into embarrassing compli-
cations with not one. but several of the
principal European nations.
The conference was attended by the
President, Secretary Gresham. Secretary
Carlisle, Attorney General Olney and
Secretary Lamont II lasted several hours,
but Mr.. Lamont withdrew after a brief
attendance. Mr.. Gresham took with him
to the white house the official copies OF
Of ha ~
both Venezuelan and Nicaraguan situa-
tlons, and he remained with Mr.. Cleve-
land some time after his colleagues had
left 1t cannot be learned whether any
additional information in the matter
reached the state department to-day, but
it is said that Mr.. Bayard has failed to
arrange the Mosquito troubles with the
British government in a manner satisfac-
tory to the United States.
Great Britains ultimatum TO Nicaragua
demanding an indemnity for the expul-
sion of MIR. Hatch, the British consular
agent. from Bluefelds and the report that
a British warship is on her way to enforce
the demand is the latest known serious
phase of the difficulties growing out Of
the Bluefields affair. and as action by
this government may involve a new con-
struction of the Monroe doctrine. it can
be seen how slowly ana carefully the
President and his advisers are obliged to
feel their way to prevent any possibility
of blunder, or to neglect any advantage
that might weaken the practical sponsor
ship which the United States government
holds over the South American and Cen
trail American republics.
In the Venezuelan affair the United
States government finds itself opposed TO
such strong adversaries as Great Brit
ain, France and Germany, with Belgium
as an incidental factor. The settlement of
the claim of Great Britain to certain Ven
ezuelan territory is the main cause for
alarm, and to this is added the prospect
that Germany will send warships to col
lect a large amount of money guaranteed
German contractors for the construction
of the Central Venezuela railroad
France and Belgium have a common
ground for action disturbing the peace of
the little South American. republic. name
ly: The expulsion of the French and
Belgian ministers from that country. Both
governments have protested against the
expulsion, and France will send a naval
vessel to take their ENJOYS home
The Monroe doctrine and its ramihca-
tions contain ample authority, II is said,
for the United States to display an active
interest in the threatening attitude of
Great Britain and Germany. and, while
the probable action of France and Bel
gium does not seemingly come within
the scope of the doctrine, 1t is under
stood to be the belief of this govern
ment that all four of the powers involved
will join issue in opposition to the United
States to secure their several ends, and
such an amalgamation is likely to beget
a desire on the part of all to extend their
dominions.
The conference at the white house to-
day was necessarily of a strictly secret
character, but it is learned tonight, on
good authority, that no definite action was
agreed on.