The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-21
SITUATION Is ALARMING
Grave Difficulties Confront the Gov.
ernment on Venezuelan Question.
EUROPEAN POWERS THREATEN
False Step May Arouse Great Britain.
Germany, France and Belgium-Bay.
ard Unequal to the Mosquito
Troubles Powers Want Cash.

Washington, March 20.--The prospect
Of serious complications which threat
ems the United States through prob
able encroachment on Venezuela and
Nicaragua 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 afternoon to consider
the subject. There is no doubt what
ever that these subjects are considered
by the president and Secretary
Gresham as of much greater import To
this country than the Allianca Incl
dent. or the recall of Minister Thurs
ton. and must be handled with unusual
delicacy. and with the knowledge that
Il misstep may plunge the government
into embarrassing complications with
not one, but several of the principal
European nations.
The conference was attended by the
4. president, Secretary Gresham, Secre-
tary Carlisle Attorney General Olney
and Secretary Lamont. 1t lasted sew
eral hours but Mr.. Lamont withdrew
after brief attendance. Mr.. Gresham
took with him to the white house the
official copies of much Of the recent
correspondence on both the Venezuela
and the Nicaraguan situations. and he
remained with Mr.. Cleveland some
time after his colleagues had left. 1t
cannot be learned whether any addi-
tional information in the matter
reached the state department today,
but it is said that Mr.. Bayard has
failed to arrange the Mosquito troubles
with the British government in man.
ner satisfactory to the United States.
Great Britain's ultmatum to Nicara-
qua demanding an indemnity for the
expulsion of Mr.. Hatch the British con-
sular agent. from Bluetields, and the
report that a British warship is on her
way to enforce the demand, is the lat
est known serious phase of the difficult
ties growing out of the Bluetelds af-
fair, and as action by this government
may involve a new construction Of the
Monroe doctrine, it can be seen how
slowly and carefully the president and
his advisers are obliged to feel their
way to prevent any possibility of blum
der or to neglect any advantage that
might weaken the practical sponsor
ship which the United States govern
ment holds over the South American
and Central American republics.
Strong Advcrsarics Appear.
In the Venezuelan affair the United
States government finds itself opposed
10 such strong adversaries as Great
Britain. France and Germany with
Belgium as an incidental factor. The
settlement of the claim of Great
Britain to certain Venezuelan territory
is the main cause for alarm, and to this
Is added the prospect that Germany
will send warships to collect a large
amount of money guaranteed German
contractors for the construction Of the
Central Venezuelan railroad
France and Belgium have a common
ground for action disturbing to the
peace of the little South American re-
public. namely, the expulsion of the
French and Belgium ministers from
that country. Both governments have
protested against the expulsion, and
France will send naval vessel to take
their ENJOYS home. The Monroe doc
trine and it's ramifications contain
ample authority, it is said, for the
United States to display an active in
terest 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, it is under
stood to be the belief of this govern
ment that all four of the powers in
volved will join issue in opposition to
the United States to secure their sew
era. ends. and such amaIgamation Is
likely to beget desire on the part Of
all to extend their dominion.
The conference at the White House
today was necessarily of a strictly
secret character, but it Is learned to-
night on good authority that no definite
action was agreed on.