Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1896-02-12
VENEZUELA is HAPPY
HER PRESIDENT HAS RESUMED HIS
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS.


fete, and gilt laced soldiers, with faces
of as many different shades as their i'll
fitting uniforms, have filed the streets
from the Casa Amarillo ON the north to
the Church of Santa Teresa on the south.
Martial music, too, has stirred the pop
ulace SO that for the while the sword
hanging over their heads in the form of
the English "ultimatum has been en-
tirely forgotten.
The cause of all this pomp and cere-
mony is the fact that General joaquin
Crespo, constitutional president of the
republic, resumes the executive power,
as it is called, and has filled the four
long vacant portfolios in the national
cabinet. The president has been away at
his country seat in Maracay for months,
and many and great have been the
changes during his long absence-a cab
met crisis, in which four ministers were
discovered plotting treason threatened
war with Great Britain over the Guiana
boundary, and the outbreak of revolu-
ton throughout the republic.
These and other minor international
complications with France, Spain and
Germany over the nonpayment of pend
ing claims failed to ruff1e General Ores
Pc in his rustic diversions. The soldier
president continued to enjoy the balmy
air of Maracay, ever and anon writing
of the blessings Of peace and liberty
with which he was surrounded, while
acting President Acevedo foundered
about in the puddle At last he has re-
turned to "face the music" and from
present appearances it will be a full
brass band, for it is said that both
France and Spain have decided to join
England in taking coercive measures for
the collection of what is known as the
diplomatic debt. +"
It will be remembered that Venezu-
ella summarily dismissed the ministers
of all the foreign governments represent
ed in Caracas in March, 1895, except
That of the United States. The only two
ministers then there were the French and
Belgian, Marquis de Montclair and M.
Ledegauk, respectively. The others
CHANGED to be away on leave of absence
just at that time or they would all have
shared a similar fate, for the govern
ment of Venezuela was outraged at their
having suggested to their respective
governments the organization of
"mixed tribunal" to pass upon certain
unpaid claims.
Since this unfortunate occurrence
Venezuela has tried in vain to re-estab-
Oh, ,,,1o Valuations with Eranoa
and Belgium, declaring that the act was
in no way intended as an atfront to
either nation, but merely expressed the
fact that the minister in question was
not persona grata" France has re-
fused to be appeased, however, and
when Venezuela sent new consul to
st. Nazaire the French government de-
clined to receive him. Crespo has been
persistent in his desire to make up"
and now it is said on the best authority
that France has decided to renew rela
lions with Venezuela, but that she will
send man-of-war with her old minis
ter, the Marquis de Montclair, to whom
the government of Venezuela must apol-
ogize.
The money due these countries is the
old back debt upon claims of foreign
subjects during the revolution of 1892
France and Spain, it is said, are both
tired Of waiting, and unless the money
is paid Immediately will use force to
collect it. Germany, too, it is said, has
about exhausted her patience waiting
for the per cent guaranteed interest on
the bonds of the German railroad be-
tween Caracas and Valencia, and for
more than month German feet of
six vessels has been expected at La
Guayra to demand this money, which
ex-Minister of Finance Matos promised
to pay, but did not.
On the whole it looks as though the
financial condition of Venezuela and
the failure to meet her international OBJ
legations will be the cause of concerted
action on the part of the European pow
ers to test the Monroe doctrine. Though
the United States may justly interfere
in the Guiana boundary question, as it
means an extension Of British dominion
on this continent by force Of arms, there
is no excuse to NEEDLE with the other
nations in their intention to collect old
debts.
The above is simple statement of
Venezuela's foreign relations on the au-
thority of one who is in a position to
know, so that it looks as though Presi-
dent Crespo and his new cabinet will
find more thorns than roses in their path
way.
1t is hoped that the presence of Gen
eral Crespo will in a manner restore
public confidence and tend to revive
business, that has been suffering from
suspended animation for such long
time. The president is, however, by no
means we'll man. and his friends are
very much alarmed over his condition.
He has been confined to his bed for over
week, and no one seems to know ex
actly the cause of his illness. Some say
that he was overcome by the sun during
his stay in the country, and that his
brain is affected; others that his trouble
is an organic affection of the heart In
innate friends, however, claim that it is
only an acute attack of intermittent