The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-07
Circulation Statement.


to two American corporations, does not
detract either from the interest or the
gravity of the situation. One of the con-
Germs referred to is the great Asphalt
Trust. whose officers and magnates are
VIGOROUSLY close to Republican leaders,
and influential with the Administration.
1t is this favored corporation that the
Venezuelan Government is trying to dis
possess of the Lake Felicidad asphalt de
posits on the ground that they were
never included in the New York and
Bermudez' concessions. as granted to the
trust. but fall definitely within the boun-
diaries conceded to the opposition COM
pany.
1t is not improbable that carelessness
and corruption may have marked the
granting of the trust concessions. and the
rival one as well. That is not the prime
consideration at present. There are
others more Immediately pertinent. The
Asphalt Trust displays a map in which
its concession is bounded on one side by
a meandering line, said to be more or
less illogical, but which, if acknowledged,
would seem to include Lake Feiicidad.
The Venezuelan Government map OF the
same concession is reported to show a
straight line. which does not give the
lake TO the trust, and this, it is said on
the part of Venezuela. was TO have been
the original intention and agreement,
plainly deducible not only from the Off
cial map but from the text OF the public
decree and documents upon which are
based whatever rights the Asphalt Trust
could claim within the territory of the
State.
In the interests OF the second concession
granted to the smaller American asphalt
company, the Venezuelan Government has
ordered and required the trust to vacate
Lake Felicidad. and to confine its opera
tons to within its legitimate bounds. But
the trust has the ear and backing Of the
Washington Administration, and some
startling developments and movements are
imminent. The trust already is holding
the disputed ground by armed force. moral
ly supported by three American war yes
seis at La Guayra. The State Department,
it is alleged. has peremptorily notified the
Government at Caracas that it must not
attempt to dispossess the trust, and yes
terday the impression was general in
Washington that in the event this notice
should be ignored. 4 force of American
marines and bluejackets would land, in-
wade the country, and take armed posses
sion OF the asphalt deposits on behalf of
the trust.
As this would be an act OF war. and
necessarily would be so regarded by Vene-
zuela, it is likely. even If the matter go
no further than executive intention. to
excite criticism and angry debate in Con-
gress The whole question OF the right of
the President. without the authority of
the war making branch of the Govern
ment, TO defy the sovereignty of friendly
nations and TO invade their territory with
military forces, on any pretext that may
seem sufficient to the Administration, is
brought to the front by this Venezuelan.
AFFAIR
Venezuela is not China, Il is not a
barbarcus country where civilized powers
demand or exercise extra territorial
rights. 1t is a full-fedged sovereign
State and a member IN good standing of
the family of nations. This Government
is not entitled to treat it in any way that
it would not treat Germany or Russia in
like circumstances!
To this proposition 1t may be objected
that the Alaskan precedent is against us.
Upon analysis it will not 50 appear In
the Alaskan case the Canadians arbitraT-
lily set up n claim to the rich Porcupine
gold district which was unquesticnably
American under the cession from Russia.
and. therefore. Russian by treaty agree
ment with Great Britain and 4 prescrip-
tion of fifty years. 1t had been settled
and developed by Americans and was
recognized American mining district.
The Canadian authorities invaded X with
force Of mounted police, seized and for
tilted it, and ordered all American min
ers within It's confines TO secure titles 20
their claims, from, and to pay licenses,
taxes. and customs duties 20 their new
masters. OF course. under any Admins
tratlon preceding the present one in the
whole history OF the United States, there
would have been prompt British evacua-
tion or a fight As 1t was, however. the
looted territory was surrendered, and our
lldB Hdulcu HONus NILAJuL protest OF muir
muir.
Because this Government submitted 10
an act Of war and a gross outrage upon
its territorial integrity. and. far from re-
senting. approved and ratified the inva-
sion and seizure, il does not follow that
any other independent State is bound TO
permit a similar act Of hostility and pi-
racy on our part without resentment. war.
or, II too weak 10 meet us in battle then
by en- appeal to the Powers generally. for
an order or arbitration, such as the nj ed
States served upon Great Britain in the
matter Of the Venezuelan boundary els
pute a few years ago.
Before the Administration interfered in
the matter the asphalt trouble was one
between two rival foreign corporations.
both claiming concessionary rights in a
given place. The merits OF their claims,
IL appears. mad been considered and passed
upon by the Venezuelan Government 1t
was a purely commercial and municipal
difference to be settled by the sovereign
authority OF Venezuela. II the decision
had been favorable to the party supported
by the political allies of the trusts gen
orally in Washington. we should have
beard nothing about peremptory notes,