Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-12-17
CASTRO IN IAD R[PU|E
President of Venezuela Has For.
feited the Confidence OF
Uncle Sam.
Cur Minister Insulted and Wills
fled and All Americans
Ill Treated.
Castro Regarded as Little More
Than an Adventurer..Ger.
many's Claims.


from the United States saying that this
government will not interfere If Ger
many seeks to collect her claims against
Venezuela, printed in that country and
severely criticised by the Venezuelans.
reflect the true feeling at Washington
There has not been departure from the
Monroe doctrine In a single particular.
but nothing in that doctrine, as it has
been interpreted by successive secreta-
ries of state, contemplates interference
by this country with any nation seeking
to collect a claim from an American
country SO long as the proceedings in
this line contemplate no permanent oc-
cupation of territory on this continent.
The United States shares in the gen.
eral feeling against the Venezuelan gov
eminent as now administered by Presi-
fed our representative to his country,
and it has been only the extreme for
bearance of our government in dealing
with weaker nation that has prevented
US from administering a corrective to
Castro. While just now the information
at the state department indicates that
the possibility of war between Argen-
tina and Chill is much greater than an
armed demonstration in Venezuela, the
fact is not lost sight of that Castro's
sway is uncertain. He has robbed the
people at every opportunity. He has in
suited and defied every nation with
which he has dealings, just as he now
defles Germany in urging claim In
which there is every indication of Jus
tice.
In addition to the claims for damages
as the result of the last revolution in
Venezuela, there is claim Of nearly
100000 on account of railroad subsi-
dies granted German contractors and
guaranteed by the Venezuelan govern
ment. The government repudiates these
claims without offering an excuse. It
refuses to even consider them. 1t urges
that it has offered territory in satisfac-
ton OF the claims, knowing full we'll
that no foreign nation can accept such
an offer without running afoul of the
well-known Monroe doctrine Of the
United States.
There is mass Of evidence in the pos
session of the United States government
to show that Castro is but an adventure
err. He secured his present position as
the head of the government thru treach-
erous revolution. Ever since he has been
the chief executive he has ground out Of
the people by taxation and open leyies
every cent he could. But spark Is
needed to kindle the fire OF revolution
under him. He is prepared for just such
an event. A government yacht is kept
at his command, in which he can leave
the country when an uprising occurs. In
one of the leading financial institutions
in Paris he has bad, according to the
last advices thru confidential sources,
not less than 100000
Fearing a revolution among his own
people directed against him, Castro
seeks to unite popular sentiment against
a foreign foe by defiance to Germany
or to Colombia, and thus postpone the
inevitable day of reckoning for himself,
which he knows can not be long post
poned.
The seizure by Germany of Venezue-
Ian part may bring to the United States
some embarrassing situations. This will
be particularly true if Castro carries out
his threat to Immediately declare free
trade for all countries sending products
into Venezuela. 1t will hardly be effect
i've as our own supreme court has held
that special taxes may be levied under
such circumstances as those which
would be presented by Germany's at
tempt to collect her claims. The United
states will be neutral and will regret
step on the part OF Germany against
Venezuela, but there will be no inter-
ference with Germany's program If
there is a disclaimer OF an intention to
occupy territory on the continent. The
insults offered to our own minister
which resulted In his withdrawal from
the country, and the constant disregard
of international courtesy in Venezuela's
dealings with the United States. are still
100 fresh In the minds of officials of our
government to offer any hope Of inter-
yention by this country II Venezuela be-
comes involved.