The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-12-30
EUROPE WILL FOLLOW
THE LEAD OF GERMANY
Claims Against South American Republics to
Be Pressed in Accordance With Prece-
dent Established in Venezuelan Affair
Special Dispatch to The Call.

ALL BUREAU, 1406 G STREET,
n n. w. WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.-
Following a forcible collection by
~ Germany of claims held by her
subjects against Venezuela
Rrance. Great Britain and perhaps other
countries probably will take similar ac-
5fon. Even war between Germany and
Venezuela is not considered improbable
A precedent Of the greatest Importance
has been already established in the Ger
raan-Venezuelan dispute and it will serve
as a basis for European collections of
claims in other countries Of Central and
South America.
Intangible as the Monroe doctrine had
been before German representations had
developed the attitude Of the United
states. there was no indisDosition on the
part Of the powers to so further than dip
lomatic representations, or even the
severance Of diplomatic relations, to OBJ
tain from American republics compensa-
ton for injuries suffered by the persons
and property Of their subjects. The oc-
cunatiOn of the Nicaraguan port Of Cor
into by British marines and the acton OF
italy in compelling Colombia to satisfy
the award Of the President Of the United
States in the matter OF the CerFut1 claims
have been referred to as precedents for
German procedure.
Stretching the Monroe Doctrine.
These incidents are not on a par with
the proposed action Of Germany. The
seizure Of Corinto grew out of indignities
Bluefields and some twenty other British
subjects, residing in the Mosquito reser-
walton, and the affairs IN that reservation
were at the time matter OF negotiation
between the United States and Great Brit
ain, as well as between Nicaragua and
Great Britain.
The Italian demonstration in Colombian
waters was to obtain the payment OF the
award OF President cleveland
The United States has had no connection
whatever with the German claims: Ihey
have developed as a result Of injuries and
dana ges suffered by the persons and
property of German subjects and by the
default Of Venezuela. of its interest on a
railroad loan granted her by German CAPT
taIists.
Other nations have similar claims
against Venezuela and thev and Germany
as well hold claims against other Central
and South American countries So the in
tended action of Germany is Of the high
and Old World.
Other Nations Intend to Act.
Secretary Hay has had ample evidence
Of this fact. Al Of the representatives Of
the great nations have made inquiries of
the Secretary as to the purposes Of the
Kaiser and of the policy Of the United
States and the natural inference Is that
their governments contemplate pursuing a
policy identical with tnat Of Germany.
ezueIa. Great Britain also has large
claims One Of the questions over which
the authorities are pOndeTing is: with
France and Great Britain, Immediately
after Germany obtains. the money Ven
ezuela owes her subjects, inform the
Caracas Government that they want their
claims paid and that they will use force
if the money be not Immediately forth
coming?"
Fortunately for the good relations which
exist between the United States and Ger
many. the latter Government has made no
cOncealment Of its plans. In view OF Ger
manv's purpose not to acquire Venezuelan
territory. il is said that the United States.
by virtue Of its own declaration, can have