The San Francisco call., 1901-11-30
VENEZUELA
IS ON VERGE
Of A CRISIS
President Castro's Con-
ceit Will Cause Him
Trouble.
United States, Germany and
Colombia Have Scores
to Settle.
Unless the Arrogant Chief Executive
Changes His Tactics He Will Be
Confronted by Foreign
Warships.
Special Dispatch to The call.


CALL BUREAU. 14O6 STREET. N.
W., WASHINGTON, Nov. 2s.-The con-
temptuous disregard by the present Gov
ernment of Venezuela Of the rights Of
foreigners in that country and its defiant
attitude in diplomatic intercourse with
other nations is steadily leading up to a
crisis, which, in the opinion of well-in-
formed persons here, cannot be long de-
layed. The United States. Germany and
Colombia have scores to settle with Cen
eral Castro, President of the republic,
who gained his present position by force
of arms. and is apparently seeking to re-
unite all factions in his country through
! an appeal to their patriotism to stand
firm against alleged foreign aggression
In refusing at this critical period in her
affairs to resume diplomatic relations with
| Venezuela, the Government of Colombia
| has thrown down a challenge which may
precipitate a conflict that will mean
either Castro's overthrow or his assump-
ton of greater power than he now holds.
Predict an Early Clash.
Men here who have been observing the
| situation carefully with a better knowl-
| edge of what is going on than is possessed
/
! states look for clash at an early day
that will make the turning point in the
fortunes of Castro.
| The difficulties between the United
States and Venezuela were practically CO.
incident with the assumption of the pres
| idency by Castro His attitude toward this
Government in the asphalt controversy
was regarded by the United States as de-
fant and almost insulting The course Of
| the United States in resembling the order
| for gunboats to proceed to the port near
/ est the Pitch Lake region for the UNDER
stood purpose of preventing the Venezue-
| Ian authorities from dispossessing the
New York and Bermudez Company was
| regarded by Castro as an indication OF
fear of this Government to engage in hos
| tilities with him. Although the transfer
of the asphalt controversy to Venezuelan
| courts for adjudication was believed to
have forestalled any prospect of clash,
| friction still exists and new causes have
| arisen to bring about the resumption OF
| the former uncertain situation.
President Castro's Conceit.
Castro's treatment of Francis B. Loomis
/ United States Minister to Venezuela, was
deeply resented by the washington admin
istration. whose action in recalling
| Ioornis, however, was regarded by Castro
| as another tribute to fear of his strength.
which he believed he had inspired in the
! minds of those controlling American at
fairs.
| That Castro has been encouraging the
| efforts to overthrow the present Con-
servative Government of Colombia is gem
| eralIv believed here. Colombia's notice
| tn Venezuela that she will not resume
dinIomatic relations has been confirmed
at the State Department in telegram re-
ceivad to-day from Hart. United States
Minister at Bogota, and while this does
not necessarily mean conflict will fol-
! low. it places the two republics in reia-
tions even more delicate than heretofore
existed.
Castro is threatened from still another
quarter. This Government has not been
unnnindfuI of the tone Of the German
press on the question of Germany's claims
against Venezuela. One newspapers ut
terance. believed to be inspired. was to
tho effect that Germany's only hesitation
in sending warships to Venezuela to make
| that country pay it's indebtedness to Ger
II
man concerns came from fear CT run
ming afoul of the Monroe doctrine.
No Interference With Germany.
There is reason to believe the admin
istration is aware the Berlin Ministry is
even considering the matter with view
to action.
| While collection by forcible measures
of debts due foreign subjects by Latin
American republics is not regarded with
favor by the United States there is lit
tie. if any, danger that this Government
will attempt in anyway to interfere with
Germany in making demand on Ven
! ezueIa backed by feet Of warships for
the fuIfillment of governmental obliga-
tions to German subjects.
From some source officials here have
| obtained the impression that Castro is de-
pending on the application by the United
States of the principle enunciated by Pres
ident Monroe to secure immunity from
| German disciplinary measures. That Cas-
tro. If he holds that belief, is very much
mistaken is frankly admitted.
i