The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-10
Circulation Statement.
Asphalt and intervention.

Asphalt and Intervention.
Certain newspaper signs of considera-
BILE significance seem TO indicate that an
effort is about 10 be made to create a
public sentiment in this country favor
able to Intervention in the difficulty be-
tween the South American States o.
Venezuela and Colombia. The ball was
set rolling yesterday, in an almost hys-
terical editorial in a New York Admin
istration organ rather noted for its ex-
treme friendliness to the Asphalt Trust.
The journal in question begged the Ad-
ministration to remember the Monroe
Doctrine, how President Castro object
ed to the connection of the American
Minister at Caracas with the affairs of
the trust and that the rebels in Colom-
bia are making such Roadway that the
Andrade asphalt movement in Vene-
zuela. upon the success of which de-
ponds the monopoly of the asphalt de-
posits is in danger of collapse.
There is no apparent room for doubt
that in case the tide of affairs in Nene-
zuela and Colombia should threaten TO
turn in favor of President Castro in the
some, and of his friend, the Liberal lead
er. Uribe-Uribe. in the other, the As
phalt Trust will insist upon interven-
ton by the United States and the ex-
pulsion of Castro from power. That
would ensure the dictatorship of An
drade. and it would be trite to say that
one of his first official acts would be to
eject all the other concessionaires and
turn over the entire area of asphalt de-
posts to the trust.
Would the Administration lend itself
to the interests and purposes of the
trust to the extent of making war for
its benefit? That is question more
easily asked than answered. Perhaps
it would, if it could be done without ex
citing too much public criticism and
outcry Just now our pastors and mas
tiers are inclined to be on their good be-
havior, although they are making a
poor fist of it in the matter of the
Sampson scandal They have that on
their hands, and the steel strike, which |
may have uncomfortable political con- |
sequences. and they could hardly afford |
TO load up with 50 serious cause of |
public offence as the invasion of
friendly State and the subyersion of its |
Government merely to further the plans |
of monopoly which is net any too pop |
ular with the American people.
If. however, the business could be |
done under cover, and particularly if !
the Monroe Doctrine could be invoked /
coicrably--which is very doubtful-it
would be different matter. The situa
ton at Panama offers a hole for the en-
tering wedge, and from that base al
most anything might be managed. The
merits of the family disturbance down
in those ATTITUDES have nothing to do
with the. case, as far as they would be
likely to affect the action of our author
tiles. The revolution in Colombia is
against tyranny and for liberaIinstitu-
tons. and a free government. But the
revolutionists are friendly to President
Castro. of Venezuela. who will not be
bcssed or bullied by the Asphalt Trust.
Hence. the Administration influence at
the bottom is on the side of the reac-
tionary party in power at Bogota. 1t
will be possible to help it greatly by
holding the Isthmus Of Panama, while
Alban, dictator of Colombia, attends TO
The insurgents elsewhere. Then such
further action can be taken as the for
tunes of war may suggest. If they
should go against Castro, nothing more
need be done; but if the struggle should
END in strengthening that statesman.
then the Administration reluctantly
would have to fall back upon It's notice
TO Venezuela that any decision of her
court OF last resort must be held as
subject to revision" in Washington.
If it should happen to be adverse to the
Asphalt Trust.
The New York initiator Of the inter-
vention movement almost screams with
the fear that IL the Government does
not strike at once there will be a gem
eral descent upon the South American
coast by foreign Powers. But the ap-
prehension is as groundless as its ex-
preston is insincere. There is not the
danger that any outsiders will
NEEDLE in that quarter, with the excep-
ton of Andrade and his asphalt bril-
gade. possibly assisted by American
marines and bluejackets. The mere
question OF preserving the peace on the
line of the Panama Railway IS a small
and can be easily disposed of. |
Should Mr.. McKinley's advisers induce
him 10 go much further, It would be !
large and grave matter. The country is
not as blind to the meaning of recent
kitchen cabinet phenomena as perhaps ]
Some influential persons may imagine