The sun., 1901-11-30
CRISIS NEAR In VENEZUELA.
CASTRO STEERING HIS COUNTRY
INTO TROUBLE.
Presidents Disregard OF fForeigners' Rights
and His Discourtesy Resented by This
Government; and Others -Colombia's
Refusal TO Resume Diplomatic Rela.
ti0ns-Germany May Use Force.

Refusal 10 Resume Diplomatic Rela.
tions-tiermsny May Use Force.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 29.-The contemptu-
GUS disregard by the present Radical Gov
ernment Of Venezuela of the rights Of for
eigners in that country and its defiant atti-
tude In diplomatic intercourse with other
nations are steadily leading up TO a crisis
which, in the opinion OF well-informed
persons here, cannot be long delayed.
The United States. Germany and Colombia
have scores TO settle with Gen. Castro,
the President Of the republic, who gained
his present ofice by force of arms and is
apparently seeking to reunite all factions
in his country through an appeal to their
pat triotism 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 the challenge which may
precipitate a conflict that will mean either
Castros overthrow or his assumption Of
greater power than he now holds. Men
here. who have been observing the situa-
tion carefully with better knowledge Of
what is going on than is possessed by the
press and people Of the United States
look TO a clash at an early day that will mark
the turning point in the fortunes of Castro.
The difficulties between the United
States and Venezuela were practically
coincident with the assumption of the
Presidency by Castro. His attitude to-
ward this Government in the asphalt con-
troversy was regarded by the United States
as defiant and almost insulting What
h. ha MARTA ~ st
in resembling the pitch lake concession
Of the New York and Bermudez Company,
he is said to have shown an utter disregard
for international courtesy In his dealings
with the Administration at Washington
and its diplomatic representatives at Carac-
as The course Of the United States in
resembling the order for gunboats TO pro-
ceed to the port nearest the pitch lake
region for the understood purpose OF pre-
venting the Venezuelan authorities from
dispossessing the New York and Bermudez
Company. was regarded by Castro as an
indication of the fear Of this Government
to engage in hostilities with him. and his
position among the venezuelans was un-
doubtedly strengthened by his defiance
Of a great nation.
Although the transfer Of the asphalt
controversy to the Venezuelan courts
for adjudication was believed 10 have
forestalled. any prospect OF a clash, the
friction stilb exists and new causes have
arisen to bring about a resumption Of the
former uncertain situation. Castros |
treatment of Francis B. Loomis. the United
States Minister To Venezuela, was deeply |
resented by the Washington Administra-
however, was regsrded by Castro as an
other tribute TO the fear OF his strength |
watch he believed he had inr,, ,,.rod 40 ,ne /
minds Of those controlling American affairs. |
That Castro has been encouraging the |
efforts 20 overthrow the present Conserya- |
tive Government OF Colombia II generally |
believed here. Filibustering expeditions |
against Colombia were fitted out in Vene-
zuela and every effort was made, appar-
emily, TO bring about O war between the |
two count ries II was only by the merest /
chance that hostilities were not precipi- /
tated Colombia's notice 20 Venezuela |
that she will not resume diplomatic re-
lations has been confirmed Co the state
Depart ment ia a telegram received to-day |
from Mr. Hart, the United States Minister /
at Bogota and while this does not neces-
sarily mean that conflict will follow, it /
places the two republics Ia relations even .
more delicate than have heretofore exlsttd. .
The mystery of Colombia radical action /
lice In her seeming unprepareiness FOR I
foreign war with nation regarded a. /
more powerful With an internal rc-
b.llion raging and her territory stre~n /
With the havoc Of two years of war. IN .
which 1900 people have Lost their lives,
Colombia would seem TO have a poor .
chance Of success against Nsnezuela II .
10 believed here. however, NAT she must I
have some good reason for confidence .
that Castro will not have an easy task .
should his foTo.z invade Colombia
Castro l. threatened from stii another .
quarter 1hz Government has nO bc'n /
uumindful 81 the tone Of ths German II"ss /
uu the quest iur ~ GafTnany's claims asalnri .
N-nsII,a One nestIaIrr uttcfanue ~ .
lieyvd 20 IA. inspired, was 10 tl,e ene'f that .
tisfmAny's Only h'siiatiOn Ia s.ndins war
ships 10 Nenrlu'la 30 mAks that country /
pay us indsif fednss. Ia German ConDrfns \
80 ne from the feaf of running aipul II tle .
I hat tl.s Admiui-t fai ton " aware that tlia .
krflin Ministry is even considering ths
matter HHh NisN 10 aston Ahlr tl.
clllrrflnn by fofcl a. usarufrs ~ duths
dtIn fufrsn suly,,tH ~ laiir .Anrunan
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tho iunsi State, tiisfs IL httl" n ahy
asuErf that thls Government Ntu hitrualIf .
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