The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-16
UNCLE SAM TAKES A HAND
Notifies Allied Powers They Must Not Interfere with
American Shipping in Venezuelan Waters

blockade Is sought 10 be established Secre-
tary Hay has informed the German govern
ment that American ships should not be in
terfered with in their trading, except the
inhibition applies to all shipping. and fur
ther, the note intimates a disapproval of
stoppage at all. In so doing the State
Department is following a precedent. for
during the effort of the powers to estab-
lish peaceful blockade OF Crete in 1898
Secretary Sherman formally recorded re-
fusal to be bound by it. IL happened that
no American ship had occasion TO enter
Cretan port during the brief period the
blockade was in force, the issue not
made then, but in the present case, with
regular lines of American steamers enter
test case may soon follow.
PEACEFUL OUTCOME HOPED FOR.
II is within the legal right of the allies
to close these ports, but probably this can
be accomplished without protest on our
part only after formal declaration of
war. The hope is growing here that such
a decision can after all be averted. after
the energy with which Mr.. Bowen has
acted. The proposal of President Castro to
the allied powers for peaceful settle
ment was suggested by Mr. Bowen and 1t
came to the State Department through his
hands. 1t has been forwarded to London
and Berlin through the embassies here, and
both Great Britain and Germany have
heretofore profeSsed a desire 10 settle the
issues peaceably IL is hoped that they Will
avail of this opportunity. The proposal
did not mention the method or arbitration,
nor the limitations, and the point OF doubt
which may prevent the acceptance OF the
scheme is believed to be Castro's unwilling
ness to bind himself in advance TO the
recognition of the principle of liability; he
would leave the arbitrators to determine
whether or not he is liable at all.
The situation in Venezuela is causing con,
siderable comment among senator's ana
there indications that resolution or
inquiry may be introduced at an early Day
This proceeding in all probability, would
have been instituted to-day but for the
fact that assurances were received from the
State Department that its Information Is
quite meager. If the subject comes up 1t
probably will be dealt with in executive
session.
The South and Central American diplo-
of anxiety that finds expression in fire.
quent calls at the State Department for
information. No less than six ministers
were among Secretary Hays visitors to-
day, although this was not diplomatic re-
ception day. Secretary Hay was in con-
ference at the White House for a short
time with the President to-day regarding
Venezuelan affairs. Senator Cullom and
Representative Hit, the heads or the two
committees on foreign affairs of Congress,
also saw the President, but IL was stated
that little attention was given 10 Nene-
zuela. Among senators and representatives
who have discussed the Venezuelan ques-
tion, with President Roosevelt the situation
is regarded as serious, but IL Is not gen.
orally believed that the United States will
become involved in the controversy.
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
The Senate committee on foreign rela-
tions made declaration of the Monroe
doctrine when the agitation over the
Schomburgk line in Venezuela was intense.
On Jan. 20. 1896. the late Senator Davis
CONTINUED ON PAGE s, COL. 81