New-York tribune., 1902-12-20
THE REPLY TO GERM4NY
TenesueIa's 4ns1cer to the CHa-
mGtum.


Caracas, Dec 19-The answer of the Venez-
uelsn Government to the German note OF De-
cember Z addressed TO Lopez Baralt. Venezuelan
Minister Of Foreign Affairs by Herr Won Pill
grim Batazzi. the German envoy which was
transmitted by the Foreign Office to Herr Won
Pilgrim Baltazzi on December 3, the Sth being
a feast day. as follows:
-On the afternoon OF the 7th instant. feast
day an employe Of the German legation called
at my private residence for the purpose OF de-
livering a note from you OF that date. Courtesy
alone caused me TO accept this note under such
circumstances
II think it is necessary. before stating the pur-
poses and desires OF the federal executive. to
refer to certain points in the first portion OF
your note, which are subject to rectifcation in
order to reconcile the essential object OF the
note with the circumstances of the case. The
argument which the Venezuelan Government
rected in its communication of May 9, in which
exception taken to all the doctrines set
forth in the preceding correspondence, It cited
in the said note the only argument Of the
Venezuelan Government against diplomatic in
reference in matters Of a certain nature. In
this note as in the memorandum of March,
1901. this argument is based upon the highest
principles of international law.
the utmost surprise that you attribute to it
desire to consider this point only in the light
of interior legislation. BY citing in our note of
May OF this year the twentieth article of the
Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation
between the German Government and the
public of Colombia Of July %, 1892 our only de-
sire tc add another proof to those already
brought forward with regard to the assent OF
the imperial government to this doctrine
as maintained by Venezuela Certain cases are
now cited precedents to enter INTO diplomatic
relations to effect a settlement. These cases
explain themselves. The payment of certain
credits relating &c remote epochs were adjusted
with France and the doctrine maintained by
Venezuela then respected. In the conven-
ton concluded with Spain in 1898 there ap-
pears simple effect of circumstances analo-
gous to those which determine what you your
self call the agreement of February g. 1896
between the German Minister at Caracas and
the Venezuelan Minister of Finance The said
agreement referred TO claims which previously
had been classified by the proper junta and in
this agreement the validity of the executive de-
which provided regulations for the exam
ination and payment of said claims is recog-
nized, and said claims We're satisfied in accord
ance with the law on the subject
Your observation with regard to the strict
to be brought before the junta are entirely
wanting in force owing to the operation Of the
general law establishing means to take meas
ures against this government
Regarding the morality Of the judges II is
not possible to admit the partiality attributed
to them by the imperial legation. The Venez-
uelan Government believes that the act of Con-
gress which your note qualities as nugatory to
be in consonance with the principles of equity
and that. being retroactive it tends further to
smooth over the difficulties
The Venezuelan Government is unable to
discover in Its correspondence a single sentence
offensive in tone. The desire of this govern
ment, Notwithstanding the fact that throughout
of opinions little friendly to this republic is to
ascertain which sentences contain the slightest
offence to the imperial government in order TO
explain the same with the utmost courtesy
With regard to the publication Of the note Of
March 8, 1902. marked confidential: This note
lost its confidential character through the publi-
cation of memorandum by the German Am
bassador to the United States, in which was in
corporated the note in question. The Venezuelan
Government is also surprised at the assertion
that its memorandum of August II was con-
ceived in offensive terms. The government
thinkss it can be seen that the said document
contains only a summary OF the opinions ex-
pressed by the German Ambassador to the
United States, with a consequent defence made
in strictly judicial manner. and in the moder-
ate tone which is our legitimate right
Il now have to express the opinion and atu
tude of the Venezuelan Government with re-
gard to your final deductions and concerning
the motives which LED you to present them in the
name of the government of the German Fn
peror- 1t has been decided that since the proper
junta is already Installed, procedure cannot be
dilatory differ from the form prescribed
by international law. Regarding the other
points, each of which comes within q certain
law, 1t is only necessary to call your attention
to the abnormal circumstances which have
paralyzed any course OF action relating TO these
matters. The Venezuelan Government is now
considering the appointment of fiscal agent
The imperial government desires that the
government Of Venezuela Immediately satisfy
the claims of German subjects arising from the
civil war. and that the other matters in which
the interests of German subjects are involved
be arbitrated. In order that this may be done
II becomes necessary that a declaration be
made If the claims under consideration are
just the Federal Executive as the representa-
i've OF an honorable and cultured government
hastens to give assurance that as such these
claims viii be examined. Treatment with the
interested parties will facilitate hasten or end
IN the satisfaction of said obligations, The