The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-12

The Venezuelan trouble can only have
serious outcome for Venezuela herself The
course of events will depend on the line of
action adopted by Great Britain and Ger
many to enforce payment of their claims
and reparation for the insults 10 their flags,
but there can only be outcome, and
that will be the humiliation of Venezuela.
plete and the money claims increased by
reason of the acts of the mob in Caracas on
Wednesday night, the wholesale arrest OF
British and German citizens, including the
German consul, and the outrageous insults
to the flags of both countries. The Vene-
zuelan government is bankrupt, and the
powers will find it difficult to collect their
claims by any action, however drastic, but
they may obtain satisfactory guarantees,
failing which they will probably take pos
session of Venezuelan customhouses and
hold them long enough to collect the sums
claimed to be due. This would be slow
process and would involve more or less
interruption of commerce and embarrass-
ment to other powers having trade with
Venezuela, but it would be a legitimate
mode of procedure though an extreme one
There is scarcely a remote possibility of
the United States being drawn into the
trouble. 1t might easily be. if the other
powers should attempt to seize and hold
part of venezuela's territory. but there is
no reason to believe that they contemplate
part of either Of them would require the
United States to assert the Monroe doctrine.
but there is no probability that this will
happen. The other powers are acting in a
spirit of friendliness to the United States,
and there is probably perfect understand
ing among them to this effect.
The only other possibility of the United
States being drawn into the trouble, and
this also is remote, is that of Venezuela
denying the right of the United States
minister at Caracas to look after the in
terests of British and German citizens in
Venezuela or defying his authority in the
premises. This would compel the United
States to enforce its claim in this regard.
The right of a minister of one power to
look after the interests of the subjects of
resentative at a scene of trouble is mat
ter of international comfy and is well es-
tablished. AT the beginning of the Franco
German war, in 1870. when the German
ambassador was about to withdraw from
Paris, he was ordered by Prince Bismarck
nm
legation, and our minister acted as the rep
resentative of Germany during the entire
war. For quite length of time during the
British-Boer war consul at Pretoria
acted on behalf of British subjects, and dur
ing the war with Spain the British consuls
lection of American citizens and interests.
No government can with propriety refuse to
render this service when asked to do so by
another.
Our minister to Venezuela, Hon. II. B.
Bowen, Of New York, is an able and safe
man. He is a son of the late Henry c.
Bowen, proprietor of the Independent, and
is a trained lawyer and diplomat. He was
consul at Barcelona under President Kar-
rison and consul general there under Pres
ident Cleveland, and was retained by Pres
ident Mckinley. In 1899 he was appointed
minister to Persia, and was transferred
from there to Venezuela. He understands
his duties, and will perform them discreetly
and fearlessly. From present indications he
will be able to render services to British
and German citizens in Venezuela which
will place both of these powers under
friendly obligations to the United States.