The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-21
THE VENEZUELA MATTER.
The Critical Questions Discussed BY ~
Authority In Int irrational Law.

Authority In International Law.
To THE EpIToI or THE SuS-Sir: The
| really Interesting question regarding the
Venezuela affair II this: Why did Londor
make an alliance with Berlin against Caracasi
There has not yet been disclosed any reason
why England could not. separate and apart.
pursue its reclamation against Venezuela
The sensitivcness OF the United States In the
matter Of the Monroe Doctrine Is well known
everywhere. and that the suspicion OF our
PEG pie Is now more alert arninst Berlin thar
against London is also obvious.
Diplomatic notes and conversations have
II SCENE, been going on during many months
bet wcen Washington. London and Berlin
, respect ing the purposes OF the last two. When
, the dema nds and reprsals came why did not
the President quickly take all of Congress
and the country int O his confidence and make
public the upshot OF the diplomatic rotet
and the conversat ions. and put the country
on the right track
Athird question relates to the peremprorS
manner in which Germany and England pur.
| sued their pretensions In Venezuelan waters
The incident regardihg the insult to the British
flag stands by itself, but the demands OF the
British naval officer and the little time hs
gave for explanation before opening fire
the Venezuela fort were certainly excep.
tional. II Is not probable that he cabled tc
London for instructions. Everything thus
far indicates that the general orders issued
at Berlin ana London 70 ther haVai e""i
mahdrrs were oil character quite uhus"a
in such simple cases Had our Government
at Washington been made acquainted there
with?
In the statements made by the newspaper
that have seen. the affair has not presented
any novel questions oil internationai law
That law il the customs and u-ages OF nations
| on which the nations have manifested an
| agreement,
II Germans and Brtons only held even
claims on Venezuela for money borrowed
and not paid when due. il was permissible
for the respective Governments Of the credi.
tors to decide whether or not they should
interfere. and whether only by diplomatic
representa- atoms or by force, III Prof Goodwin
Smith. who has put question to you on the
subject. will look into any complete English
| treatise on public law. he will see what British
usage l., and that as late as Jan 7. 1850. Lord
Salisbury affirmed the right TO use force to
collect debts, The difference between mere
debts and wrongs for which everybody con.
cedes State is responsible is in principle
not clear. no matter what usage and custom
| are. The whole subject was, as we all know.
threshed out forty-ohe years ago when Eng
land. France and Spain, under the convention
OF Oct 81. 1851. made war on Mexico to obtain
more efficacious protection for the persons
and property OF their subjects" II was avow-
eddy a debt collecting war. Not only that,
it was. In addition. a war OF occupation tn
obtain a future government in Mexico that
would not only be responsible and stable.
but also pay debts The United states as
| sentcd
According to international usage and Gus
tom IL was permissible for Germany and
England TO make peaceful reprisals against
Venezuela and hold them. OF sell them. for
payment Of her claims, but not to seize vessel
and Immediately sink them. venezuel.
could treat the reprisals as war. even II tn"
allies did not so intend them to be treated
President Jackson advised. in 1891. reprisal@
| AGAINST France for debts. We all know. or
should know. that by the law OF nation
Europe can use "retorsion" against US by
| like laws and tariffs II We repel their pro-
| ductions. But why were the allies 40 savage
as to sink the seized vessels II they sought
| simply collateral for the debts1
Pacific blockade, whatever it implies. was
| employed by France and England in South
| America as recently as isis, 1t was usage
| then, but is not now. Neutrals do not OF
late years. concede 1t to belliRerents. All
blockades now appertain TO war. Germany
and Ensiind. II they would coerce Venezuela
| short Of war. must not interfere with the
usual commerce OF others. Perhaps they
| cannot even stop lawfully. by pacihc block
| adp their vessels from ROlnR to NeDes