The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-12-20
REPLY TO The
GERMAN NOTE
Venezuela Endeavored to Set
Matters Right.
1T WAS RECEIVED TOO LATE
Oh, RATHER, THE ALLIES WENT
TO EXTREMES.

the Venezuelan government to the Ger
man note addressed to Lopez Raralt,
Venezuelan minister of foreign affairs.
by Herr Won Pilgrim Baltazzi, the Ger
man envoy 1t is dated Caracas. Dec
7. This answer was transmitted by the
foreign Office to Herr Won Pilgrim Bal
tazzi On Dec. 9. the Sth instant being
feast day. 1t was signed by Lopez
Baralt. and is as follows:
Caracas. Dee. 9, 1902.-To the Hon
orable Pilgrim BaItazzESir On the
afternoon of the It'll inst. feast
day. an enploye Of the German lega-
ton called at my private residence for
the purpose of delivering note from
you Of that date. Courtesy alone
caused me to accept this note under
such circumstances.
Based on Law
Il think it is necessary, before stat
ing the purpose and desires of the fed
eral executive. to refer to certain points
In the first portion of your note which
are subject to ratification in order TO
reconcile the essential object of the
note with the circumstances of the case
The argument which the Venezuelan
government recited in its communica-
ton of May s. in which exception was
taken to all the doctrines set forth in
the preceding correspondence. issued in
the said note as the only argument of
the Venezuelan government against
diplomatic interference in matters Of
a certain nature within this note. As
in the memorandum of March, 1901,
this argument is based upon the high
est principles of international law.
The Venezuelan government per-
eeives with the utmost surprise that
~fv.rT~ l..
this point only in the light of interior
legislation By citing in our note Of
May of this year the twentieth arti-
Gle of the treaty of amity, commerce
and navigation between the German
government and the republic of Colom-
bia of the Sd of July. 1892, our only de-
sire was to add another proof to those
already brought forward with regard
to the assent Of the imperial govern
ment to this same doctrine as main
tanned by Venezuela.
Gases Cited.
Certain cases are now cited as
presidents to enter into diplomatic re-
lations to effect a settlement. These
cases explain themselves. The pay
ment of certain credits relating to re-
mote epochs were adjusted with France
and the doctrine maintained by Vene-
zuela was then respected. In the con-
there appears a simple effect of cir
Gums tances analogous to those which
determine what you yourself call the
agreement of the 9Th Of February, 1886,
between the German minister at Cara
cas- and the Venezuelan minister of
finance The said agreement referred
to claims which previously had bee n
classified by the proper junta, and in
this agreement the validity of the ex-
ecutive decree which provided regula-
lions for the examination and payment
of said claims is recognized and said
claims We're followed in accordance
with the law on the subject.
Regarding the morality of the
judges, it is not possible to admit the
Partially attributed TO them by the i'm
perial legation. The Venezuelan gov
eminent believes that the act of con-
greSs which your note qualities as nu-
gatory to be in eonsonance with the
principles Of equity and that being re-
troactive, it tends further to smooth
over the difficulties.
Expressed Surprise.
THE Venezuelan government is un-
able to discover in its correspondence
a single sentence offensive in tone. The
desire of this government. notwith-
standing the fact that throughout the
correspondence it has noted the eX-
preston of opinions little friendly to
this republic. is TO ascertain which SEN
/ fences contain the slightest offense TO
the imperial government in order to
explain the same with the utmost cOur-
tesy.
with regard 10 the publication of
the note of May 8, 1901, marked con-
fidentiaP: This note lost its confiden-
tial character through the publication
of a memorandum by the German am
| bassador TO the United States in which
was incorporated the note in question.
The Venezuelan government is also
surprised at the assertion that its
memorandum Of Aug. u was conceived
thinks it can be seen that the said doc
unent contains only a summary of the
opinions expressed by the German am
bassador to the United States, with a
consequent defense made in a strictly
judicial manner and in the moderate
tone which is our legitimate right.
81 now have to express the opinion
and attitude of the Venezuelan govern
ment with regard to your final deduc-
tons and concerning the motives
which led you to present them in
the name OF the government OF the
German emperor. It has been decided
that since the proper junta is already
! installed procedure cannot be dilatory
nor differ from the form prescribed by
international law. Regarding the other
points, each of which comes within a
certain law, II is only necessary TO call
your attention to the abnormal circum-
stances which have paralyzed any
course Of action relating to these mat
ters. The Venezuelan government is
now considering the appointment of a
fiscal agent.
First Claims to Be Paid
The imperial government desires
that the government OF Venezuela i'm
mediateIy satisfy the claims of Ger
man subjects arising from the civil
war, and with other matters in which
! the interests of German subjects are
involved be arbitrated. In order that
this be done, II becomes necessary that
a declaration be made. If the claims
under consideration are just, the fed
eraI executive, as the representative of
an honorable and cultured government,
hastens to give assurance that as such
these claims will be examined. Treat
gnenJ with the interested parties will
facilitate. hasten or end in the salts
| faction of said obligations. The Ven
ezuelan government only awaits such
time when the work Of pacifcatiOn. in
which it is earnestly engaged. shall
| permit il to issue an order re-esta b.
fishing public credit The claims aris-
ing out of the present war, which still
devastates the republic, viii be treated
with all justice under the laws to be
passed to cover the requirements
! he crnnfa1 comma nd of my