The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14

r. He present crisis in Venezuelan
affairs has not naturally ex-
cited great deal Of interest in
the United States. The sinking of a fleet
of war vessels (even If those vessels were
no larger than ocean tugs or yachts by
the combined fleets Of two great Euro
pean powers, does not occur every day.
Then the proximity to our shores is
enough to awaken US into interest. The
question naturally presents itself-what
win be the end? viii Germany and Eng
land content themselves with the seizure
of the Venezuelan custom houses and
thus satisfy their claims? Or win the
temptation for territory prove too great
for them and will hostile invasion be
the result? Events happen rapidly in
crises of this character and the future
is very uncertain.
President Castro of venezula may be
as black as his enemies paint him, but
no one has ever accused him of being a
coward or a weak man. The Andaen In
dian blood in him has shown itself many
times and his boast that he would never
run away from his enemies. during the
recent revolution has been well kept.
And now ne says he will show the world
that Venezuela has law and Justice and
that she win repel any unjust assault
upon her. The situation is serious. Any
attempt upon Englands and Germany's
part to invade the country will surely
lead to bloodshed.
A campaign in a tropical, mountainous
country (as the coast foothill country of
Venezuela is) would be necessarily at
tended with great hardships and loss of
life for the invading force. OF course
the ultimate end would be the victory of
the European force. But at what cost?
England mas had experience Of the price
recently in South Africa and it is very
doubtful II she would care to have it
repeated
1t is indeed most probable in the pres
ent English alliance, that Ger
many is taking the initiative. Her claims
are greater, and Germany has received
no recent shocks to her military prestige,
such as England has. Indeed Germany
is the only European nation that hmeri-
ca need fear as a possible colonizer of
Venezuela or any other South or Central
American state. Russia Germany and
England are the three great European
colonizing nations Russia has never car
ed to leave Asia. China, Persia and India
possess great attractions for her. Man
churia, Corea, Persia and the east are
unsolved problems stin and all Russian
diplomacy is turned toward tho Orient.
England certainly appreciates her rival
for the affections Of India, and the qucs-
tion of the Indian border IS a live one
with her. When the crisis will occur nc
one knows, but that England and Rus
sa will some day meet in the east is as
certain as any future event can be.
Then Englands attention is most sorely
needed in South Africa. That experience
will surely act as a deterrent on England
for some time. British supremacy was
never so severely tried and the recovery
is necessarily a slow one. 1t is a ques-
ton if there would be the wholesale en-
listment for a Venezuelan campaign that
every English town and hamlet saw dur
ing the South African one.
England's most probable position for
some time Will be that OF a developer
of her present colonies An era of sic W
but sure development and concentration
is much more natural for her now, than
one of extension of empire Her West
Indian islands need the best and most
careful attention from the colonial Of
flee. The discomfort in Jamaica, Trinidad
and other islands over the sugar bounty
question Is very keen. And so it would
seem that Russia and ENGLAND are not
in the question Of South American colon
ization. The last attempt England made
to acquire territory In South America
was at the time of the Venezuelan boun-
dairy dispute and, although Venezuela
was awarded the territory IN question,