The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-01-07
THE VENEZUELAN CRISIS,

Troubles accumulate upon the head
of President Castro. His campaign
against Colombia fails. or at any rate
does not succeed, He is confronted
with formidable revolt IN his own
land. He Is, moreover. menaced with
coercive action on the part Of various
European powers for the forcihle col
lection OF debts long due. This last
mentioned is the latest and most seri-
Gus Of the Venezuelan autocrats In
Movements. The claims OF France, Il
is said. may be adjusted without trou-
bic. But Germany is urgent and men
acing. Her warships are gathering
near Venezuelan ports. and she is evil
denIy preparing a blockade II not an
actual temporary seizure OF the latter
until such time as the satisfaction Of
her claims shall be assured. President
Castro maintains a defiant front. and
may be SO infatuated as to try to re-
sist German force with force. II IS
pretty evident, however. that his chief
reliance is upon external succor, He
apparently hopes that the United
States will intervene for his protection
under the Monroe doctrine" or that
the large foreign commercial interests
at Venezuelan ports win serve as a
barrier against German aggression.
Such hopes are probably quite vain.
The attitude OF the United States is no
doubt the decisive factor in the prob
lem. II it does not intervene. no other
country viii II It should intervene,
no other would stand against It, At
present its intentions are not dis
closed. but its very proper massing Of
a naval force in the Caribbean super
Tor to that of any other power shows
that it is fully awake to the situation,
and means to be prepared for anything
that may occur. Neither are Ger
many's intentions disclosed. nor has
the nature OF the understanding be-
tween Germany and the United States
been revealed. What is Of supreme
significance. however, is the fact-it
seems to be a fact-that a satisfactory
understanding between these two does
exist There is no reason to suppose
that the United States will stand in
the way OF a proper satisfaction Of
whatever just claims Germany may
have against Venezuela, and certainly
none to fear that Germany will pur-
sue measures offensive to the United
States. Much sensational stun. Of in
terested inspiration, has been publish
ed about Germany's deep. dark and
desperate designs upon the shores Of
the Caribbean hostile to the United
States. But It should be obvious to
even the most superficial intelligence
that to quarrel with the United States,
or TO give this country Just ground
for complaint, is about the last thing
in the world that Germany wants 10
do. It is not a question Of one nation
being afraid Of the other It is
question Of international ties, Of blood,
Of commerce and Of interests in gen.
eral being too strong to permit FOR a
moment anything like serious es-
arrangement.
As to the Monroe doctrine, which Is
invoked by some with more vocifera-
ton than discretion, We cannot per-
ceive that it is in serious danger Of in
volvement. That venerable and bene-
fcent instrument forbids the colon
ization-forcibly, through conquest,
Of course-of the American continents
by any European power. Il does not
appear that Germany has any thought
Of colonizing Venezuela. Also the
doctrine forb!ds any interposition for
the purpose OF depressing or Of con-
trolling the destinies Of the American |
republics. But we cannot recall that |
the collection Of just debts has been /
judicialIy or judlciously declared to be /
oppression. or that the temporary |
blockade or occupation Of a rort has !
been wisely deemed a control Of the
destinies Of the country. The Monroe
doctrine is a charter Of protection in
the legitimate development Of inde-
pendent nationalities in the three AM
ericas. It is not and never was
charter Of international libertinism.
1t may properly be invoked for Irotec-