Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-18
ENGLAND SAYS
HER ACT IS
JUSTIFIED
PARLIAMENTARY PAPER WAS
ISSUED ON MONDAY Ex-
PLANNING CAUSES WHICH
LED TO SUMMARY ACTION.

LONDON, Dec. 16.-A parliamentary pa
per giving the correspondence relating to
Venezuelan affairs was issued yes
terday. 1t began with memorandum,
which, after recounting the existing caus-
es of complaint against Venezuela infiu-
enclng the measures of British ships and
the protestation against the Venezuelan
consul at Trinidad exacting improper fees
for collecting customs duties for Venezu-
ella in Trinidad of which no notice was
taken by Venezuela" says:
Besides these specific outrages and
grounds for complaint, there are causes
in which British subjects and companies
have long claims against Venezuela. The
Venezuelan government declined to accept
the explanations and assurances of his
majesty's government in regard to the Ban
Righ as in any way modifying the stu
alton. AS result, the position of his
majesty's legation at Caracas is rendered
quite impracticable for diplomatic pur-
poses, as all representations, protests and
remonstrances now remain dtsregarded
and unacknowledged."
The correspondence, which dates to De-
cember 2, shows that so early as July 3
Germany tentatively mentioned the Vene-
zuelan difficulties and Foreign Secretary
Lansdowne replied that he would be quite
ready to confer with the view of joint
action. On August 16 Lord Lahsdowne
warned the admiralty to prepare for put
ting pressure on Venezuela, adding:
'"rhe German ambassador, Count Violin
Mitternich has suggested that the two
powers concerned should partake In a
joint naval demonstration"
On August 1 the British minister, Mr.
Haggard, notified Lord Lansdowne that
he had personally presented to the acting
foreign minister a note recording his for
NAL protest against the 'intolerable con-
duct of the Venezuelan government"
stating that unless prompt compensation
was paid to the injured persons she
would take the necessary steps to exact
reparation. Mr.. Haggard concludes:
1.-The minister accepted the note quiet
ly. His final remark was that they were
used to these communications 1 said
that might be the case but not from
England"
Mr.. Haggard on August 4 informed Lord
Lansdowne that the Venezuelan foreign
minister had definitely stated that until
the BanRigh matter is settled satisfacto-
rfly to the interests of both nations the
Venezuelan government cannot entertain
any question of the different subject On
September q Vice Admiral Douglass sug-
gested to the admiralty that it might be
necessary in bringing effective pressure on
Venezuela, to blockade the ports of La
Guayara Porto Cabello and Maracaibo
AOWdAu luc Gnu VI ANONCAAOCA cA0 cCAGC GA
Venezuelan gunboats until the demands
are complied with"
Lord Lansdowne under date of October
% says the blockade is ''open to some OBJ
lection" but he endorses the seizure OF
the vessels. *
In the next communication. dated No
vember II. Lord Lansdowne notified
Charge d'Affaires Buchanan at Berlin
that Germany is prepared to joint Great
In Anal ,fx,rr %tuk -
had been agreed that the first step should
be the seizure Of Venezuelan vessels.
LAS to the joint execution of the measures
of coercion says Lord Lansdowne, "the
German government recognized that
there was sharp distinction in the char
acter of the British and German claims
and that, nevertheless, the two claims
ought to stand or fall together and that
we ought to exclude the possibility of a
settlement between Venezuela and one
of the two powers without an equally
satisfactory settlement of the other"
Further communication to Mr.. Buchanan
occurred November IL, Lord Lansdowne
said that Germany concurred in the view
that any joint action should be main
tanned until the demands of both govern
ments are satisfied. Mr.. Haggard, on No I
vember II, told Lord Lansdowne that Ven
ezuela had reiterated that 1t considered
the Ban Righ question and facilities af-
forded the revolutionaries by the authori-
ties at Trinidad to be all-important and
would be much gratihed If Great Britain
would express some desire for arriving
at any understanding on the subject, add
ing that Venezuela therefore appeals to
the sense of fairness of the British gov
eminent" t
After settling with Germany the mode
of procedure and the instructions to be
sent to the naval commanders, Lord
Lansdowne, on November q, informed
Mr.. Haggard thereof and gave instruc-
tions as to his course regarding the pres
entation of the ultimatum and the minis
ters departure from Caracas, which have
been since followed out
The foreign Office, on November 18th,
asking the admiralty forward specific in
structions to Vice Admiral Douglass.
adds:
Should the British legation be with
drawn from Caracas ii is probable that
British interests in Venezuela would be
placed in charge of the United States
minister"
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