The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-12-23
PUBLIC is SUSPICIOUS
OF GERMANY.
SIGHTS DANGERS AHEAD
Sir Robert Griffin Declares Foreign
Office BIundered in Entering
German Partnership.

London, Dec. 18-The developments
in the Venezuelan imbroglio, as re-
vealed by Premier Balfour's state
ments in parliament yesterday, have
resulted in bringing out in the press
stronger expressions than ever for the
desire to reach some pacific settle
ment Of the differences existing on be-
half of both the governments. The
government fully recognized the pos
sibility of wal with Venezuela.
A DisagreeabIe Surprise.
On the other hand, those who de-
clare that the government of the Unit
ed States forced the government of
Great Britain into a virtual declara-
ton of war are not lacking. Certain
ly a considerable portion of the Brit
ish public was disagreeably surpris-
ed. to find hat Great Britain actually
was at war, and that this war might
for many months to come require the
presence of a large naval force in
Venezuelan waters and put a stop to
all British trade with Venezuela.
Must Act With United States.
Henry Norman, M. P, in a newspa-
per article published this morning in
which he emphasizes the dangers of
the proposition into which Germany
is dragging Great Britain, contends
that the only safe and dignified course
for Great Britain is to seek satisfac-
ton through cooperation with the
United States.
Mr.. Norman asserts that "strenu-
Gus and urgent warnings, private in
their origin, but virtually official, have
been cabled from the United States
during the last few days"
Reflects Widespread Concern.
Mr.. Normon's opinion reflects a
very widesr: cad concern with regard
tc the Anglo-German agreement and
concerning the question Of how the
United States would view the exist
ence of a state of warfare between the
powers and Venezuela. The newspa-
pers this morning ask: what would.
happen should Germany choose to-
seize Margarita island as a base for
the blockade?"
A Grave BIunder.
The Times this morning gives great
prominence to a letter from Sir Rob,
ert Griffen, declaring that the foreign
Office blunderd in associating itself
with Germany against Venezuela. Sir
Robert contends that a blockade will
be useless against a bankrupt state,
while the seizure of the customs will
be tantamount to annexation and full
OF danger, considering the peculiar
relations of Venezuela to the Unit
ed States.
An Alarming Note.
Sir Robert strikes his most alarm
ing note when he refers to the danger
OF Germany embroiling Great Britain
with the United States. He believes
that Germany would not hesitate to
occupy Venezuelan territory, and he
thinks the less said about British
claims the better. He says he doubts
If Great Britain has any good moral
claims against Venezuela and con-
cludes with these words: "'The best
course is to cry off at all hazards, and
at the utmost exact punishment for
the injured seamen by getting hold,
if possible, OF the guilty Venezuelan
officials"
The Times, without endorsing these
views, and while it repudiates his sus-
picions of Germany, says it cannot
hide from itself either the actual or
the contingent difficulties involved in
this most disagreeable undertaking.
The education bill having passed all
it's stages yesterday, parliament will
be %prorogued today. Consequently no
information concerning Venezuela
will be gathered from the ministers
except as parliamentary papers are
occasionally issued.
Proposals Wanted.