New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-24
VEN NEZUELA'S CASE STATED
BARALT REVIEWS THE TRoU-
BLEs WITH ENGLAND AND
GERMANY.

Caracas. Nov. 23-Discussing Venezuela's for
eign relations, Dr. Lopez Baralt. Minister Of
the interior, said in interview:
Toward the United States Venezuela
tertains the kindliest feelings of friendship. and
she remembers with gratitude the attitude of
the great republic in the past Venezuela is
determined. so far as she is concerned, that
nothing shall occur TO disturb in the slightest
degree the existing understanding with the
American Legation and the friendly relations
between the two countries Venezuela has
nothing 70 complain of regarding the way in
which the various unimportant questions have
been treated. and. except for some pending
questions her foreign relations have been of
cordial character. The English Government at
Trinidad published a few days ago official
decree declaring the blockade of the OTinOco
null and void. If there is any place where the
blockade is effective il is the Orinoco. for, be-
sides the land defences. we have maintained sew
eral gunboats which have efficiently performed
there all the duties appertaining TO a blockade.
The English. too are inconsistent, for while
one journal at Trinidad publishes the decree de
claring the blockade to be ineffective. The
Mirror another publication, insists that Vene-
zuela is Loyalty fulfilling her international duty
in this respect. The British sloop of war Fan
tome entered the Ornoco without permission.
and President Castro has directed protest
against this infringement on NtlltLutldl S'N
ereignty It has been recognized that the prin-
cipal foreign ships shall ask permission to en-
ter the mouth Of the river and cannot un-
derstand the disregard of this rule similar
protest has been sent regarding the action of
the German warship Panther, which also en-
tered the Orinoco without permission.
Another act which has provoked astonish-
ment is the hosting OF the British flag on the
island of Patos Venezueas right to this island
cannot be questioned; geographically, histor-
ically and politically IT is Venezuelan territory.
With the island of Trinidad it recognized
as forming part of the old Spanish colony by
the Treaty of Amens Trinidad ceded TO
Great Britain, but PatOs Island remained and
was recognized an integral part OF Venezuela.
The English claim to Patos Island was based
on the act of the former Spanish Governor.
which was not recognized by Spain. If further
evidence of Venezuela's rights needed. the
fact that the island is situated scarcely three
miles from the Venezuelan mainland while il is
ten miles from Trinidad, is sufficient. The i'm
pregnabty of VeneZuela's position is shown by
the facility with which we have replied 10 every
argument in support of the British contention
advanced by the minister of that country. Patos
Island is Venezuelan, and must remain so.
Regarding the relations between Venezuela
and Germany, the minister said:
Germany has never given Venezuela any in
of it's pending claims. President Castro has no
intention of evading just obligation contracted
nv the government, but. on the contrary, VIII
meet IL loyalty. At the same time he cannot be
expected to permit any action infringing the
rights and dignity of the government"