The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-29
Arbitration Conditions Accepted by
venezueIa, which Desires Minister
Bowen to Represent the Republic.
MORE TROUBLE FOR CASTRO
ACTIVE HOsTILITIEs RESUMED BY
THE REvOLUTIOsISTs.
Battle Fought Nenr Coro-A Red ID
Line Steamship Permitted to En-
ter the Port Of Laguayrn.


Stan Correspondence OF the Journal.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S.--W. l.. Penfeld.
solicitor for the State Department, gave
1t his personal opinion tonight that
there has not been the slightest cause for
alarm on the part OF the people of the
United States lest dangerous complications
should arise with Great Britain and Ger
many over the Venezuelan situation. Judge
Penfield has been very busy with the legal
problems connected with the Venezuelan
matter-so busy, in fact. that he was un-
able to go back to Indiana to spend Christ
mas He expects. however. to spend New
Years at his Auburn home. He gave out
a statement tonight concerning the Ven-
ezuelan matter, at the same time declaring
his belief that this country is in no danger
of a row with Germany and Great Britain.
There has never been any substantial
ground" said he, for apprehension that
Germany and Great Britain contemplated
violation OF the Monroe doctrine In con-
nection with the collection of claims of
their subjects against Venezuela. A year
ago this month the German ambassador
brought ID the attention of the State De-
partment the existing conditions in Ven
ezuela With reference to claims of Ger
man subjects. which originated partly in
forced loans alleged TO have been extorted
from them by the Venezuelan government,
partly In acquisitions of personal property
for the supply Of troops and partly in the
d5astation of landed estates. The amount
Sthese damages were alleged TO be 2,000-
oOu bolivars. equivalent to about 100000
American money. II was represented that
the Venezuelan government had passed a
decree chat commission OF Venezuelan
officials should settle the claims, but that
the law excluded from consideration all
claims for damages arising before May %,
1899. Ii was represented that the law fur
ther provided against any diplomatic repre-
sentatiocs being made against the decisions
of the commission and that the allowances
made by 1t should be payable only IN bonds
revolution. 1t was further represented that
several of these claims had been simply
rejected. and others reduced In arbitrary
manner.
"Under these circumstances the German
government declined to pe bound by the
decree OF the Venezuelan government
which considerer the settlement of the
claims as an internal affair of that country
with which no foreign power had the right
to intermeddle. The German Ambassador
declared that under no circumstances was
the acquisition or the permanent occupa-
tion of Venezuelan territory contemplated
Secretary Hay In answer on Dec Is 1901
quoted the declaration OF the President in
his message OF Dec. 3, 1901, that: "The
Monroe doctrine Is declaration that there
must be no territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT by
any non-American power at the expense OF
any American power on American soil
but that that this doctrine has nothing to
do with the commercial relations of any
American power" and that I'VE do not
guarantee any State against punishment IL
II misconducts itself. provided that punish
ment does not take the form of acquisition
OF territory by any non-American power %
Reference was further made to the per-
sonal assurances given by the Ger
man ambassador TO the President that
the German government has no intention to
make even the smallest acquisition of ter
ritory on the South American continent
or the Islands adjacent. The answer further
made was that This voluntary and friendly
declaration on the part of the German am
bassado< was received by the President and
people OF the United States I'm the frank
and cordial spirit In which IL was offered.
ION the 18th OF this month";" Judge PEN
field continued. Lord Cranborne the Brit
ish under secretary of state for foreign
AFFAIRS, announced In the House of Com
mons that England was anxious to assist
the United States I'm maintaining the Mon
roe doctrine. Thus both governments have
given frank assurances that they con-
template no unfriendly action TO the United
States government in the measures taken
to enforce the claims of their subjects"
G. A G..