New-York tribune., 1902-12-21
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
1FF4IRS IN LONDON.
Tcne1uciaR Question a Christmas
Cracker Of Good FcNozcshp.

Assoc1attor-l
London. Dec. 2o.-The Venezuelan question, in
+ead Of being a Pandora's box is a Christmas
cracker Of good fellowship in the circle of ma
inns II has brought together Germany and
England in necessary measures of maritime
,olice The feeling between the two nations
r.as SO resentful that an alliance for any pur-
nose naturally excited suspicion at the outset
hut good effect VIII be produced by the close
association for the restoration of peace and
commercial honesty I'm dsordered State. Each
government. moreover. is determined to stand
well with the United States. and this is a potent
safeguard against intrigue and dissension in
working out a satisfactory solution of the
Venezuelan question. American influence can be
exerted with irresistible effect when England
and Germany are rivals in protestations of
friendship.
The Venezuelan affair in the final issue when
the details Of arbitration and financial settle
rnent have been ordered, may involve a con-
rincing demonstration that the British Empire
the United States and Germany. by virtue of
their vast commercial and industrial invest
n1ents are forced to stand together for the COL
iective benefit of the maritime world.
Optimism may he premature when the diplo-
matte details Of the settlement are not yet ar
ranged but there is cumulative evidence that
the Monroe Doctrine in its applications
tends 10 promote the peace and security of the
world The validity of the Monroe principle
was virtually recognized by Germany and Great
Britain in the explanations and pledges offered
10 the United States before the measures of
coercion were adopted. The Washington gov
eminent moreover by statesmanlike manage
,pent of the relations with Venezuela and the
European powers, has commanded the conf
dence Of strong and weak States. and retained
paramount authority over questions relating TO
tropical America. This pre-eminence is funda-
mental to the issue Of Monroeism. European
prejudice against it, however. has been dis
armed by the fexibilty and practical spirit with
which the exemption from political interference
has been differentiated from immunity from
consequences of financial reputation and fac
tiona turmoil.
The progress in Anglo-Saxon good feeling
since President Cleveland's message seven years
ago has indeed been marvellous. The Monroe
Doctrine instead of being menace to Europe,
is now regarded as a bond of peace in the
Western Hemisphere and the English press even
describes it as a genuine British interest and
safeguard to the Kings possessions in the New
World The Washington government, instead
NJ being lampooned and reviled. is overwhelmed
with compliments for the astuteness and skill
with which the difficult diplomatic affair has
been conducted and the American press, which
seven years ago was an English synonyme for
1urpitude and everything yellow. is now regard
ed as an exemplary organ Of public opinion.
conspicuous for self-restrzint. 1t is indeed an
annus nirabiiis preen,inent for great interna-a
tional amenities.
Berlin dispatches Indicate establishment over
the recent evidences of suspicion in both Eng
land and America respecting Germanys imme-
diate policy and ulterior aims in South America
The German press complains Of the injustice OF
these suspicious, but there is no evidence that
the three governments misunderstood one an
other The German Emperor, having once
made serious mistake in the Philippines. is
not likely to repeat it in South America. and
increase the fraternal feeling between England
and the United States. He is, moreover, in high
good humer over the compromise carried with
a high hand by Count Won Bulow in the tariff
legislation and Is not in a mood for resentins
criticism from any quarter, but rather Tor prov
ing that 1t is not well founded The sincerity
of his. friendship for the United States happily
cannot be questioned, and there has been no
evidence that he has Interior purposes IN the
West Indies. Venezuela or Brazil The German
official journals vie with the English press in
recognition of the eelf-restraint and courtesy OF
the State Department. and the latest informa-
tion indicates that the demand for an apology
from Venezuela has been waived. as might well
he done when two vessels were unnecessarily
sunk and that overtures for arbitration nave
been f9vorably acted upon at Berlin as well as
London.
Adjustments are delicate when France claims
priority in the treatment Of the financial settle
ment and when the status of Italy, belgium
and other powers must be determined. but ul'i-
mate success in arranging the details of arbi-
traton by The Hague tribunal or otherwise
seems foregone conclusion. The English
press plun1ps for American arbitration either
by Minister Bowen himself or the United States
Supreme Court and Germany would agree with
cut doubt 10 either proposal if there were any
practical method Of guaranteeing the execution
OF the award.
Apart from Venezuela, there is no forelgh
Of genuine interest except the strange sug-
gestion offered by The Spectator without
proof This is the insnuation that the German
Emperor when at Sandringham succeeoeo III
drawing Lord Lansdowne into a scheme for
Joint action in the region OF the Persian Guit
which would inevitably irritate Russia Brltlsh
suspciousness regarding the German Emperor
Is clearly becoming mania
Domestic affairs have relapsed into hohoay
dulness with the adjournment of Parliament
and the rising Of the divorce and other courts
judicial processes have not been suspehoeo
without decision in the Taft Vale case "hich
completes the series of rebuffs OF trade unions
in the English courts 1t is virtually reaftr-
nation Of the principle that trade unions can
not exercise power in defending the interests OF
labor without also accepting responsibility ior
the acts of secretaries and officials in conspiflhs
to carry strikes by illegal means moiestihs
and harassing corporations and interfering
with the inaitenable right Of the non-union
worker 10 sell his labor in the open market
This series of decisions limits the operations Oh