Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-08
BY JAMES A. HALL.

T the United States government as
sumes the position, as defined by the
Monroe doctrine, that all foreign pow
ers must keep out of South America,
does not his government become response
BILE for the behavior and good order of the
South American states?
The United States certainly has no right
TO shut out, by the force OF it's army and
navy, other nations from South America
unless at the same time we assume re-
sponsibility for the conditions that may
develop there. If Uncle Sam has the right
to shake his clinched fist in the face of
Europe and say: You must let the South
Americans alone; they belong to my fam
fly; 1 will look after them" have not the
nations of Europe the right to say to
Uncle sam: Certainly, but you must
make your wards live and act in a decent
and civilized manner, and show some re-
gard for the rights of others"
The chronic revolutionary conditions in
South and Central America have long
been disgrace to civilization. The mis-
cradle chickering's of the imbecile repub-
lies. the ceaseless misrule and anarchy.
and the instability of all forms Of order
render substantial progress impossible.
The various governments, which are al
legged to be republics, seem to be little
more than military despotisms set up by
Adventures and banditii. Venezuela to-
day presents a spectacle that is appalling
to the whole civilized world. Castro, who
is said to have been formerly bandit in
the Andes, came down with a gang Of
ruffians and has spread over the country
the pail and desolation of death. Towns
and cities have been sacked, the inhabi-
tants murdered and the country ravaged
with fire and sword.
Castro says that he hopes to be able to
proclaim peace by January 1st, and adds:
Following the declaration of peace, the
government will discharge its just obliga-
lions and improve it's condition and reor-
ganize the fiscal system OF the country.
Every effort will be made to attract for
eign capital, which is needed to exploit
the rich agricultural, commercial and in
dustrial resources of Venezuela. We trust
the United States will participate in this
exploitation. There will be ample guaran-
tees for the security Of funds invested"
Castro can hardly hope for American
and European investors to risk invest
ments where he is himself not willing to
risk them. published report from Ca
racas says:
1.-THE enormous revenues exacted from
Venezuelan merchants drought the Gus
tom houses are turned into gold, and a
large portion goes olFeclly into CdSlTo y
possession and is by him sent away to his
private account on the continent. So IL
has happened that Castro, who arrived
in Caracas few years back without mon
ey to pay for his bed and board. is now
worth at least five million dollars. Those
few words explain most of the revolu-
Ions which now occur in South and Gen.
trail America. The vagabond of today
may become the millionaire of tomorrow,
no matter who suffers. To account for
the deficit in the revenue of the nation,
a fictitious balance-sheet is issued debit
ing public works, roads, bridges, ETC.,
with hundreds Of thousands of dollars. but
these public works are a myth, and the
supposed expenditure upon them is merely
a cloak to cover the robbery of public
moneys"
Castro is said TO have started his revolu-
ton with q hand Of less than seventy ruff