Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-12-01
PLANS TO SAVE VENEZUELA.
Banker Seligman Calls on Roosevelt T.
Discuss Bond Matters.

Washington, Dec. 1.-The appearance
in Washington of L Seligman, mem-
Der of a New York financial house
which has engaged extensively in in
ternational syndication, in connection
with the Associated Press dispatches
printed relative to Venezuelan finances
was viewed In official circles here as in-5
dicatings The existence o. = sJlil'it,s%it
with the purpose of floating all of Nen-
eZuela's many debts and thus averting
the imminent danger that country now
stands in of the seizure of the custom
houses by foreign powers. The assump-
ton is that the prospective syndicate
wishes to ascertain before closing a
bargain with Venezuela whether or not
the United States will insure the meet
ing by Venezuela of the obligations she
will assume in the matter of repayment
of the loan.
The United States government. it can
be stated on authority, is extremely de-
sirous that Venezuela settle her trou-
bles with Great Britain, Germany and
other foreign countries without incur
ring the seizure of any Venezuelan
ports, even temporarily. For 1T is real
lied that while the United States could
not consistently object to the seizure OF
Venezuela custom houses by a foreign
mower as a means Of collecting just
debts it is regarded as the contingency
TO be avoided If possible, for it is real
ized that serious friction might follow
between foreigners and the VeneZue-
lans. and what in the beginning might
he declared to be merely temporary oc-
cupation, would end by claim of per-
panence of which the United States
must take notice and which 1T must
contest. Therefore. if any reasonable
financial body is willing to pay off Ven
ezuela's foreign claims and SO relieve
the country of danger of occupation,
such a move would be welcomed by the
state department.
But 1t is known that an official set
tlement touching the guarantee by the
United States of the syndicate's Vene-
zuelan loan would be unfavorably con-
sidered, The department of state OBJ
iects very strongly to giving any guar
antee of this kind, and it's official prac-
tice has been to extend to an American
holding foreign bonds such protection
as it would accord to any other citizen,
but to allow him to bear the risk of his
own VeIlluIe, HoluiiisS liiste AiS tS.'NeS N.'
bonds of a foreign government subject
to the vicissitudes of that government
and can not expect the United States
to act as his collector in the event that
speculation does not turn out as well
as he expected.
Mr.. Seligman called at the white
house with Senator Hanna, and was with
the president about 20 minutes. After
his interview with the president he re-
fused to say anything in regard to the
report that a syndicate was being FORM
ed to handle the claims against Vene-
Zuela. He declared that his call was a
social one.
When he came away Mr.. Seligman
declined to make any statement as 10
the reason for his call beyond the re-
mark that it was a friendly visit. Ii Is
understood however, that he dlo con
suit the president upon the line lnol-
Gated above and that the president
could not see his way clear to fnVotVe
the United States in the financial aliil-
culties of the American republics thal
might follow from the acceptance Oh
Mr.. Seligman's proposition. 1t may De
that the matter will later take FORM
that will make it possible for the state
department to favorably entertain 1t.
At any rate, Mr.. Seligman returned TO
his hotel from the executive Office post
poning a visit he had projected TO the
state department and letting 1t pc uli-
derstood that he was not leaving WASH
ington Immediately.