The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-11-30
cVNnInATr llIIIzl
0IHDILRIL WILL
HELP VENEZUELA
Member of Prominent Financial
House in Washington
MORE WOULD Be WELCOMED
United States Very Anxious to Have
Matter Settled and Avoid Posi-
BILE Danger Of Occupation
of That Republic.

washington, November 2s.-The ap-
pearance in Washington of I. seligman'
q. member of a New York financial house
which has engaged extensively in interna-
tionai syndication known in connection
with the Associated Press dispatches
printed this morning from London rela-
tive to Venezuelan finances was View
ed In official circles here today as In
dioating the assistance of syndicate
with the purpose of floating all OF
Venezuelas many debts and thus avert
ing the imminent danger that country
stands In of seizure of her customs duties
by foreign powers. The assumption is
that the prospective syndicate wishes to
ascertain before closing a bargain with
Venezuela whether or not the United
States will insure the meeting by Ven
ezuela of the obligations she would as
sumo in the matter OF repayment Of the
loan.
The United States government 1t can
be stated on authority Is extremely de-
sirous that Venezuela settle her trou-
bles with Great Britain, Germany and
other foreign countries without mourning
the seizure of any Venezuelan ports,
even temporarily. For it is realized that
while the United States could not con-
sistently object to the seizure of Ven
ezuelan custom houses by a foreign pow
err as a means of collecting just debts,
this Is regarded as the contingency TO
be avoided If possible for 1t Is realized
that serious friction might follow be-
tween foreigners and the Venezuelans,
u. nar-trf ha n
clared a mere temporary occupation
would end by claim of permanence by
which the United States must take no
tice and it must contest.
Therefore If any responsible financial
body is willing to pay off Venezuela's for
eign claims and so relieve the country
of danger of occupation such move
would be welcomed by the state depart
ment But 1t is known that the official
settlement touching his guarantee by the
United States government syndicate.
Venezuela's loan would be unfavorably
considered The department of state OBJ
jects very strongly to giving any guar
antee of this kind and Its official prac-
tlce has been to extend to an American
holding foreign bonds such protestatfon
as 1t would accord to any other citizen,
but to allow him to bear the risk of his
own venture holding that he takes the
bonds OF a foreign government, subject
to the vssicitude Of that government and
cannot expect the United States to act
as his collector In the event that his
speculation does not turn out as we'll as
he expected. Mr. Seligman called at the
White House with Senator Hanna and
was with the President about 20 minutes.
After MS interview with the President
he refused to say anything in regard to
the report that a syndicate was being
formed to handle the collection against
Venezuela. He declared that his call was
a social one
selieman Loses No Time.
Mr. Selgman lost no time In bringing
his business to the attention of the gov
eminent here, and before noon he APP
peared at the executive office with Sem
ator Hanna, and was promptly admitted
to the Presidents ROOM The conference
did not last very long, and when he came
away Mr.. Seligman declined to make any
statement as to the reason for his call
beyond the remark that 1t was a friendly
visit. 1t is understood, however, that he
did sound the President upon the line
indicated above, and that the President
could not see his way GEAR 10 involve
the United States in the financial diff
cuties of the American republics that
might follow from the acceptance of Mr..
Seligman's proposition. 1t may be that
the matter will later take a form that
will make 1t possible for the state de-
partment to favorably entertain it. At
any rate, Mr.. Seligman returned to his
hotel from the executive office postpon-
ing a visit he had projected to the state
department, and letting It be UNDER
stood that he was not leaving immedi-
ately.
Mr.. Seligman tonight said that an
other conference will be held tomorrow
at which Secretary Hay will be present.
and at it's conclusion he would probably
give out a statement.