The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-12
GERMANY AND VENEZUELA.

The sailing OF two German warships for
Laguayra, Venezuela, may portend inter
esting though not necessarily exciting
events. The two ships were at st. Thomas,
in the Danish West Indies, and sailed from
there under what a dispatch calls hurried
orders from Berlin. The orders may not
have been hurried, and were more likely i'm
pursuance OF a line of action determined on
by the German government some time ago.
The ships had probably been ordered TO
rendezvous at st. Thomas to await further
orders. and may have been there for some
time. The delay was probably to await the
subsistence of revolutionary movements in
Venezuela and assurance that the time was
opportune for Germany TO press payment
OF certain claims against Venezuela, her
purpose to enforce which has been known
for some time. These claims. amounting to
about 20,000.000, are owing to German capt.
talists and grow out of railroad between
Caracas and Valencia that was built with
German money. They first became a mat
ter OF public discussion and international
correspondence in December last At that
time Germany seemed disposed 10 force an
immediate settlement, and there was con-
siderable talk regarding her possible de-
signs against Venezuela One rumor was
that Venezuela would cede territory in pay
ment OF the claims. and another was that
the United States might intervene to apply
the Monroe doctrine. Near the close of De-
cember il came out that there had been a
diplomatic exchange OF views on the sub
ject between the United States and Ger
many and that a good understanding had
clined to make public what had passed be-
tween the secretary and the German am
bassador, but it was said that the basis of
the United Statess representations could
be found in the utterances OF President
Roosevelt in his then recent annual mes
sage to Congress touching the Monroe doc
trine in its application TO South American
countries which do not pay their debts.
About that time IL was rumored that Ger
many had sent an ultimatum TO Venezuela
threatening forcible measures. and a little
later 1t was stated that her contemplated
naval demonstration against certain Vene-
zuelan ports would be postponed. possibly
until the issue OF the revolutionary move
ment then pending. 1t is evident, there
fore. that the present movement of war
ships is simply resumption of the German
l claim at the point where action was sus-
pended six months ago. Meanwhile Prince
/ Henry's visit 10 the United States has oc-
| Cured and the friendly relations between
| the two countries have been further
/ strengthened. AS. the understanding be
/ tween them in this matter is based on what
President Roosevelt said in his annual mes
/ sage. that is important After defining the
scope and meaning of the Monroe doctrine
| he said: I'VE do not guarantee any state
/ against punishment II il misconduets itself
/ provided that punishment does not take the
form OF the acquisition OF territory by any
/ non-American power" Persistent refusal
10 pay Just debt is such misconduct as
calls for punishment. and the foregoing ex.
tract seems 20 imply that the United State:
would not object TO any form OF punish.
ment by Germany short OF the permanent
acquisition OF territory. Thus the German
warships may blockade Venezuelan ports
seize custom houses. appropriate revenues
in short. do anything 10 enforce payment
OF her claim except to seize and hold yene