New-York tribune., 1902-12-28
aW8aT .TU4S ALL ABOUT"

How MANY Little Peterkins there may be
wondering what the Venezuelan trouble was or
is all about we know not. Surely there has
been sufficient explanation Of the case. LII
fault there be in such explanation. indeed, 1t is
probable that it has been too profuse. likewise
diffuse SO that the mind has been bewildered
with too many words and has failed TO catch
the essential grains of truth amid the storm of
chaff 1t may therefore be pertinent and proht-
able 70 recall few definite details of the con-
trorersy Immediately preceding the practical
declaration of war by the European powers Ii
was on December that the British Minister
presented his governments final demand upon
Venezuela. Speaking Of the British claims. of
which settlement was asked Mr.. Haggard said:
These claims include all we'll founded claims
which have arisen in consequence of the last
civil war and previous civil wars, and Of the
i'll treatment and imprisonment of British SUD-
1ects and they also include an arrangement Tor
the foreign debt i have asked Venezuela to
make declaration that she recognizes in pr1n-
ciple the business of the claims that she viii
immediately make compensation in navigation
cases and the above mentioned, and in
those wherein British subjects have been un-
Justly imprisoned and i'll treated, and that in re-
spect other claims she will accept the decision
Of a mixed commission as 10 lhe amount anu
guarantee which should be given for their pay
alent. i have also expressed the hope that Ven
ezuela viii defer to these demands ana VIII not
oblige his majesty's government to take steps to
obtain satisfaction.
The German Charge d'Affaires at the same
time addressed the Venezuelan Government in
these terms:
The Imperial German Government has been
duly informed OF Venezuela's refusal of its de-
claims arising out of the civil wars OF 1893 and
1900. and of yenezuela's arguments. The i'm
the case does not consider the arguments salts
factory. Venezuela's argument, that owing to
the internal legislation OF the country IT is inn
possible automatically to arrange the claims OF
the foreigners arising out Of the wars is not in
conformity with international law. The
imperial government, therefore. believes Itself
obliged to contribute in definite manner to
their immediate satisfaction. ] am instructed tc
pray Venezuela 10 satisfy without delay the
German credits. which amount to 1,1lS,s1o boil
WARS 81 centavos.
Furthermore the manner In which the Ger
man claims consequent on the present civil war
were treated led the imperial government to
think that the other claims of its subjects are
also IN need OF support 10 arrive al a Just con
quent on the present civil war. and the credits OF
the German houses occasoned by the construc-
tion Of slaughter house in Caracas. and the
amount due for the Great Venezuelan Railway
must be considered in the same light. 1 or
dered 10 ask Venezuela TO make a declaration
immediately that il recognizes in principle the
correctness of the demands, and is willing to
;coept the decision Of mixed commission. with
The object OF having them determined and as
sured in all details. The imperial government
hopes that the republic will satisfy the just de-
rnan6s Of Germany and VIII not obifge the i'm
rerIsi government 10 enforce their satisfaction
The Venezuelan Government met these de
laaads with direct refusais. and thereupon the
ministers withdrew from Venezuelan soil, and
the blockade and bombardment followed.
It viii be observed that with the exception
of the German demand for immediate pay
ment of special claim of 1.71s,s15 bolivars, or
about s3437 1853, the proposal was that all claims
should be referred to a mixed commission, such