New-York tribune., 1902-12-23
nan and American affairs. He said yes

! German and American aHalrS- he Sdio yes
| terday:
|I regret very much the position taken ny
part of The press regarding the Venezuelan
| question I confess I do not understand the
| wholly unjust suspicious that have been ex-
pressed in many quarters as to ulterior designs
of Germany in South America. 1t seems 20 me
that the straightforward and explicit declara-
ton given by the German Ambassador on his
return from Europe some time ago as TO the
position taken by the German Government in
South American matters should be accepted
without any hesitation or question. backed up
as 1t had been by numerous proofs that Ger
many meant what she said.
''Tn take up the facts surrounding the situa-
ton in Venezuela intelligently It should be Ie-
membered that Germany and Great Britain are
partners for the purpose OF enforcing the pay
nlent of q just debt. and that the action so far
taken by the allied fleets on the coast of Venez-
uela has been taken by the two countries after
a full understanding with the United States.
It should be considered that the Information
we have received here in reference to the
treatment accorded by the Venezuelan people
to the British ship Topaze and the conditions
preceding the bombardment Of the forts at
Porto Cabello and the sinking of two alleged
Venezuelan vessels have come to us large
/ly through Venezuelan sources 1t seems to
me that it would be well to await full part1cn-
lars before expressing an ex-cathedra OPINION
as to the justice of the course adopted by the
two allies in Venezuela
Herman Ridder, of the "Staats-Zeitung,"
said:
81 believe in the Monroe Doctrine. but I
don't see any proof yet that Germany or Great
Britain intends to violate it. I object to any
newspaper trying to show that Germany is
wrong in the. Venezuelan affair while Great
Britain is right. Why should anybody try to
stir up feeling against Germany in the interest
of Great Britain? Germany and Great Britain
are partners in the Venezuelan business. and II
one is right they both are right, and II one is
wrong they both wrong Before we make
up minds If they are right wrong, let US
have more information about the conditions
in Venezuela which seem to have prec1pltateo
trouble"
SAYS GERMAN EMPEROR IS NO FOOL.
Hubert ellis, of the Gerrnania Life Insur-
Company. said yesterday:
"I think it is foolish to talk about Germany
wanting to precipitate trouble with the United
States. The German Emperor is no fool He
has no desire to get possession of any territory
in South America. He wants to cultivate
friendly commercial relations between Ger
many and America. His sending Prince Henry
over here showed that He is too wise to an
tagonize the United States by any action in
South America that would be deemed hostile
to this governm ut"
a member of the firm of Mecke & Co, No 80
wall-st, who is familiar with the Venezuelan
trade said:
"The German merchants who have the largest
interests in Venezuela simply had TO have pro
lection. They had been demanding II until IL
became necessity. The action OF the German
and British fleets will enforce Justice. The in
terests Of the United States are not In any way
hurt by such action but rather helped. AS
German-American l am glad that the action
was taken by Germany instead Of the United
States. because whatever feeling is stirred up
in Venezuela will be against another country
than this There is not the slightest fear for
trouble between the United States and Ger
many. Their relations will continue TO De
friendly.
prominent German-American, who did not
wish to have his name In interview, said;
1T must be plain to every intelligent man tnat
there were conditions in Venezuela demanding
the intervention OF armed fleets or Germany
and Great Britain would not have started a
blockade I understand that most OF the troupe
has arisen a railroad, the bonds OF "hlCh
we're guaranteed by Venezuela. Supposing the
bonds OF the New-York Central had been guar
anteed by the State OF New-York and German
holders of the bonds couldn't get pay Tor
the bonds. Would that justify a German meet IN
blockading this port? OF course we know that
nothing OF the sort would happen here, because
the holders Of bonds In every part or the "orld
would be able get protection through our
courts But the question arises, would the IN
tervention OF armed fleets be proper to enforce
claim II the courts and the government failed
10 give the protection? This shows that there
must be conditiors other than failure TO pay
a Just debt to justify the blockade of venezuelan
ports Before passing judgment. we may as wei
wait for information as to those conditions Ar
bitration would bring to light all the desired
inforrnati IN. and apparently there VIII De arol-
tration 10 settle the trouble.