The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-12-19

Inc senate cOnCufreQ III the amend
ments to a bill providing for the sur
vey of certain lands in Wyoming.
Mr.. Morgan of Alabama gave notice
that on Saturday he would address
the senate regarding the construction
of an isthmian canal
Executive Session.
The Venezuelan question occupied
the attention of the senate in execu
tive session today for almost an hour.
The question came up informally al
most Immediately after the doors
were closed Senator Teller, dis
claiming all intention of being critical
and saying he merely desired informa-
ton, asked Senator Cullom, chairman
of the committee on foreign relations,
what information he possessed as to
the Venezuelan affair. This was Civ
en- by Senator Cullom.
German Ambassadors Letter.
The German ambassador, in his let
IC1, 51VC CAS uOPeSA tAASAI NOAApASSS 40
formation from the German standpoint
of the position Of his government. He
said that for seven years Venezuela
had failed to pay interest on debt
to German citizens of about $5000,-
900, and in addition there were other
debts amounting to about $1,700,000
10 oit
zuela. He added that every known
possible means had been tried to Sc
cure money and that his government,
feeling that patience had ceased to
be a virtue, had decided to use coer-
cion. 1t was desired, however, he
said, that it should be EXPLICITLY un-
derstood that whatever steps might
be taken by his country there was no
desire to encroach on the Monroe
doctrine. This explanation, he
thought, was due to the United States.
as the only purpose of his govern
ment was to assist its people in col
lecting debts due them.
Secretary Hays Reply.
Secretary Hay replied December
Is, 1901, saying in effect that the
Monroe doctrine was not intended to
shield any American nation from the
payment of it's honest debts, and that
its purpose was to prevent the acquisi-
ton of territory by old world ma
tions. To further elucidate the posi-
tion of the United States on the Mon
roe doctrine. he quoted from the first
annual message of President Roose-
welt, which had been in the hands
Of congress for only few days.
When Senator Cullom had conclud-
ed. Senator Lodge called attention to
the declaration attributed to Lord
Lansdowne by todays dispatches,
that there is no disposition or desire
on the part of Great Britain to &C
quire Venezuelan territory.
To Maintain Monroe Doctrine.
Senator Bacon of Georgia, lead
ing minority member of the committee
on foreign affairs, said that on ques-
tion of this kind there was no party
division; that everybody would stand
with the administration in doing what
was best for the general good. There
was no desire on the part of anyone
to embarrass those who were in con-
troll of affair and upon whom devolved
the duty of protecting American inter-
ests The maintenance of the Mon
roe doctrine, he added, devolved on
the whole people.
Senator Hoar's View.
Senator Hoar said that thus far
nothing had been done to cause ap-
prehension, and he expressed the
opinion that for the present the gov
ernment of the United States could do
nothing more than keep watchful
eye on the situation.
Bombardment Warning.
Senator Stewart dwelt somewhat
on the bombardment of the Vene-
zuelan fort and said that the incident
should be accepted by our govern
ment as warning of what this coun-
try might expect whenever excuse
might offer. He gave as his reason
for his admonition the fact that our