The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-17

NO TERRITORY VIII ne Sei1eO-Sues
picion Of Gerniany's Motives Growing
-Dewey's Fleet to he Sent Nearer.
WASHINGTON, Dec. ls.-The Venezuelan
question was unexpectedly intruded upon
the Senate during the course Of the execu-
tive session this afternoon. after the Japan
ese treaty had been ratified.
Some very pertinent statements were
made in criticism Of the conduct OF Great
Britain and Germany in connection with
their effort to collect debt from the South
American republic. and the view was ex-
pressed that if arbitration is not accepted
this Government should not be slow In
entering its protest against the policy
now being followed toward Venezuela.
Senator Teller declared that both Ger
many and Great Britain had been guilty
Of acts Of war, that they had gone beyond
the privileges that belonged to them under
international law, and that the Monroe
Doctrine ought to be invoked to prevent
any repetition Of such conduct.
Senator Hoar concurred In what Mr..
Teller said and pointed out the danger that
might come from the formation Of such
alliances as had been formed by two great
Powers against weak nation Of this hemi-
sphere.
Mr.. Bacon favored arbitration and do
clared that the pending proposition looking
to thst solution was all that kept him from
publicly denouncing what he considered .
great outrage.
Senator Stewart denounced both Ger
many and Great Britain. while Senator
Cullom, seeking to head Of unwise agitation.
declared that full report had been called
for and when received would be laid before
the Senate.
Mr.. Teller called attention TO the letter
sent this Government by Germany Dec.
II, 1901, explaining it's failure to induce
Venezuela TO pay the claims which Ger
many held to be due. and declaring It's in
tention Of availing itself Of its rights under
international law to Use such force as might
be- necessary to collect the claim.
Germany. however, he said. specifically
declared that 1t did not intend to take per-
manent possession Of any territory and that
in the collection Of this claim it would only
use such means "a were authorized by
international law and usage.
This statement of Germany, Mr.. Teller
said, seemed satisfactory and did not give
any cause for alarm. Germany had fhe
right to collect her money and ii was within
her right to take possession OF the VEN
ezuelan gunboats found in the harbor, but
Mr. Teller denounced in most vigorous
terms the three things which had been done,
which were, he said, clearly acts Of war
and would justify Venezuela in assuming
that the Powers had declared war against
her. These acts were the sinking OF the
! vessels the firing on the forts and the estab-
shment OF a blockade.
TELLER WOULD INVOKE MONROE DOCTRINE.
IF those things can be done: II any
Power can come to this hemisphere and in
the collection of a debt commit acts which
a larger and stronger Power would resent
| with all its force. and would he compelled
| to accept as a declaration Of war; said
| Mr. Teller, 1T is high time that we acted
under the Monroe Doctrine. which, I think.
| is sufficiently strong to cover this case.
"The Monroe Doctrine is sufficiently
! strong for us to Use in denying the rights
Of any European Power TO do anything on
this continent that we believe il inimical
| TO us and TO our peace and safety. Even
| II England did not join in the sinking Of
these ships she il just as guilty legally.
| for she is an ally of Germany in this matter.
These powers went to Venezuela with
| our consent under the promise that they
would act within their rights and We had
! the right TO assume that those rights would
| not be violated.
Venezuela would be justified in assuming
| this act as declaration of war. but she
| does not want war. She offers instead ar
| bitration and in nothing that Venezuela
| has done is there a thing that can prevent
| German or English dignity from accepting
| arbitration. | regret that the Government
| OF the United States has not gone further
| and expressed firm desire that this arbi-
| tration should take place.
IF we had signifed our desire that this
should be done it would have had great
weight. We do not want war in Venezuela
| and we cannot and will not allow that coun-
| try 10 he reduced to the state of depen-
dency, and under the Monroe Doctrine We
must say that such an extremity must not
| be resortcd to.
"We have tho right and should exercise IL