The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14
HE Venezuelan Situation.
BY WILLIAM E. HAROLD.

England has profted as much as Ven
ezuela through the development Of the
Esequibo gold region. Her merchants in
/ Trinidad and Georgetown outfit most Of
the prospecting parties to this region
and trade is what counts IN a new coon-
! try.
As to Germany's position In the colon
/ ization scheme; unquesti9nably the pres
ent kaiser has more idea Of extension Of
empire than any other European ruler,
and he IS backed by the majority of his
/ people. The agrarian class wish II as a
means of escape from military service
and the tyranny of rather mediaeval
ideas existant in sections of Germany.
The German youth Is beginning to be-
lieve that liberty consists Of more than
university songs. That the German mer-
| chants in Venezuela would welcome most
glodly the seizure OF Venezuela goes
without saying. The German is accustom-
ed at home TO a very paternal govern
ment and he would appreciate the same
treatment away from home.
The great question is where does the
United States stand IN the event Of Ger
man aggression in Yenezula? Journals
all over the country have been full Of the
Monroe doctrine for the last week. VIII
the principles of this doctrine be present.
ed to Germany or England in the shape
of demand for them to withdraw from
Venezuelan territory?
There seems to be three courses open
in the present crisis.
First, the seizure of the Venezuelan
custom houses and the use of the tariffs
by England and Germany for the col
lection of their debts. Venezuela many
oppose this action with force land pres
ent advices seems to point that way, or
she may kill the goose thar lays the gold
en- egg by repeating duties.
In either event, war would probably
follow.
The second course Is for England and
Germany to call on the United States to
act as guarantee for the Venezuelan
debt This would mean that the United
States would have to underwrite this
debt, and 1t Is very doubtful whether the
American people, through congress, would
authorize such action. England's and
Germany's plea would probably be on the
ground that the Monroe doctrine must
work both ways. That, as they are for
bidden to acquire territory or assume
control Of the Venezuelan government
in order to collect their debts, why the
United States must be responsible for
her wards. This has been the tone of
some Of the English press for some time.
The United States certainly does not
comings, financial and otherwise of her
Spanish American neighbors.
The third plan of settlement is a joint
administration of Venezuelan affairs by a
German, English and American commits
sion for a term Of years. Say in ten
years The Venezuelan government would
be sound financially and perhaps morally
although the latter is doubtful 1t
would then be possible to trust the Ven
ezuelans the management Of their affairs.
They would have had a most wholesome
object lesson IN government.
This is certainly a most radical de-
parture, and the situation bristles with
difficulties. But Is it not the best way
to obtain lasting results?
To leave the political aspect of the case
aside for a moment and look at 1t from
a business standpoint of view what has
the United States ever had n the way Of
trade from the South American republics?
IT is not necessary to quote statistics. Any
manufacturer or iobber III the north, east
ard south win admit has never seri-
ouslv considered these countries as an
available market. There are shoe houses
in New England, dry goods houses in
New York. and some southern Gotten oil
mills interested in the West Indian trade
and in British and Dutch Guiana. But
any attempt to trade with the neighbour
ing Spanish republics has never
been prolific of results The reason is
very evident. English and Dutch laws
are enforced in their colclica and her
merchants are consequently reliable and
worthy Of credit Spanish law Is another
thing It drags intorminahy and claims
go on forever Amerlo manufacturers
and jobbers are slow to risk money in