The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-19
TRYING TO ALLAY SUSPICION.
Germans Think Their Actions Should
Not He Misconstrued I'm America.


BERLIN. Dec. 18-The Cologne Gazette,
in an evidently inspired statement to-day
endeavors to allay the uneasiness regard
ing Germany's actions in Venezuela, which.
according to practically all the special dis
patches coming from America, prevails in
the United States. There are no facts
says the statement, Ito support the dis
trust of Germany expressed in many quar-
tiers. The government of the United States
knows well that Germany as little thinks Of
sezing Venezuelan territory as of planting
her flag on the mountains Of the moon.
Even If we could annex Venezuela without
a protest from the United States we would
forego so doing, as complications with the
United States would be bound to follow
Germany does not think of waging a land
war. She believes she can force her just
demands by means of blockade. The real
cause of her action was the robbery and
plumber in the guise or war contributions TO
which our ccuntrymen were exposed. Pay
ment of our claims arising therefrom is our
demand. Then we insist on a settlement of
the question CT Venezuela's relations with
the Great Venezuelan Railroad and ask
that the bankers claims be submitted to
the consideration OF mixed commission.
In the ultimatum only the immediate pay
ment of proved claims was required In
fact, the German government proceeded in
patience and moderation.
Aside from the financial claims mentioned
In her ultimatum Germany expects some
form of apology from Venezuela for the
diplomatic insults, which the Foreign ONCE
says are more serious and more gross than
those of which Great Britain complains.
The Foreign Office officials point out that
Premier Balfour's remark yesterday even
ing in the House of Commons about Ger
many having other than financial claims
must be understood as applying TO diplo-
matte reparation for the insults and not TO
a material indemnity, like money or terri
tory.
The Foreign Office is again calling atten-
ton to the suspicious in the United states
lest Germany effect landing In Fene-
zuela. 1t says a refutation of such sus-
picions ought TO be perceived in the slender
forces at the disposition of Germany. There
are scarcely three hundred men who could
be spared from the squadron, not suffl-
cient number to take Laguayra, let alone
form an expedition into the interior.
1t is not settled whether the notification
of the commencement of the blockade will
be made public in Berlin and London sim
ultaneously or take the form of a communi-
cation from the two commanders or the
The publication will apparently be delayed
q day or two. -
The foreign officials say that a reply to
venezuela's arbitration proposal has not
yet been sent. The Foreign Office Is still
exchanging views on the subject with Lon
don. Although the Foreign Office does not
give the least hint or the character or Ger
many's reply, ii seems certain that arbitra-
ton will not be accepted, though the re-
fusal may be accompanied by fresh suS-
gestions.
The fact which impresses the foreign OBJ
server here is the quiet indifference of the
newspapers and people toward the Vene-
zuelan affair. Not Berlin newspaper has
a leading article on the subject to-day. and
the news published is largely an abstract
OF what the London and New York papers
are saying. The Germans appear TO be as
tonished at the commotion In Great Britain
and the United States over what is re-
garded here as mere episode. Few OF the
German newspapers have correspondents
in New York. but those who are there tele-
graph that Germany Is seemingly without
one friend In the country and trace the
cause TO Germanys alleged attitude to-
ward the United States during the SPAN
ish-American war. The popular feeling in
Great Britain against cooperation with
Germany Ii attributed here to the German
peoples bearing steward Great Britain dur
ing the South African war.
But IL public opinion Is little concerned
as yet over Venezuela. the Foreign Office
here Is extremely sensitive over the de-
velopments of public feeling abroad. es-
pecially I'm the United States. The reason
for delay in doing anything that would
change the situation either by replying to
venezuelas proposition made through Min
lister Bowen. issuing blockade regulations
J or taking any forward step Is because IL Is