The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-16
IT IS EXPLAINED
Statement of the Venezuelan Affair
Made in Parliament Last
Night.
No Infraction Of the Monroe Doc
trine-Premier Balfour on
Arbitration.


matter came up in parliament last even
ing, the house was crowded
M. Schwann, after having expressed
surprise that the government was anxious
for another war after South Africa, COM
planned Of the paucity Of the information
given to parliament. p
He hoped arbitration would be accept
ed. because, although President Roose-
welt is anxious to act correctly, the
situation is full Of danger and the presl-
dents hand might be forced by poll
ticians. E
Lord Iansdowne reproached Mr..
Schwann with a desire to discredit the
government and explained that the
papers in the Venezuelan matter were
very voluminous and those Issued were
only a summary. He said that Great
Britain had to perform police duty among
the nations and had to prevent Venezuela
! from breaking the law Of nations. The
United States took the sensible view that
Great Britain's insistence that Venezuela
should meet her engagements was not an
nfraction of the Monroe doctrine.
mo country has been more anxious
than Great Britain said Lord Gram
borne, Ito assist the American govern
ment in maintaining that doctrine
This remark was greeted with cheers.
Continuing, the under foreign secretary
said that the British government had dis
| played great forbearance and that 1T was
| moned to do right that the government
| had been driven to strong measures to
secure the safety, liberty and property Of
! British subjects in Venezuela, and that
| in the execution of these matters the gov
eminent desired to pursue the same
| course of moderation.
| Lord Cranborne said also r that the
blockade would be carried out with every
| regard for the interests Of neutrals.'
The liberal leader, Sir Henry Campbell
Bannerman, then voiced his strong dis
satisfaction with Lord Cranborne' s
speech. He complained Of the lack of
| information about the German and Brit
ish claims, which he said seemed to be on
different footing. The speaker said that
| in this matter Great Britain seemed to
be bound hand and foot to Germany.
I'VE can do nothing with regard to our
claims continued the liberal leader.
unless the Germans are perfectly satisfied
with the settlement of their claims.
| Such an agreement is contrary to the
| cOuntry's best interests. The noble lord
has said nothing about an important COM
munication received from the United
States; there would be universal satisfac-
ton If this communica ton was of such
nature as to lead to peaceful solution
of what after all seems to be a somewhat
squalid difficulty
Premier Bafour Speaks.
Premier Balfour accused the mover and
the seconder Of the motion to adjourn Of a
desire to discredit the government, and
said that this was not the way to ap-
proach painful international episode
The premier declared that there was no
jurisdiction for the assumption that the
government was prepared to go to war for
| the Venezuelan bondholders. The crux OF
the matter was a series of outrages by
| Venezuela on British seamen and ship
owners for which not only had compensa-
| ton been refused, but Great Britains re-
monstrances had been entirely disregard-
| ed. It was an intolerable situation, and
! the premier denied that the government
had unduly been hasty. Sir Henry Camp
| bell-Bannerman appeared to desire to CO.
operate with Germany on his own peculiar
terms, but few allies would be prepared tc
act on such basis.
Mr.. Balfour declared that in so far as
the financial claims were concerned, the
government was prepared to agree to q
tribunal to assess them equitably. He
added also that the United States govern.
ment had not suggested arbitra ton
Anglo American interests in Venezuela
had been entrusted to the American
minister at Caracas, Mr.. Bowen, WIKI
with admirable energy, had protected the
lives and property Of British subjects
The premier said he understood that i
was from Venezuela through the United
States the suggestion of arbitration hat
that it was unfortunate that Venezuela
had not thought of the advantages of ar
bitration during the long period covered
by these controversies, but that on tn
contrary she should have refused all ex
PLANTATION or apology until actually en-
i gagged in hostilities; then this idea O
arbitration suddenly commended itself t.
the minds Of the Venezuelans. TIL
q premier said he would say nothing for O
against this idea, and repeated that
I had not come from the government O
A the United States.
T Replying to questions, Premier Balfou
I said that Italy was sending warships t
I Venezuelan waters, but that there was n
agreement between Italy and the Unite
4 States as there was between German
: and England. Referring to the Anglo
L German fleets on the Venezuelan coas
the premier said that there was no ques
ton of seniority, as the two fleets wer
4 acting along different parts of the coas