The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-12-11
ATTITUDE OF UNITED STATES
DEFINED IN PRESIDENTS MON
ROE DOCTRINE UTTERANCES. ..

Not to Guarantee Any State against
Punishment for Misconduct Pro-
vided 1t Does Not Take the Form of
Acquisition of Territory-Nitnister
Bowen Acting in Accordance With
Instructions.
Washington, Dec. 10.-Minister Bow
ems prompt action in demanding of
President Castro the release of the
German and British subjects arrested
in Caracas yesterday is in accordance
with the plan agreed on between the
German and British ambassadors and
Secretary Hay when the former called
at the state department fully three
weeks ago and, in anticipation of the
present ugly situation in Venezuela, re-
quested that the United States minister
at Caracas be permitted to protect the
lives and property of all British and
German citizens in Venezuela.
1t is understood that President Cas-
tro was advised of this action. 1t was
pointed out by European diplomat of
high rank to-day that in forcing Min
lister Bowen to demand the release of
those arrested President Castro is fore
ing him to act contrary to the decree
of the Washington government not to
become involved in the international
dispute. Both Germany and Great
Britain, it was said, fully appreciate
the position Of the United States and
are determined that this country shall
not be drawn unnecessarily into the
trouble.
1t was also stated that President
Roosevelt's recent interpretations of
the Monroe doctrine were being looked
to by both nations as authority for the
extent to which they could go in their
claims against Venezuela without en-
barrassing the United States. The par
ticular utterance of the president on
which they have set their attention is
this:
This (the Monroe) doctrine has
nothing to do with the commercial re-
lations of any American power, save
that in truth it allows each of them to
form such as it desires. In other words,
it is a really a guaranty of the COM
mercial independence of the Americas.
We do not ask under this doctrine for
any exclusive commercial dealings with
any other American state. We do not
guarantee any state against punish
ment if it misconducts itself, provided
that punishment does not take the form
of the acquisition of the territory by
any American power"
But one cablegram has been received
to-day by the state department from
Minister Bowen at Caracas. That re-
lates to the seizure by British and Ger
man vessels of the Venezuelan navy at
La Guaira. He makes no reference
whatever to any seizures of custom
houses. Mr. Bowen expresses the Opin-
ion that similar seizures of vessels may
have been made at other ports
Mr. Bowen wishes to play the part of
peacemaker between the principals in
this dispute and the state department
has decided that he may do this only
upon application from Venezuela for
his good offices, and their acceptability
to the British and German representa-
tives.
The latest report from Mr. Bowen to
the department confirms the press dis
patches relative to the seizure of the
Venezuelan navy in the port of Cara
cas- yesterday. 1t is expected that the
next step will be the announcement of
a formal blockade of that port by the
British and German warships.
Continued on Seventh Page.)