Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-17
UNEAslNESS AT WASHINGTON.
Democrats Inclined to Think the
Monroe Doctrine Affected.

WASHINGTON. d. c., December 10
rSpecial.)-After the Cabinet meeting to-
5av administration sources let out the
information that no news has been re-
ceiyed here that in any way causes thls
government TO change its attitude To-
ward the Venezuelan trouble. 1t Is con-
fdent!y stated, further, that neither Ger
many nor England, nor both, will attempt
,o oyehstep the afreement made with the
State Department as to securing from
Venezuela the claims those countries hold
against the South American republic
The administration pretends that 1t mas
not the least fear that the consequences
in Venezuela will be an encroachmcnt
upon any phase of the historic prlncl-
pies of the Monroe Doctrine. Inc ut,er
confidence of the administration leaoS 10
the belief that this attitude is DelnG
taken TO cover any minor encroach1nchls
that may be made in Venezuela
The administration has placed itself IN
n dangerous position, and one that might
prove the political downfall Of the Presl-
dent and his entire party. II II once
admitted that Germany and England nave
gone peyond the agreement had with
them. the people Of the country VIII tnei
place the blame on an ADMINISTRATOR
which permitted complication OF 81 ua-
tions TO arise that allow this TO be done.
Althoueh it might not be too late to
say. Venezuelan territory, it would DC
ZOO late to convince the voters and peo-
nle of the United States that a serious
blunder had not been made somewhere
and that the administration was not re-
sponsitle for allowing the TWO loreish
nations to place themselves IN poslllon
where they could begin encroachments.
;>in nS 2
10 assure the country that everything -
al, right. and that nothing can or "1:i
hannen to cause this country 10 inter-
ferc. 'rhe minute there is interference
will be the minute that sonebod! WIZ nc
,eld responsible in this country for an en-
tanclement that gives promise ol 6-co'
danger. o,,,,
Rather than expose minor encroach-
n1ants and draw attention to 1hem oS
meal warning to England and Ger
wan, the logic of bad position by the
administration would be naturaiE 70
ignore what might happen SO long as 're
Monroe doctrine was not ilasraiit's "i',1
onenlv violated, and an affront cast t'idl
wo,,ld arouse the entire country. any
belliperent stand at the last minute. any
rrandstand play 10 appeal to the country
wo,,ld bring with il serious consideration
from thoughtful minds in every oirec'loli.
whether all this and more should not
have hean thought OF before two DIG ma
tions were permitted by admlnlstratioli
sanction to undertake the role OF rigid
narnnt with a small nation. Naturally,
therefore, the administration feels good
reason for assuring the country that the
two charitable and loving nations or
England and Germany were doing no
ming TO cause official alarm here, ana
we're not expected to do anything: ina.
kind of a position prevents analysis OF
10 causes leading up to this trouble. and
sets aside, temporarily. at least, the dis
nosition of the mind TO lay blame some-
where.
senator Martins Views.
Senator Martin considers the sltua1ion
:, very ticklish one. and the same view is
be,l by the majority OF the Virginia dele
CATION.