Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-14

this communication must be taken as an
ultimatum. HAGGARD,
British Minister.
To His Excellency, Senior Lopez Baralt,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Caracas, De-
cember Z.
German UItimntum to Venezuela.
Mr.. Ministers: In the name Of the gov
eminent of his majesty, the German en-
peror, l have the honor to make the fol-
lowing communication to the government
of Venezuela:
The Imperial government has been duly
Informed of the note of the minister OF
affairs Of Venezuela, dated the 9th day
of May last. In that note the Venezuelan
government refused the demands OF the
imperial government relative to the pay
ment of German claims arising out of the
civil wars of 1895 to 1900. and to support
their refusal referred to arguments already
put forward.
aiming these arguments anew, do not
think they can consider them satisfactory.
The government of the republic argues in
the first place that owing to the interior
legislation of the country 1t is not pos
sible to arrange the claims of foreigners
course, thus asserting the doctrine that
diplomatic Intervention is excluded by in
That doctrine is not in conformity with
international law, since the question of
judging whether such intervention is ad-
Missile must be appreciated not according
to the dispositions OF the interior legisla-
ton. but in accordance with the principles
OL International law.
Not Covered by Treaty.
The Venezuelan government, with the OBJ
Ject of making a demonstration of diplo-
missible and relies on the twentieth article
of the treaty of am ty, commerce and
civilization between the imperial govern
ment and the republic of Colombia of the
sd of July, 1892.
Thls argument is wanting in efficiency,
firstly, because the treaty is valid only be-
tween the German empire and Colombia,
and because section 5 Of said article is an
Tense against German claims arising out OF
acts committed by the Colombian govern
ment or its allies.
zuelan government are not correct, that
foreign claims consequent on Venezuelan
diplomatic course, for like arrangements
Venezuela concluded with France in 1885
and with Spain in 1898, and a formal agree
ment was signed on the 9Th of February,
1896, between the German minister at Cara
cas- and the Venezuelan minister, at the
order of their respective governments, for
the arrangement of the German claims
consequent on the civil war of 1892.
Excuse is Not valid.
Nor can Importance be given to the other
objection OF the Venezuelan government,
claims is inadmissible because an adequate
road to q settlement is open by the de-
cree of the oath OF January, 1901, since the
proceedings provided for by the decree do
~ - JA1N NS
ton of those claims.
As has been repeatedly said to the vene-
zuelan government, firstly, claims anterior
to the 2Sd Of May, 1893 (which is the date
of the rising headed by the present prest-
dent of the republic). are excluded, while
Venezuela will naturally have to answer
for the acts In forming governments.
Secondly, all diplomatic intervention
against revolutions or by commission, we
court being alone permitted. In spite Of
this, however, as has been seen, there were
II EnnaA n aAa H. N ArnNlANaa d.
pended on the Venezuelan government, and
when occasion has arisen they have been
Finally, the payment of any Claims which
a commission might allow was 10 be effected
with. certificates of the new debt of the
which, from what has been seen hitherto.
would scarcely have value. In fact, the
solution OF the claims. In particular the
few German claims which would be pre-
sented to the commission have, in part,
been u~nseemingly refused, in part reduced,
evidently, in an arbitrary manner, and
even the recognized claims have not been
paid, but the injured parties have been
asked to submit TO a proposed law to be
submitted to congress.
After the failure of several attempts to
induce the government of the republic to
modify the decree in said point the i'm
perial government has been Obliged itself
to examine its subjects claims and i'm
mediately present to the Venezuelan gov
eminent those which were found Justified
Law Is Not Sufficient.
1t is true that afterward the Venezuelan
government raised the possibility of OBJ.
tanning a favorable solution by congress
but the law which was sanctioned by con.
gress at the beginning of the year only
repeats the magnificent provisions of the
sides it only comprises claims which could
not be duly presented to a commission.
conducted its correspondence In an almost
offensive. tone and finally, published the
marked dde!.e conSd en-, sm9n xgit TSniTh tS SeI con Somt
of the imperial government accompanying
them with a memorandum couched In Of
t In spite Of the sincerity of the desir,
which animates the imperial government
y to maintain existing good relations with
Venezuela, and. although far from no
desiring to respect the sovereignty of th'
republic or intermeddle in it's interior in
= ings employed by the Venezuelan govern
ment an intention to deny to the German
= empire claims the settlement due in con
formity with international Jaw.
1t therefore believes itself compelled e
contribute In a definite manner to thei
immediate satisfaction.
The imperial government has consequent!
instructed me to ask. the Venezuelan gov
= man credits which, according 10 my not,
OF the 8lst OF December last, amount Il
l'lS.Sl0 b~olivars. 81 centimes.
Other Claims Are in Danger.
Furthermore, the manner in which Ger
man claims consequent on the war nav
!, been treated by the government OF the re
: public has led the imperial government L
n think that other claims of it's subject
e against the republic also stand In need o
support.
} TO arrive at a just conclusion. therefore
! German claims consequent on the presen
, civil wal az d the credits OF German house
: Occasioned by the slaughter house at Cara
1 cas- and the amount due the great Vene
n zuelan railroad for interest and scrip o
the 5 per cent Venezuelan loan of 1896
which were delivered In redemption of
% guaranty Of interest, must be considered 4
s the same light.
II BY order of the imperial government.
h have to ask the Venezuelan government
h to make a declaration Immediately that /
s recognizes in principle the correctness o
g these demands and is willing &c. accent tn
8 decision of a mixed Commission, with tn
h object of having them determined and as
sured In all their details.
TIT imperial government hopes the gov
eminent of the republic will satisfy al
just demands of Germany and not oblig
, the imperial government itself to enforc
their satisfaction. Al the same time tn
imperial government thinks Il should no
omit TO mention that II has been informeI
by the British government OF its claim
against Venezuela, Tn two government
satisfaction OF all demands.
o PILGRIM-BADTAZZI,
German Charge d'Affaires.
TIL above documents have not been mad
public in Venezuela.
both sides ChPture ships.