The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1902-12-19
CITY OFFICIAL PAPER.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1902.
VENEZUELA'S TROUBLES.

fF0S1QonG castro OF N600Zu0ld
seems to have settled the last inter
nal revolution only to find his coun-
try face to face with a most serious
foreign situation.
During the numerous revolutions
that have occurred in Venezuela, GER
tain German and English citizens
have heretofore sustained damages,
for which claims have been pre-
scented through their respective gov
ernments. Not receiving favorable
replies from President Castro, the
two big nations have combined for
the purpose of securing "satisfac-
ton" from the little republic, and so
far as it has progressed the play
seems to be a comedy of blunders.
First came the precipitate flight of
the German and English ministers,
which cowardly action put in jeop-
ardy the lives and property of all the
German and English residents of
Venezuela. Then the allied forces
seized several Venezuelan vessels
that were undergoing repairs and de-
stroyed the. No formal blockade
was declared, nor does any rational
program seem to have been followed
by the allied powers to enforce the
settlement of the claims. The crown
ing act of stupidity, however, was
the Smelling of the fortress and Gus
toms house at Puerto Cabello. Two
Of the allied cruisers appeared be-
fore that place, and learning that a
mob had pulled down the flag of
small British vessel, a demand was
made for immediate satisfaction"
for the action Of the mob, and the
American consul could secure no
postponement of the threatened bonn
bardment, word was sent to Presi-
dent Castro and he wired the chief
official at Puerto Cabello to give the
British commander ample satisfac-
ton, but before the message could
be forwarded to the allied forces, the
bombardment had begun and the
fortress was soon in ruins.
dignifed demand on the part of
England and Germany, followed by
a seizure of the customs houses to
enforce a settlement of the claims
would not have been criticized by
the civilized world, but the wanton
destruction of property merely o &C.
cure satisfaction is something which
smacks too much of barbarism. The
action of England and Germany in
jumping upon Venezuela can only be
compared to two big DULLES bouncing
upon little school boy.
Suppose the question at issue had
been with the United States instead
of Venezuela, would the two big ma
tons have been so ready to go to
war? BY no means! Instead, their
attitude would have been most civil
il not positively servile
The Venezuelans are supposed to
be only half civilized but the words
of President Castro should put to
shame the so-called civilized nations
that are responsible for the difficulty
In counseling the populace not to in
terfere with the English and. German
residents, President Castro said:
Citizens: The size of nations
like the size of men, is measured
only by their acts. Those born brave
prove their valor on the battlefield
not against defenseless citizens, who
perhaps are innocent are in theil
hearts with us, and who are ashamed
of the infamy of their compatriots.
I'VE will seek prisoners for Vene
zuelan jails on the battlefield. Oul
action will be directed only against
those who come armed However
great may be our Indignation we
must behave as civilized people, espe
cially now when the most powerful
nations of Europe are behaving like
real savages. | counsel the creates
prudence in order not to abandon
our rights, the justice of our cause
and our reputation.
The same rules should govern be
tween nations as between men, ant
the weakness of Venzuela should in
spire kindly generosity on the par
of the stronger nations.
The Monroe doctrine does not ap
ply unless England or German,
should attempt to hold some of tn,
territory now belonging to Vene
zuela, and our government has no in
terest in the affair beyond the desir
of every American to see fair pla,
and the contempt which is inspiret
by the action of the two big powers.
=----
Dolls! Five cents and up at Wi