The professional world. (Columbia, Mo.) 1901-192?, 1902-12-19
POSITION OF UNCLE SAM
VENEZUELAN QUESTION DIS
CUSSED BY SENATE.
The Speeches Were All One WAY
All United in Cordial Support of
the Monroe Doctrine-No Cause for
Interference-Allied Powers With
in Their Rights in the Matter
Position of United States.

towers with
in Their Rights in the Matter
Position of United States.
Washington, Dec. 1.-THE Vene.
zuelan question occupied the senate in
executive session today for almost ar
hour. The question came up informal.
ly almost Immediately after the house
was excluded. Teller, disclaiming all
intention of being critical, and saying
he merely desired information, asked
| Cullom, chairman of the committee on
foreign relations, what information he
possessed as to the Venezuelan affair.
Teller said the situation is such that
senators felt the Monroe doctrine, at
any time, might become involved if
complications should continue.
Cullom said he had no knowledge of
recent events not published. Bacon,
Hoar, Lodge and Stewart made re-
marks. In none of the addresses was
anything harsh or critical said. The
tone of the speeches, whether by Re-
publicans or Democrats, were that our
position as a nation should be one of
watchfulness. There was a general
agreement that, while the means adopt-
ed by Great Britain and Germany for
collection of their debts was quite SIREN
uous, they thus far had committed no
infringement of the Monroe doctrine.
and therefore had done nothing to
which the United States could take ex-
ception.
Cullom, in his remarks, reviewed the
representation of Germany to the Uni
ted States regarding Venezuela a year
ago, and the failure of that country to
pay interest on the debt due Germans.
The German note explicitly stated there
was no intention to interfere with the
Monroe doctrine. To this Hay replied
in effect that the Monroe doctrine was
not intended to shield any American
nation from payment of honest debts,
and that its purpose was to prevent
acquisition of territory by old world
nations. To further elucidate the posi-
ton of the United States on the Mon
roe doctrine, Cullom quoted the recent
utterance on the subject in the presi-
dents message.
Attention was also called to Lord
Lansdowne's declaration that there was
no disposition or desire on the part of
Great Britain to acquire Venezuelan
territory.
Bacon of Georgia, leading minority
member of the committee on foreign
affairs, said that OF a question of this
kind there would be NO party division.
that everybody would stand with the
administration in doing what vas best
for the general good. There was no
desire on the part of any n to en-
barrass those in control of affairs, and
upon whom devolved the duty of pro-
tecting American interests. The main
tenance of the Monroe doctrine. he adj
ded. devolved on the whole people.
Hoar said thus far nothing had been
done to aust apprehension.
Stewart thought the bombardment of
a Venezuelan fort should be accepted
as a warning of what this country
might expect whenever excuse might
offer. He gave as a reason for his ad-
mOnition the fact that our recent ac-
QUESTION of territory had aroused the
jealousy of European powers and that
they might attack us at any time. Not
in two generations" he said, could We
build up a navy equal to that of Great
Britain. We can strengthen our coast
Notifications, and in view of Vene-
Zuela's experience it behooves us to do
So"
AS there was 40 formal question be-
fore the senate the matter was dropped.
Advices received at the German en-
bassy today relative to the sinking of
the Venezuelan gunboats by the allied
fleet bring important details about this
incident. 1t seems that of the three
Venezuelan men-of-war captured by
the Germans the Restaurador is of 100
tons displacement and the two others
of 1877 tons. Manned with German sail
ors, the Restaurador now flies the Ger
man flag. The others, it is claimed,
were not seaworthy enough to make the
voyage to Trinidad, nor was it possible
to tow them to port, as the squadron
was in search of Venezuelan men-of-
war. The German commander, it is ad-
ded, realizing that the ships were of no
value, decided to sink them.
AS far as Secretary Hays proposal to
the powers of arbitration is concerned,
it is learned from an official source that
in view of the fact that the allied pow
ers have agreed to assist in the press
ing of their claims against Venezuela
there is a feeling that the reply of Ger
many, Great Britain and Italy should
be unanimous. Italy has assured the
government she wished to act in strict
accordance with Roosevelt's interpreta-
ton of the Monroe doctrine.
New York, Dec. 16.-At the offices of
the Red Line steamers, which vessels
run from here to Venezuelan ports, it
was said today that the Zulia has ar
at La Guayra all right according
to advices received, and that the Mara
caibo, which is now due here, will leave
for the port on Saturday according to
her regular schedule. The company
does not anticipate their steamers will
be interfered with.
Patriotic Demonstration.
New York, Dec. ICE. Gonzales
Esteves, Venezuelan consul in New
York, received the following today from
Secretary Ferris Cardensas. President
secretary, dated Caracas, Dec.