The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-19
VENEZUELA NOT ENTITLED TO
SYMPATHY.


can states that they do not show much
sympathy for Venezuela in her present
trouble, and the most respectable and stable
governments among them show the least
sympathy. Weak and revolutionary gov
ernments. like those of Nicaragua and
powers with great indignation. and
direct attack on the Monroe doctrine. They
wonder why the United States does not
take up Venezuela's cause, and are almost
ready to fight themselves. Some of the
smaller South American states seem to feel
ferently. There has been no expression Of
sympathy from Mexico, which has the most
stable government of any Latin-American
state, nor has there been any to speak of
from Brazil and Argentina. the two lead
ing powers of South America. I'll Pals, a
penny paper of large circulation published
in the City of Mexico. is quoted as saying:
Without doubt Dictator Castro placed his
reliance on an odous Interpretation of the
Monroe doctrine, but that doctrine has
been interpreted in an honest manner by
President Roosevelt, who has declared that,
Wnlle the doctrine IN question Is par
rfer to European Imperialism in America II
cannot prevent European nations from ex-
ercising their rights; it cannot be shield
TO protect from chastisement the excuses
of despots or crimes of tyrants. That doc
trine does not disinherit any nation any
man of the birthright of justice, nor was
II created to give the support of the north
ern colossus to the dementia or frenzy of
agitators. For this reason and in this re-
spect all educated people In Mexico must
range themselves on the side of Roosevelt S
Interpretation.
This is rather surprising statement to
come from paper published at the capital
of a leading Latin-American state. But
Mexico. Brazil and Argentina have honest
and respectable governments. They pay
their debts and observe international obli-
cations and amenities. If they make con-
tracts with, borrow money from or grant
concessions to the subjects of European
powers they observe them in good faith.
They do not repudiate contracts, default on
interest, refuse to pay just claims, ignore
demands made on them for settlement, vio-
late the personal rights of foreigners, seize
or confscate foreign property and insult
foreign flags. The Venezuelan government
has been doing all of these things at inter-
walls for years past to such extent that
half dozen European powers are now
pressing her for the payment of claims or
for damages on account of injuries done to
their subjects. Great Britain, Germany,
Italy, Holland, Belgium and one or two
other powers are making such demands
The claim of Belgium. the last that has
cop,a IN Iiobt avpountip0 ~ SevaraI million
francs, is said to arise from the nonpay-
ment of interest on Venezuelan government
bonds issued as purchase money for the
water works at Caracas, which were pro-
noted by a Belgian company. What right
has a government TO issue bonds fol
a speculative purpose when it already has
| large amount of bonds outstanding or
| which 1T has defaulted in interest? What
sympathy is a government entitled to that
| has bonds in the hands of innocent pur.
| chasers all over the world on which il
has defaulted interest for years past? II
| has been said that blood is thicker thar
water. but the obligation for honest, decent
| and honorable conduct is stronger ever
| than blood. and no honest, seIf-respectins
| Latin-American state can find any jus
ground for sympathizing with a govern
ment that has brought all its troubles upor
| itself.
| The present situation should be lessor
| to European powers. IL they succeed ii
| collecting their present claims against Ven
ezuela or in getting any kind of settle
ment they should one and all notify the
respective subjects that hereafter they will
not become responsible for the protection
! of property or the enforcement of contract
| in Venezuela. Without surrendering thei
present claims they should decline 10 as
sumo any more in future. They shoult
| base this action on the fact. clearly stated
that Venezuela has forfeited the right I,
| be regarded as an honorable power; tina
she has nc claim to be recognized as al
equal by honest governments, and that un
I'll the people show capacity to establish an,
maintain stable government they will hav
no further financial dealings nor undertake
TO protect their subjects i'm any contract
| they may make with her. Perhaps whel
| the people of Venezuela found their gov
eminent financially outlawed by all respect
able powers they would realize the neces
sity of establishing stable and decent gov
| eminent. Without doubt the course pur
sued by Great Britain and Germany ha
been unnecessarily harsh. and they hav
not won any laurels nor any credit by il
but Venezuela herself is not entitled to an
sympathy.
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