The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-12-18
GAN VENEZUELA PAY7

V ESTERDAY'S DEVELOPMENTS in
the Venezuelan trouble indicate
that the situation is more gravely crit
zeal than it has ever been. Beginning
with a demand from England and Ger
many for the payment of debts alleged
to be due from Venezuela to citizens Of
those countries, Italy, Spain and Bel
GUM have presented claims, and it be-
gins TO look as if the South American
republic would be wiped off the map.
The powers insist that no violation of
the Monroe doctrine is intended, and
this is perhaps true, but they have al
ready violated every rule of fair pro-
cedure that has been laid down for the
government of international relations.
Broken and helpless, Venezuela can
make but a feeble resistance to the al
lied fleets. They have already de-
stroyed her navy and have now insti-
tuted a blockade of her coast. In their
hour of trial the Venezuelans are act
ing as patriots should act. According
to the dispatches. all of her people, in
GLIDING those who fought lately against
the government, have rallied to the
support of President Castro. The in
surgent general, Hernandez, has been
released from prison in order that he
may marshal his forces against the
common foe.
OF course the conflict can have but
one ending. Great Britain and Ger
many will inevitably accomplish their
intention of Selling a Venezuelan Gus
tom house and holding it until their
claims are paid. This. it is held, does
not constitute a violation of the Mon
roe doctrine. Speaking strictly, it does
not, but now long will the allied forces
be permitted to hold the custom house?
We are informed that in round num-
bers Venezuela owes Germany and
Great Britain some $30,000,000. Ven
ezuela, in 1896, negotiated a loan of
$40. 600 600 in Germany and England. No
part of the money has ever been paid,
and the interest, at the rate of 3 per
cent, has been defaulted for four years.
Germany's heaviest claim is one of $15,-
O0O. coo for o Venezuelan railroad, the
government guaranteeing payment. 1t
is asserted that more than $4,000, 900 are
due to German citizens for carrying
troops over this road.
Now let us seN where the debt col
lectors are going to finish, if we can.
1t is the general understanding that
the port of La Guayra is to be seized
by the allies. The bolivar, worth about
20 cents, is the money unit in Ven
ezuela. During six months of 1902 the
collections at La Guayra aggregated
some 100000 bolivars, which would be
at the rate of S,OOO,OO bolivars, or ST.
100000. a year. The $3O,OOO,OOO indebt-
edness draws interest at the rate of !
per cent, or 81, 500, 900 a year Assum-
ing that the collections are maintained
at the same rate as for the period
named, it is apparent that most of the
citizens of the United States who are
now alive will be dead years and years
before England and Germany relinquish
that custom house.
However, it is not at all probable that
the customs receipts would hold up well
in hostile hands. Importations of all
kinds would be discouraged, for moth
ing could prevent the government from
levying other duties on goods taken into
the interior. So it is impossible to say
even approximately when the Venezue-
lans would again be given charge OF
their own affairs.
1t is not too late for mediation now
If Venezuela needed a lesson she has
been taught one. The powers have
nothing to gain by continuing the cor
fict. On the other hand, they have
everything to lose.