Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-12
Queer Proceedings at La Guaira.

It is difficult to understand the motives
animating the British and German authori-
ties in control Of the Venezuelan campaign.
Incidents have occurred which are so far
beyond the ordinary rules Of international
relationship as to demand explanation.
Why. for instance. did the British and Ger
man ministers leave their final notes at the
private residence Of the minister for for
eign affairs at Caracas on a Sunday, in
stead of presenting them In ordinary form
at the official place of business on a week
day? The emergency was not acute, no
lives hung in the balance, the issue was
merely financial, susceptible at least of
few hours delay. Then, what ground was
there for a precipitate flight from Caracas
and La Guaira by these officials, so hasty
in fact that the wife of one of the German
diplomats was left lying Ill in the official
residence, exposed to the fury of the mob
which later besieged the legation?
But the episode which most emphaticalIy
calls for explanation is the seizure and de-
struction Of Venezuelan gunboats In the
harbor Of La Guaira by the British vessels.
War had not been declared. AS far as can
be ascertained the time limit set by the
ultimatum had not expired. In any event,
the destruction Of the vessels was unyrar-
debt. 1t was an abuse of power and wan
ton waste OF property, and It's offensive
character is heightened by the discrimina-
ton shown IN sparing the one ship which
belonged to Frenehman
1t may be alleged In extenuatton Of this
destructive. unprecedented action that it
was in retaliation for the arrest of British
and German subjects by Venezuela. The
dispatches are not altogether clear as to
the sequence of the proceedings, whether
the arrests preceded or followed the seizure
of the ships. But II in retaliation, why
were the vessels destroyed? There Is no
parallel to Justify throwing away a chance
for exchange Had the vessels been merely
held as hostages for either the persons Of
the arrested ones or the debt Itself there
would haYe, been some measure OF sense in
the aotionr whether it.waa warranted or un-
warranted In the absence of a decaara ton Of
war. j. - ''1I-.1. 80 z-l
If 1t should be discovered that President
Castro arrested the foreigners to save them
from the mobs which were raging through
the streets, the foreign ministers having
abandoned their countrymen and proceeded
to make war on Venezuela without provid-
Ing for their safety. the proceedings Of the
diplomatic and naval officers will appear In
most unpleasant light.
TIE natural course Of procedure at La
Guaira would have been for England and
Germany to wait until the time limit ex-
pired. then land a sufficient force and take
possession Of the custom house there
would have been ample precedent for such
method. If incidentally 1t were found ad-
visable to remove the Venezuelan navy
from the scene Of activity there would have
been lilo occasion to object to the seizure
OF the vessels and their detention under
guard at distance from the scene Of &C.
tivities. II then President Castro had
waged war on the landing forces ordinary
measures of warfare In opposition would
have been Justifiable:
The United States cannot afford to be
pressed by the circumstances into the at
titude Of condoning or Justifying the pro-
ceedings at La Guaira. II a pledge has
been given by England and Germany to
abstain from territorial seizures or de-
mands. that fact Will prevent us from for
chilly intervening for venezuela's protection
But or the other hand. II Germany and
England are going to proceed against Ven
ezuela as II she had no international stand
Ing and no rights which those powers are
bound to respect, then Minister Bowen can
not be expected to hold Venezuela to the
observance Of international law for the ben
eft Of Germans and Englishmen in Ven
ezuela. 1t would be most unfortunate for
this government to be drawn into such a
seeming relation to the case as to appear
In South American eyes as standing as
Europe's ally in unwarranted and oppres-
sive actions.