The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-11-24
VENEZUELA FEELS
KINDLYTOWARD US.
SHE REMEMBERS WITH GRAFT
TUDE THE ATTITUDE OF THIS
REPUBLIC IN THE PAST SAYS
DR.. ,LIPEY 6ARoLT.

Caracas. Venezuela, November 2s.--Dis-
cussing venezuela's foreign relations, DR..
Lipez Barait, minister of the interior.
/ said:
Towards the United States Venezuela
entertains the kindliest feelings of friend
ship and she remembers with gratitude
the attitude of the great republic in the
past. Venezuela is determined, so far as
she is concerned. that nothing shall oc-
cur to disturb in the slightest degree the
existing understanding with the American
legation and the friendly relations be-
tween the two countries. Venezuela has
nothing to complain of regarding the way
In which the various unimportant ques-
tons have been treated and except for
some pending questions her foreign rela-
lions have been of a cordial character.
The English at Trinidad published few
days ago an official decree declaring the
blockade of the orinoco null and void. If
there is any place where the blockade is
effective 1t Is the Orinoco, for besides the
land defenses, we have maintained sew
eral gunboats which have efficiently per-
formed there all the duties appertaining
to blockade
THE English, too are inconsistent. for
while one journei at Trinidad publishes
the decree declaring the blockade to be
ineffective The Mirror, another publica-
ton, insists that Venezuela is loyalty full
filling her international duty In this re-
spect The British sloop-of-war Famine.
entered the Orinoco without permission
and President Castro had directed a pro-
test against this infringement on Ven
ezuelan sovereignty. 1t has been recog-
nized that the principal foreign ships
shall ask permission to enter the mouth
the disregard of this rule. A similar pro-
test has been sent regarding the action
of the German warship Panther. which
also entered the orinoco without permits
| sion.
Another act which has provoked as
constituent was the hoisting Of the Brit
ish flag on The island Of Patos. venezue-
las right to this island cannot be ques-
toned. Geographically historically and
politically It is Venezuelan territory.
with the island OF Trinidad It is recog-
nized as forming part of the old Spanish
colony by the treaty Of Amiens Trinidad
was ceded to Great Britain, but patos
island remained, and was recognized as
an integral part OF Venezuela. The En-
glish claim to Patos island was based on
the act Of the former Spanish govern
ment which was not recognized by Spain.
II further evidences Of venezuela's rights
were needed the fact that the island is
situated scarcely three miles from the
Venezuelan mainland, while 1t is ten miles
from Trinidad, Is sufficient.
Regarding the relations ba.=een ven-
ezuela and Germany the minister said:
Germany has never given Venezula
any intimation of its purpose to enforce
the collection of its pending claims Pres
| ident Castro has no intention OF evading
a just obligation contracted by the gov
eminent. but on the contrary will meet
| 1t loyalty At the same time ne cannot
be expected to permit any action infring-
ing the rights and dignity of the govern
| ment."