Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-12-27
The Venezuelan Situation.


quarters to grow a little hysterical
over the attempt of various European
to collect some long overdue
debts from the Venezuelan government
and to attribute to them Interior mo-
tives very different from those which
they have frankly announced from the
start. In considering this question in
diligently the fact must not be lost
sight of that the debts which Ven
czuela has been called upon to pay are
really those of private. citizens ana
grew directly out of the opportunities
given foreign capitalists by the Ven
ezuclan government to construct rail-
road lines, and carry on other large
business enterprises in that country.
Having invested their money in enter
prises of this general character these
foreign citizens hold the Venezuelan
government responsible for the protec-
ton of their legal rights. This it has
been hard for that government to &C
cord. owing to the internal discords
that have characterized its affairs.
There are said to have been not
less than 1O7 distinct revolutions
since Venezuela became so-called
republic. and for any govern
ment, itself standing upon an insecure
basis and maintained only at the point
all the damage done to foreign inter-
ests by the discordant elements seek
ing it's overthrow, is to assume an
enormous responsibility and burden.
and vet there can be no doubt but
what the Venezuelan people as whole,
and through their de facto government
are responsible. for the damage done
the foreign interests on their territory.
The German chancellor in discuss
ing this question recently stated that
the claims of his country against Ven
ezuela were not in the character of
mere business debts contracted by the
republic, but grew directly out of acts
of violence committed against German
citizens in that country either by
forced loans. by the seizure of cattle
without payment, or by the pillage of
German houses and estates. Add to
this the destruction of railroads and
their rolling stock in which England
has been largely interested and ex-
tend the grievances of the German
people to include all foreigners resi-
dent in Venezuela and we get a very
good conception of the reasons for the
present vigorous measures being pur-
which have naval forces now operat-
ing in Venezuelan waters. The United
States government has no desire to re-
lieve Venezuela or any other South
American country from the necessity
of meeting promptly and in spirit of
justice its financial obligations: il
merely insists that in collecting the
debts due their citizens, there shall be
no permanent occupation by European
countries of Venezuelan territory. This
is the Monroe doctrine in it's tactical
application. Thus far the expressions
of the foreign governments have spe-
officially disclaimed. any intention OF
Selling territory in fact England has
openly endorsed the Monroe doctrine
and the German chancellor has de-
clarcd that his country has not the
slightest intention to make any terri
tory acquisitions in Venezuela DR.
Won Hollcben the German ambassador
at Washington states that he has beer
Officially authorized" to say that the
statements in the newspapers to the
effect that Germany is trying to &C.
quire coaling stations, or a foothold o
some sort. in South American or Wes
Indian waters IS absolutely without
foundation, y his must mean that HI
has been specifically instructed by the
German emperor to make this asser
ton 10 the American people. While
protecting South American countrie.
from territorial invasion. the United
States has no desire to shield them il
any way from just financial obliga.
tons. much less to guarantee directly
or Indirectly the payment of any O
their debts. 1t has simply Insisted thai
European countries should secure Nc
further territory in this hemisphere
The expressed willingness therefore o.
European countries TO leave all exist.
ing debts and claims against Ven.
ezuela in President Roosevelt's hand.
for arbitration, is not without it's EN-.
barrassments. While the exercise OF
such an Office could not bind the Uni.
ted States 10 pay, any of Venezuela:
debts any more than the recent de.
cision of King Oscar of Sweden in tn,
Samoan matter made Sweden in an,
way responsible for the enforcing Of hi.
decree, still there is feeling that 4
would mt AT least a moral rtl;r~ 80,