The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-09-23
Diplomatic Relations on Verge
Of Being Severed,
HOSTIuTIES NOT PROBABLE
Cause of the Crisis Is Not Confined to
Any Particular Incident, But Con-
sists In Various Differences
Dating Back Many Months

London, September 22-The Associated
Press is in a position to announce that
diplomatic relations between Great
Britain and Venezuela are on the verge
of being severed Any day, almost any
hour may bring the announcement that
the British minister at Caracas has been
given his passport with corresponding
action towards the Venezuelan represen-
tative in London. The cause of the crisis
does not seem to be confined to any par
ticular incident. but consists of various
differences which eliminated in vene-
zuela assuming such an angry attitude
as to leave Downing street FULLY Inn
pressed with the belief that the vene-
zuelan government intends to force mat
ters to crucial issue. That diplomatic
rupture will result in hostilities is con-
tingency thus far scarcely contemplated.
The present diplomatic relations are SO
strained that, to quote a responsible
British official, it would really make very
little difference If the fact became public
property by the absence of the diplomatic
representative from Caracas and London.
Can't Deal With Her.
The view of the foreign office is that
affairs have reached stage where it Is
impossible to deal sufficiently with vene-
zuela in any matter which may come up.
In proof of this contention the foreign Of
fee instances the report OF the United
States minister at Caracas. Herbert W.
Bowen, announcing that the Venezuelan
government has protected against the
British flag being raised over Patos Tor
Goose) island. over which the Venezuelan
government claimed sovereignty.
According to the British governments
understanding Patos island belongs to
Great Britain just as much as Trinidad.
and so far as known no question as to
its ownership has ever arisen. Inhabi-
tants of the island have recently been
shot or otherwise endangered through
the action of Venezuelans. whether gov
ernment or revolutionary partisans. Is
not known. For purposes of protection
the local West Indian authorities order
ed the British flag to be permanently
displayed on the island. hence the pro-
test of the foreign officer is only one OF
many
An exceptionally prominent official said
to representative of the Associated
Press this afternoon:
Hopelessly MuddIed.
'The affairs in Venezuela are so hope
ltSHly IuuuQitQ llldl We Idil Bct hOellAi8
done. There is no concealing the fact
that the Venezuelan government haa
made heated protests to our minister.
The chief grievance appears to be tha
allegation that the British government
is aiding the revolutionary army. 1t is
needless to say this is principally the
basis.
1--WE wish the United States would take
over the whole country and then. per-
haps we could get some peace.
"Of all the disturbances of the last
decade the present seems to be the worst.
This, combined with the attitude of the
nominal government makes us somewhat
Indifferent to any action which may
take place. The venezuelans appear In
clined to be rather reckless, chihy be-
cause OF what / presume is the mistaken
notion that Washington will protect them
from the results of their own folly, how
ever inmical that might be to the lives
and property of British subjects and
those of other Europeans. AS we UNDER
stand Monroeism, Venezula is quite mis-
taken in this matter, though apparently
the impression has much to do with her
present action