The Washington times., 1902-12-21
Criticism of Government for
Its Course SevereSt From
Supporters-Public Senu-
ment With Balfour.
Paris Press Points to Dip
lomatic Victory for the.
United States - Powers
Made to Show Their Hands

LONDON. Dec. 2O.-Public interest in
the Venezuelan complications is increas-
ing in Great Britain owing TO the fact
that the suspicion has become broadcast
that the British government has been
induced unwittingly 10 lends itself to
the execution OF German purposes.
There Is not 81 fficient knowledge On
which to base such an assumption. but
the situation. so far as it has been re-
vealed. i,lpresses Englishmen Of all
classes as highly suspicious. The criu-
cism Of the government in this respect
IS severest from its own supporters.
Il is so general that If Il be assumed
that there is some basis in fact for IT,.
then Il can be taken for granted that il
will accomplish ample Modification Of
the British policy as the situation de-
velops. Il must be recognized. however,
that British opinion thoroughly sup
ports the government iu its decision
that the situation calls for the admins
tration OF sharp dealing with Venezuela.
The only regret is that Great Britain
did not undertake 70 bring the recalci-
tTant country TO terms alone
Public With Balfour.
Public sentiment approves Minister
Balfours virtual declaration that the
chief motive OF the present measures
Is a punitive one and not a mere desire
to collect just debts. public OF private
II Is necessary also to remember that in
pursuance Of this policy and 10 rem
der II effective the powers concerned be
lierc the wisest course viii be TO bring
the Nenezuelans 0 full realization ci
the folly Of their defiance by continuing
ihe blockade until every detail Of the
sci lement has been arranged.
This decision was clearly indicated
this week by Lord Lansdowne's recep-
tion Of committee Of Venezuelans who
visited the foreign Office. Il was this in
eident which gave rise TO the report that
Venezuela had appointed a special COM
mission TO represent her here. The dele
cation consisted OF four seif-apSointed
merchants and the Venezuelan consul at
London.
No Word From Caracas.
The latter. by the way. has had no
communication from his government
since the trouble began. He has cabled
frequently 10 Caracas, but none Of his
dispatches has been answered. The
consul with his associates called at the
foreign Office 70 ask what sum. deposited
In London. would be sufficient to bring
the Anglo-German operations against
Venezuela 20 an end.
Lord LansdoWue very properly de-
clined 10 make or receive any offer from
the committee He said Great Britain
was dealing only with the Venezuelan
government. and could not recognize
any unauthorized Representatives. This
reply would appear TO be sufficiently de-
cisive. but the committee. nevertheless,
has gone to Berlin try its luck with
the German authorities II is safe 10
say that their rebuff there will be even
more emphatic.
Information in regard TO the progress
Of the negotiations for arbitration con
tinues to be carefully concealed. and IL
Is probable that there Will be no public
i announcement until full settlement has
been reached There IS little doubt.
however. that this viii take tho form
OF partial arbitration with full guaran-
tees. These guarantees. it is hoped, vii.
be furnished by J and ". seligmsn &
Co. as was indicated In yesterdays dis
patches from Washington, London. and
Berlin.