The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-24
GREAT BRITAIN ASSAILED
ACCUSED OF BEING RAPACIOUS AND
UNNECESSARILY AGGRESSIVE.
Statement by the Venezuelan Minister
of Interior Regarding the Repub-
lies Foreign Relations.

CARACAS, Nov. 23.-Discussing Venezu-
elias foreign relations, DR.. Lopez Baral,
minister of the interior, said Towards
the United States Venezuela entertains the
kindliest feelings of friendship. and she
remembers with gratitude the attitude of
the great republic in the past. Venezuela
is determined, as far as she is concerned,
that nothing shall occur to disturb in the
slightest degree the existing understand
ing with the American legation and the
friendly relations between the two coun-
tries. Venezuela has nothing to complain
of regarding the way in which the various
unimportant questions have been treated,
and, except for some pending questions,
her foreign relations have been of cordial
character. The English government at
Trinidad published a few days ago an Of
fetal decree declaring the blockade of the
Orinoco null and void. If there is any
place where the blockade is effective it is
the Orinoco, for besides the land defenses,
We have maintained several gunboats
which have efficiently performed there all
the duties pertaining to blockade.
1.-The English, too. are inconsistent, for
while one journal at Trinidad published
the decree declaring the blockade to be in
effective, the Mirror. another publication,
insists that Venezuela is loyalty fulfilling
her international duty in this respect The
British sloop of war Phantom entered the
Orinoco without permission. and President
Castro has directed a protest against this
infringement on Venezuelan sovereignty.
1t has been recognized that the principal
foreign ships shall ask permission to enter
the mouth of the river, and we cannot
ard af A
similar protest has been sent regarding
the action of the German warship Panther
which also entered the Orinoco without
permission.
Another act which has provoked as
tonishment was the hosting Of the British
flags on the Island of Patos. Venezuela's
Geographically, historically and politically
IL Is Venezuelan territory. With the Island
of Trinidad it is recognized as forming
of Amiens. Trinidad was coded TO Great
Britain. but Patos island remained and
was recognized as an integral part of Ven
ezuela. The English claim to Patos island
was based on the act of the former Spanish
Governor, which not recognized by
Spain. If further evidences of Venezuela's
rights were needed the fact that the island
Venezuelan mainland, while il is ten miles
from Trinidad, is sufficient. The impregna-
bility of Venezuela's position Is shown by
the facility with which We have replied
to every argument in support of the Brit
ish contention advanced by the Ministry
of that country. Patos island is Venebue-
Ian and must remain so'
Regarding the relations between Venezu-
ella and Germany the minister said: Ger
many has never given Venezuela any in
timation of its purpose to enforce the coll
lection of it's pending claims. President
Castro has intention of evading a just
obligation contracted by the government,
but, on the contrary. will meet 1t loyalty.
At the same time he cannot be expected
to permit any action infringing the rights
and dignity of the government"