The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-15
BREACH OF Faith BY ALLIES?
~ ESTION RAISED IN WASHING
Ton OVER THE no VBARDMENT
statements Made 10 This Government
Gave the Idea That Only Q "Peaceab,e
Blockade" Was Intended Fear That
Either Nation VIII seize Territory.

WAsHIHoToN, Dec. IL Conformation of
the news printed exclusively in THE Sun
! his morning that German and English
warrhps had bombarded Puerto Cabello
was received al the State Department to-
day from Herbert " Bowen. United States
Minister az Caracas Mr.. Bowen said
| that his authority for this information
was President Castro, whose statement
indicated that the bVnbardment was still
in progress.
| Another and earlier telegram came from
| MIR Bowen at 32O o clock this morning
| In II he said that the political situation
was much quieter. He explained that the
great excitement in Caracas. Of which he
lad previously informed the ID apartment.
had been caused by the flight" OF the
British and German diplomatic represen-
\ tative. the arrest OF all British and German
subjects in Venezuela by President Cas-
| tro's order and the capture of Venezuelan
war vessels by the European allies without
q declaration Of war or blockade Mr.
Bowen concluded this message with the
| significant statement that everybody fears
bombardment. inquest ionably ~ La
| GuGyra. the port Of Caracas.
| 1t IL now openly acknowledged by officials
| ~ the Government that the Venezuelan
| situation has assumed proporti ons beyond
what the United States had expected or
been led TO expect by England and Germany
II l. even admitted that the situation is
| extremely serious from the viewpoint Of
| This Government concern in the affair.
| What WAS considered TO he a mere trivial
incident in the affairs Of the world is now
regarded with feelings Of apprehension in
Washington.
/ i.n-
bombarded by the allies has not had a
| pleasing effect in Government circles here.
Such n radical step was not expected in
| view OF the assurances given TO President
Roosevelt and Secretary Hay by Germany
and England OF their intention 10 pursue
n course that did not contemplate the
shedding OF blood or the destruction OF
property. This bombardment, taken in
connection with the Sci zure and dest ruction
Of Venezuelan vessels. tends TO confirm
the belief that has been prevalent in Wash
ington for several days that Great Britain
and Germany contemplated from the outset
the waging Of war against the South Ameri-
can republic
The Administration cert ainly construed
the communications Of the London and
Berlin governments. made in advance Of
|
as assurance Of the intention Of those gov
ernments to 60 no further in their efforts
TO bring Venezuela 10 terms than the i'm
stitution Of a -peaceable" blockade. or
blockade without war and, this failing 10
make Castro comply with the Anglo German
| demands, to seize the custom house. az
La Guayra and Puerto Cabello for the pur-
pose OF collecting tariY duties sufficient
| n a Ip Ont ions nf ala
to English and German subjects
BREACH OF FAIrH'
| IL is now for the Administration to de-
termine whether there has been a breach
Of faith by England and Germany toward
the United States. and IL an affirmative
decision il reached. what course Of action
is necessary in the circumstances
From what is said by officials. however.
il IL gathered that the Administ ration do
sres TO continue its policy Of hands Of d"
a. long as there il nothing done by the allies
or either Of them TO lead to the suspicion
that the Monroe Doctrine Is in danger OF
violation. Broadly stated, the Admins
tration's policy is to hold itself aloof from
the Quarrels Of any Latin American country
with foreign nation or nations where
there is no apparent prospect Of the acquisi
ton or permanent occupation OF territory
on the Western Hemisphere by the troops
| OF a non-American Power.
The Administration holds that as Ven
| ezuela Is a. vrreign State not under the
protection OF tho United States, except
| so far rs the preserva, ion Of its territorial
integrity Is involved, II cannot expect
assistance from this Governm' in it's
embroglios with European countries There
has been no change in the policy enun-
ciated by President Roo" welt in his an
nual message Of Dec. 3, 1901. in which he
said: I'VE do not guarantee any State
against punishment II IL misconducts itself
provided that punishment does not take
the form Of acquisition Of territory by any
non American Power" But he seeming
disregard by England and Germany ~
assurances voluntarily offered by them
tn the United States presents a new con-
dition 10 which the President and his adj
visers will certainly give attention
NO INTENTION or sEIzIN0 TERRITORY
In order that there may be no mis,in-
Outstanding OF the feeling ia Administ ra-
ton circles, it should be made clear that
the Presden, and his Cabine, arc con-
WINGED that neither Germany nor England
has any intention Of seizine Venezuelan
territory for permanent occupation The
assurances on that point conveyed to the
President were absolutely frank and the
good faith OF the two Governments IL
not doubted The Government, therefore
feels no concern in the present situation
beyond that possibly involved in deter
mining whether the sinking Of Venezuelan
warships and the bombardment Of Puerto
Cabello constituted breaches Of faith and
the fear that the differences between vene-
zuela and her European enemies will not
be adjusted within a reasonable time.
! II is learned that the assurances given
by Great Britain to this Government in re-
gard TO the purpose Of that Power in adopt
ing coercive measures tow ard Venezuela
were delivered verbally by the British
Ambassador in Washington TO the Score
tary Of State and were similar in all re-
spects TO the assurances conveyed in mem
oranda by the German Ambassador.
GRRMANY's ASSURANCES.
The text of the German assurances was
printed THE SuN on Friday, The repe-
| e tl,..,, I'll N