The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-18

convenience to neutral5 as light as possible
No difference would be made between the
vessels Of one neutral Power and another
FLEETS NOT TO ACT AS ONE FORCE
Replying to a question by Sir Henry
Campbell-Ba nnerman, the Liberal leader
Mr. Balfour said there was nothing TO add
10 the statement he made on Monday In re-
gard to Venoz lela II the seizure Of the
Ven. ielan gunboats did not achieve the
result desired it would be necessary to pro-
coed with the blockade of Ncns zuelan ports.
The fleets Of Germany and England would
operate on different parts Of the coast.
They would not act H. one force.
Great Britain, MIR Raf,ur said, did not
intend and had never intended To land
troops in Venezuela. The operations had
been undertaken very reluctantly.
Even If tire uccupa,io were only Of
Temporary nature he did not think il would
be desirable either on military or any Other
grounds The whole matter had been most
carefully considered by the Government
The aim of Great Britain was not To
recover a debt, but after patient delay
to secure compensation for assaults on
British subjects and the seizure of British
vessel
Mr.. Balfour added There is nothing
respecting arbitration 10 add 10 what
said ON Monday
GERMAN GRIEVANCES.
Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman asked
whether the Germans had any grievance
against the Venezuelans except those
arising from their financial claims Mr.
Balfour replied Il believe they have
SAYS WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WAR.
LONDON, Dec. ls,-The newspapers here
have as vet failed to acquire any enthu-
siasm over the Venezuelan affair. Prime
Minister Balfour's declaration Of a state Of
war has elected no noteworthy comment
beyond again exciting the opposers OF the
Government
The an,i-imperialist Daily Ners ex-
claims dramatically: The United States
has forced this country TO declare war on
Venezuela 1t bases the assertion on
the statement that the United States is
pressing for arbitration, and the refusal
Of the Washington Government to recog-
nize a pacific blockade.
Concerning the appeal for arbitration
the Ners SAYS that if the United States
backs the appeal it will be fair to ask to
some extent within the bounds Of reason
to attempt to guarantee the good faith Of
Venezuela
RALLY AGAINST MONROE DOCTRINE.
The Ners, moreover, deduces from 'the
European rush to plumber little State dis
tracted by civil war" new and final proof
that the age Of chivalry is dead. 1t de-
clares that the situation bears an ominous
resemblance 10 a general rally OF Europe
against the Monroe Doctrine. for which
Emperor William has been working in every
European capital.
FAVOR ARBITRATION.
The Daily Mail. whose hatred Of Ger
many seems TO become more intense every
day, declares that the British Government
il being dragged deeper and deeper into
the mire at Germany's heels 1t contends
that there ia an abundance Of precedents
or a pacific blockade. including one estab-
lished by the United States itself. saying
that in 1851 the blockade Of the Confederate
coast did not involve anything which other
Powers could call war.
The paper concludes by declaring that In
view OF the dangers Of becoming involved
with the United States, and the fact that a
belligerent blockade cannot secure British
interests, it is more than ever important
TO have recourse to arbitration.
The Chronicle also is convinced that arbi-
tration is the best way out Of the crisis,
but says it must be arbitration with guaran-
tees. and that II the United States can OBJ
tain such guarantees it will confer benefit
on the world