The Washington times., 1902-12-15
BRITISH CLAIMS NOT
KNOWN IN WASHINGTON
Plans Of Germany Submitted
Some Time Ago.
VENEZUELA'S HEAVY DEBT
Berlin Company Seeks Pay for In
provemeHts Made in South
American Republic.

The state Department has never been
officially informed OF the claims of
Great Britain against Venezuela. but At
tne time Germany submitted 20 secre-
tary Hay its plan OF action against
President CasIo's government s.ste-
ment was made Of the German claims.
Against Venezuela there is claim
pending OF the Berlin Company OF Dis
count on account OF the non performance
OF engagements which the Venezuelan
government undertook in connection
with the Venezuelan Railway. built by
that government. These OBLIGATIONS
Germany says. now amount to fully
5000, Oo3 boliyars
IL is maintained that the obligations
continue 70 increase. as interest for the
values of the 9 Per cert Venezuelan loan
OF the year 1886, which was emitted TO
amount Of 80 900 600 boIivars. ana which
has been transmitted to the Berlin .fom-
pany as guarantee for the payment of
interest OF the capital spent I'm building
has not, it is said by Germany. been
paid regularly since eight years. nor
has the payment been made regularly
TO the sinking fund.
Germany has other claims against
Venezuela which date from the Venczu-
elan civil wars OF the years 1895 until
1900. Through these vars. Germany
says, many German merchants and
many German landowners have been Sc
riously damaged. as partly compulsory
loans were said TO have been extortcd
from them. cattle were seized by were
zuela and never paid for. and the crocods
and residences Of the Germans ransask-
ed and devastated. The amount claimed
by Germany for these damages. comes TO
fully 1000. 900 bolivars. This amount is
TO be divided by Germany between thir-
ty-fve claimants. who are poor people.
Claims Against Venezuela.
In an official communication 20 the
State Department on the subject OF the
claims against Venezuela the German
government says.
Evidently the Venezuelan government
is not willing 20 fulfill it's engagements
in compromising for these damages AZ
ter having first fixed a six-monthIy
term in which the government refused
10 discuss any claims for compensation.
the government issued in january. 1901
q decree setting forth tha, a commission
solely OF Venezuelan officials
should decide about the claims. which
the damaged would have to bring 10
their knowledge in three months. The
as settled by this decree.
seem In three articles not 20 be accept
able.
First of all. that all the claims for
damage which come from the tine be-
fore the Z3d OF May. 1899 tthat rleans
before the appointment OF President Cas-
trOl. should not be considered. while OF
course the government OF Castro is. as
al other governments. responsible for
the deeds Of its predecessors.
Another article said that all diplomatic
against decisions OF the
commission should be excluded and only
the appeal TO the supreme Venezuelan
court OF justice be admitted.
Finally. the government wanted to pay
for the claims which should be recogniz-
I'd by the commission Cnly with bonds of
a newly TO be emitted resolution debt.
which would be, after the experiences
made, mp till present, without any
value"