The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-12
On the Way to Settlement.


left Venezuela for Washington where he
will report to the department of state and
confer with the representatives of the
allies and Venezuela as to the making up
of the foreign claims case, for submission
to the arbitration tribunal at The Hague.
Minister Bowen has performed his du-
ties during the disturbed condition of af-
fairs at Caracas and La Guaira with most
commendable ability and tact. Both Eng
land and Germany are deeply indebted to
him for securing the liberty of their citi-
zens imprisoned in the Caracas Jail, and
giving them shelter and food at the Unit
ed States legation, while Holland and Italy
got him to represent them at the Venezue-
Ian capital, and Castro and his people have
called upon him to aid in. the settlement
of the questions at issue. g
Whether Castro will be the party, as
representative of Venezuela whose admin
istration will be held responsible for the
damages claimed Is not absolutely certain,
for 1t is evident that there is a strong pos
sibility that the Castro government may
collapse any day, and, even If The Hague
tribunal makes an award favorable to
the European claimants, if Venezuela
| does not put up some tangible and
| adequate security, the award will be left
hanging in the air. Nbzt
| What the powers who projected the
blockade want is indemnity for damages
! inflicted upon their subjects during former
revolutions and the disturbances under
the Castro dictatorship. The foreign deb
of Venezuela, some SIS, 600 to $4,000,
900, does not figure in the present de-
mands. The indemnity claims presented
amounted to 16,4S8, O34 bolivars, (bolivar i:
5,676, 2O2 bolivars, or, about $780,
| have been accepted, and these tn.
powers want. at once. AS the custom due!
of Venezuela aggregate y$13, 100000 annu
ally 1t is evident that a legitimate ant
orderly government at Caracas could easll.
arrange for the payment of the Lawful
claims Of the European powers.
Should Matos succeed in overthrowin.
Castro, he has pledged himself to pay law
| full claims for damage and introduce :
peaceful administration Of the government
advantageous to Venezuela. But tn
pledges Of South American swashbuckler
are not very trustworthy. Our govern
ment has performed it's duty to Venezuel
| heretofore, in preventing England fror
appropriating a slice Of Venezuelan terri
tory, which she could not prove was. her
by any former boundary delimitation O.
record. At present, the United State
still has large measure of responsibilit
as to Venezuela in checking the pugnacit
of the creditor powers and has, in recog
milton of such responsibility, secured refer
ence Of the whole claims matter to TIL
Hague. tribunal, where it properly be
longs ..:>st ~
! Our services to Venezuela ought to bege
gratitude in the Venezuelan soul and :ye
the distinguishing courtesies and gratefl
expressions of Castro and his people !
Minister Bowen when he left for Washing
ton, signify no permanent impression
German trade in Venezuela. which hs
been very large, has been tabooed by tn
: merchants, and yet it is most likely tina
I when the present storm blows over, tt
Germans will get back their trade and O,
trade will linger behind, unless American
bestir themselves to hold with firm gr
!. the advantages gained through the FOOLS
:, war play Of the powers in the Caribbea
| sea. .-... ~ - -a..