The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-04-03
.. $ - -. x 90 -
The Venezuelan Case.

About the same time trouble arose in
connection with the Republic of Venezuela
because of certain wrongs alleged to have
been committed, and debts overdue, by
this republic to citizens Of various for
eign powers, notably England, Germany
and Italy. After failure to reach an
agreement these powers began a blockade
of the Venezuelan coast and a condition
of, quasi-war ensued. The concern of
our government was, Of course, not TO
interfere needlessly in any quarrel. SO
far as it did not touch our interests orour
honor. and not to take the attitude : Of
protecting from coercion any power unless
we were willing to espouse. the quarrel Of
that power, but to keep an attitude OF
watchful vigilance and see that there was
no infractior. Of the Monroe doctrine-no
requirement of territorial rights by a
European power at the expense Of a weak
sister republic-whether this acquisition
might take the shape of@an outright and
avow4d seizure of territory or Of the ex-
ercise of control which would in effect be
equivalent to such seizure.
Interesting Correspondence.
This attitude was expressed in the two
following published memoranda, the first
being the letter addressed by the secre-
tary Of state to the German ambassador,
the second the conversation with the Sec
rotary of state reported by the British
ambassador: !.
Department of State, Washington Dec. 1e,
His, .Excellency. DR.. Won Holleben Etc.-Dear
Excelency:$r I inclose memorandum by way
Of reply to that which you did me the honor to
leave with Saturday, and am, as ever,
faithfully yours. &a.r l. john Hay.
Memorandum- president in his message of
Sd of December, 1901, used the following Ian
guage: II
The Monroe doctrine is a declaration that
there must be no territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT by
any non-American power at the expense of any
American power on American soil. " It is in no
wise intended hostile to any nation in the old
world
The president further said:
''This doctrine has nothing to do with the
commercial relations of any American power
save that it in truth allows each of them tc
guarantee any state against punishment if II
nsconducts itself, provided that punishment does
not take the form of acquisition of territory
by any non-American power"
His eXcellency, the German. ambassador OF
his recent return from Berlin, conveyed person
ally to the president the assurance of the Ger
| man emperor that his majesty's government hat
no purpose or intention to make even the small
est acquisition of territory the South Ameri
| can territory or the islands adjacent. Thi
voluntary and friendly declaration was after
| wards repeated to the secretary of state, and wa
received by the president and the people of tn
United States in the frank and cordial spirit il
the II tn of December his excellency5 the German
| ambassador, repeats these assurances. as fol
| lows: ~ So =s=5 X
| I'VE declare especially that under no cir
cumstances do we,consider in our proceedings tn
acquisition or the permanent occupation 0
| Venezuelan territory 8
In the said memorandum of the 18th Of Decem
| ber the German government informs that of tn
United States that it has certain just claims 70
| money and for damages wrongfully. withheld
| from German subjects by the government o
Venezuela. and that it proposes to take certai
| coercive measures described in the memorandum
| to enforce the payment of these just claims.
The president of the United States, appreciat
ling the courtesy of the German government i
making him acquainted with the state of affair
| referred to, and not regarding himself as calle
upon to enter into the consideration of :the claim
| in question, believes that no measures Will b
taken in this matter by the. agents Of the Gel
man government which are not ins accord with tn
| we'll known purpose. above set forth, of his ma.
esty the German emperor.
/ Sir Michael Herbert tosthe Marquis Of Lans
i downe.- ashington. Nov. 49, 19O2.--5sIsrr con
4 | municated to Mr. Hay this morning the sui
/ stance of your lordship's telegram, OF the lit
/ Inst. s4sssss;s
His excellency stated in reply that the Unite
i States government. although they regretted tha
European powers should use force against Centr,
4 and South American countries could not objes
to their taking steps to obtain redress for II