The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-05
OniciaI Expression of Doubt that the
Custom House at Puerto CabeIIo
Has Been Seized by Germans.
RUN ON THE VENEZUELAN BANK
FINANCIAL PANIC At CARACAS COM
PLICATEs THE SITUATION.
Castro VIII Not Abdicate-Mai1s
Opened by BIockaders-Other Phases
of Present Conditions.

BERLIN, Jan. 4.-The government is
without information regarding the landing
of German marines at Puerto Cabello, Ven
exuela. The foreign Office says that If such
landing occurred 1t must certainly have
been transient, and regards the reported
seizure of the custom house at Puerto
Cabello by German marines as a canard.
Several newspapers to-day, in their yearly
political review, devote much attention to
Venezuela and the Monroe doctrine The
Vossische Zeitung independent LiberaD.
regards Germanys proceedings against
Venezuela as entirely within the limits of
international law. whoever has claim
against another" says this journal, tries
to collect 1t whether they be private indi-
viduals or nations. II anybody disputes
our right to compel payment of the Vene-
zuelan claims we must ask that person IL
he be willing to pay the debt himself. or
give guarantees therefor. IL SO, the matter
speedily could be settled; but If this other
person is unwilling to give such guaran-
tees, his objections do not concern u.s. The
United States could settle the trouble be-
tween Germany and Venezuela in a moment
If Ii would stand good for the payment of
our claims; but the United States is
willing to take this step and we cannot de-
mand that 1t 60 so. In this case the United
States should not hinder Germany from
pursuing the course that Is deemed expe-
dent
The vossische Zeitung alludes to what it
c{tils the wild noise I'm a portion OF the
American press which declares that Ger
many has no right under the Monroe doc
trine 10 take forcible action in Venezuela,
the Monroe doctrine 1.-The latter assertion
Is correct" says the journal mo other
European state ever recognized this doc
trine and we believe European county
will ever do so. The Monroe doctrine is not
adapted to become a subject OF diplomatic
negotiation. and the documents hardly ex-
LIST In which this doctrine is laid before
any European power with the request that
this power make a declaration thereon"
After reciting the history and the origin
right of intervention claimed by the Holy
Alliance has long since ben abandoned.
The countries of South America have been
In chronic state of revolution. yet nobody
IN Europe dreams Of intervention. The
disastrous issue of Napoleon's attempt In
Mexico renders IL probable that Euro
pean state will ever repeat the effort to
establish itself in the western hemisphere.
Later interpretations of the Monroe doc
trine,' continues the Vossische Zeitung,
do not involve the defined hegemony of
the United States over Central and South
America The United States claims
suzerainty over these countries with the
right of Intervention. but denies to Euro
their political affairs. How far such
suzerainty extends and what rights and OBJ
legations result from IL have never been
cleared up Neither have the Central and
South American states recognized this
suzerainty, but they have decidedly rejected
1t. owing TO its repulsion OF the Romanic
and German races. No European state
has made any concession in this respect.
and, finally. the United States itself has
given no clear statement of aims.
The Monroe doctrine does not belong to
International law, to conjectural politics.
IL binds nobody and endows nobody with
rights Germany has obligation to rec
ognize and no occasion TO dispute the Mon
roe doctrine The South American states
stand toward Germany as sovereign ma
tions; they have all the rights and all the
obligations Of sovereign states. and having
such obligations they must pay their debts
Germany will establish its claims consid-
erately in form and energetically i'm action.'
The Taggliche Rundschau complains that
IT Is hard to realize the Yankee does not
appreciate courtesies like the visit of Prince
Henry and the gift of the statue of Fred
erfck the Great, but blows a few notes in
to the rusty and hoarse Monroe trumpet
and Germany must let that impudent trick
ster, President Castro. alone while he
laughs In Its face"