The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-02-03
WHAT DOES GERMANY MEANc

The attitude which Germany is adopt
ing in the Venezuelan matter does not
tend to restore any feeling of confidence
In Germany's real desire for peaceful
and final settlement of the whole mat
ter, SAYS the Post-Intelligencer, The
Venezuela proposition not only goes so
far as to leave every question in els
pute between the two countries and the
countries of Europe to the arbitration
OF The Hague tribunal, but quite I'M
expectedly, Venezuela is prepared with
full guarantees that it viii meet all oo-
legations which that tribunal may I'M
pose upon it.
The one and only point upon which
Venezuela insists is that all of the coun-
tries in Europe which have claims
against 1t shall share alike, and that
there shall be no preferences given the
claims of the countries which have at
tackled Venezuela and sought col
lection by force, over the claims Of
countries which have not resorted to
such drastic measures for the collection
OF private claims of their subjects. This
is a provision which the allies strenu-
ously resist and insist that their claims
must have immediate precedence over
the claims of every other country. In
speaking of the allies, Germany is al
ways understood. for in the entire Ven
ezuelan matter GDeat Britain has been
merely the tail to the German kite. and
Italy occupies an even less important
position. Germany, at all events, is
the stumbling block in the way or the
present negotiations,
Furthermore, it now appears that the
allies, otherwise Germany, are not
even yet prepared to assent TO Ine de-
termination of the whole matter by the
reason that before that tribunal vene-
ztlela wiuld have right to set up
counter claims to offset those presented
BY the allies. If the great countries OF
Europe are engaged in legitimate at
tempt to collect debts honestly due and
are not merely trying to hold up and
rob weak and defenseless country, |
why should there be the slightest OBJ
lection to the consideration of venezu-
elias counter claims, IL any she has, |
which might properly be allowed by
The Hague tribunal?
Moreover the contention that the |
claims Of the allies should take prece- !
dence of the claims OF other countries, |
equally substantial, hut which have not |
been pressed with warships and tom-
bardrents of 'ishiag villages. Is un-
fair, not merely TO Venezuela, but the |
countries which have exhibited some
moderation and decency in treating
with small weak and defans less |
power.
The situation is irritating to the peo-
pie Of the United States because the
idea is steadily taking root that Ger
many's remarkable activity in attack
ing Venezuela, and her slowaess in ac- |
cepting the peaceful solution of the
matter has more behind 1t than merely |
the collection of commercial debts. Ger |
many throughout has apparently done
everything possible. not to Secure the |
collection of the relative petty claims
of her subjects. but to aoad the Tene-
zuelans into actual war. Some motive
more potent than the mere desire to
collect debt is behind this.
There seems to be an uneasy feeling
in Great Britain that the action of Ger
many is calculated to excite some re-
sentiment in the United States which
may operate to impair the present good
feeling in this country toward Great
Britain. There is solid foundation for
this uneasiness. 1t was the earnest
hope and expectation in this country
that when negotiations for settle-
ment OF the whole affair by arbitration
were commenced the last had been scen
Of armed activity against Venezuela.
This expectation has ben disappointed.
and much has occurred recently TO war
rant a pronounced dlstrust Of Ger
many's motives. which IS finding CEN
eral expression throughout this coun-
try.
German scientists declare that hyp-