Amador ledger., 1903-01-02
THE VENEZUELAN DIFFICULTY.

The Venezuelan trouble is Just
now in the forefront of discussion.
A state of war exists there, the war
vessels of both Germany and Great
Britain having established strict
blockade of its principal seaports.
The cause of this demonstration
against this southern republic is that
the subjects of both Germany and
Great Britain have suffered out
rageously for many years past at
the hands of Venezuelans. Large
loans secured in Europe for rail
road and other improvements have
been defaulted, both principal and
interest, amounting practically to
reputation. Not only this, but the
property of European subjects has
not been respected, but has been
seized and confscated. It is not
reasonable that nations, which have
always taken a pride in safeguard
ing the interests of their subjects
whether on domestic or foreign soil
should tamely submit to such things.
The United States is mainly inter
ested in this matter, because of its
possible bearing on the Monroe doc
trine. That doctrine is that no
monarchical government shall ac-
quire further territory in the West
ern Hemisphere. There is no de-
sire to curtail the territory the
European nations now have, but no
accession must be made thereto.
There can be little doubt that Ven
ezuela-the most explosive and rev.
olution loving country in the world
has presumed upon this doctrine.
The determination of the United
States to uphold it, has had the eff
feet of bunting the national con-
science of Venezuela, leading it to
play the role of robber and repudi-
ator. Certainly the doctrine was
never intended to encourage, much
less to sanction, such schemes of
national depravity. This govern
ment cannot object to coercive
measures to compel any nation of
South America to respect it's obliga-
tions, or to give fair treatment to
foreigners residing within its juris-
diction. The questions in issue have
been referred to the Hague tri-
bunal, and there is no doubt that
justice will be done, the British and
Germans get their just dues, and
Venezuela taught lesson she will
not be likely to forget, notwith-
standing she has developed an alb
normal appetite for internicine
strife and foreign imbroglios.
While on this subject we may state
that an erroneous impression seems
to prevail regarding Venezuela. 1t
is spoken of as one of the petty re-
publics of South America. This is
only true of the character of its peo-
pie and its national reputation. In
area it ranks fourth in size of the
South American nations. 1t con-
tains 600, 900 square miles, nearly
one fourth the size of the United
States exclusive of Alaska. 1t is
almost four times the size of Cali
fornia. The vast territory of Alaska
lacks many thousands of square
miles of equaling it in area. In
population, however, its growth is
sluggish, Notwithstanding it's rich
ness in resources, and its command
ing position for commercial activity.
Its inhabitants number about two
and half milllion-mostly a mix
ture of races. Her total liabilities to
foreign nations are estimated at forty
million dollars, which she is utterly
unable to pay in her present un-
poverished condition, with her in
dustries paralyzed by internal and
external troubles.