The Colfax chronicle., 1903-02-21
coLFAx GRANT PARISH. LA, SATURDAY FEBRUARY 2 1903
The Victories Of Peace.

The Victories Of Peace.
Truly it is a fact that peace hath |
ner victories, no less than panoplied
and grim-visaged war. This refec-
lion is inspired and especially empha-
sized Of late by the diplomacy negoti-
atoms and protocols entered into by
the various nations in the settlement
Of the Venezuelan embroglio. The
trouble was brought about
q few weeks ago by three big nations
Of Europe England, Germany and
Italy, attempting to enforce the col
lection of money debts at the mouths
of cannon, and one or two Of them
did actually go SO far as to lombard
a virtually deienseless city. filed with
unarmed men, women and children.
All this because .he spunky president
of the plucky republic refused to be
coerced into what he regarded as an
unjust and unwarranted demand.
Hon. Herbert w. Bowen, the United
States Minister and representative
stationed Mt Caracas, became indig-
nant at the outrage, and, jumping
into a steam launch, he pulled out to
the big war vessels, where the various
representatives Of the governments
had taken refuge after breaking of
negotiations, and, entering a vigor-
ous protest against the high handed
processing, demanded in the name of
these United States, and in the name
of justice and civilization, that the
bombardment cease, and that the
matter be submitted to arbitration.
After some parleying and sending
cable messages back to the homegov-
ernments, the guns were unsolicited,
and the whole.thing referred to big
pow-wow in Washington.
Owingto the prominent part taken
in the affair by Mr.. Bowen as peace
maker, Venezuela and some of the
other powers atronce expressed a de
sire that he represent them in the ar.
bitration of the disputed claims.
Some pressure was brought to bear
by the governments of Europe to get
President Roosevelt to act as arbi
traitor in the matter, but for once he
had the good judgment to take a
back seat and let affairs take Their
course. It was altogether proper fol
him to keep out of the controversy
because upon him would have devolv.
ed the duty of calling the powers to Q
halt had they declined to settle thu
afsair amicably, and proposed te
force settlement that would in any
way have conflicted with the Monro,
doctrine OF non-acquirement of Amer
lean soil.
So, after some delay, Mr.. Bower
was decided upon by all parties al
their arbitrator. 1t was u most for
tunate and happy selection, as thi
common sense, plain American citi
zen in every way proved himself to b
the peer of all the lords, counts ant
barons against whom be was pitted.
| 1t has been most interesting and in
structive to watch the diplomacy ne
Igotiations as they proceeded. Mr.
Bowen's first sledge hammer blov
was at the English representative
who wanted preferment Of the claim
of British subjects, to whom he quiet
~ said he did not recognize the bonn
bardment Of deienseless people as il
any way emitting that nation topre
ferment. This put his lordship in I
great hun, and be backed Oh ant
pouted a while; but his sensible kim
sent him instructions to stand to tn
rack, and so he stuck it out.
His next patriotic and fair propos
al to the German representative com
pleteIy won over that Dutch noble
man. To him he said: "Now, con
= A n - L.