Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-20
MERELY PERFORMED A DUTY
Won Buelow Explains Action Of Germany il
Venezuelan Affair.
EMPIRE NOT AFTER MORE TERRITORY
Newspapers, Especially one American
Journal, was Responsible for
Most Of the sensational
Stories.

BERLIN, March 1s.-1n the Reichstag to-
day during the discussion Of the Foreign
Office section Of the budget. Baron Won
Hertling, center party, referred to the Ven
ezuelan affair. He said public opinion at
first demanded action, since Germany's
honor seemed engaged, but after action had
been taken, apparently with success, public
opinion changed and doubts arose as to
whether it was necessary for Germany to
risk so much.
Chancellor Won Buelow replied:
The Venezuelan matter from the first was
neither a question of territorial acquisition
nor of glory tor US, but to a settlement
through extraordinary means of business
which had been complicated by. the debtors
untrustworthiness, whereby, OF course, the
maintenance OF our honor played u part.
We were able to establish our claim only
through common action with England and
ranging the matter In hand, but of giving
a warning which would serve for the tu-
ture. The mere money standpoint must not
control In such cases.
Breaches of the Law.
We dare not submit to breaches of the
law. otherwise we would not need ships
or cannons. The Venezuelan case was eX-
ceptional. We shall not always dispose Of
such matters through force, but our action
Will depend upon special circumstances
Proof that force was necessary here Is
seen from the fact that the English gov
eminent also resorted to forcible measures,
whereas 1t is a well known principle OF
England's commercial policy that every
BODY investing private capital abroad does
so upon his own risk.
We found ourselves in a dilemma, but
nobody can reproach us with acting with
out sobriety and calmness. We mad to
take care chat our relations, with other
powers should not be disturbed through
this relatively subordinate matter.
There was no lack OF attempt to create
sucn a disturbance. l here refer, OF course,
TO no government, but the press, when at
tempted to engender i'll will between the
governments at London, Berlin and Rome
other.
The most ungrounded and silliest rumors
were circulated, as If we designed to land
troops, make conquests or violate the in
tegrity OF the South American republics.
Scores American Newspaper.
In such lying legends one American
newspaper was especially great. IL an
vented az official OF IT'S own "a the toreisn
wanted to swallow Venezuela first, then
Colombia and finally Brazil.
This statement of the chancellor called
forth loud laughter. He continued:
These perhdlous attempts to SOW dlscord
cabinets ana the confluence in tne honesty
OF our policy. These -antsstiL an Inal-
their intended Veffect. Our relations with
England and the United States renamed
intact and our demands against Nenezu la
to the protocol settling the controversy.
First InstalIment Paid
Won Buelow then summarized the terms
Of the protocol, mentioning that Venezuela
had already paid the first installment OF
the German indemnity and said:
The claims of the second class have not
yet been subjected to investigation. The
Venezuelan government is ready 10 coop
investigating and fixing the amounts Of
these claims: The third class claims Will
also be settled.
stated, but it is small. We have decided
not to make a demand that Venezuela pay
an indemnity to cover the, costs OF the
blockade owing to the rather hopeless hnan-
cial condition of that country? -
We attained what we wanted and what
; under the circumstances was attainable
The action against Venezuela was inaugu-
rated without a fanfare of trumpets and
to the end without weakness and within
eNpedient bounds,
The chancellor then turned to the Drei.
bund, saying;
1t Will be renewed unchanged at thu
proper time. which proves It is not ar
accidental or temporary constellation. It'
object is the maintenance of the status
quo and peace. The Dribund is the mos
peaceful, the strongest and the most last
ing and the most elastic alliance. l tool
care that the tariff and other political ques
tions should not be mixed up with the re
newal of the Dribund.
5 Prof. Hasse of Leipsig university. Pan
3 German and national liberal, said:
) I am not satisfied with this settlement o
the Venezuela AFFAIR. A formal e~xpiatioI
' has not occurred. The moral effect of GU
cooperation with other powers and inviting
!, the INTERPRETATION of America will be L
1 increase Americas reputation, while our
sinks. l attribute. to American intervention
. the hostile attitude of the Venezuelans.
. Herr oertel, agrarian. said:
We came out of the Venezuelan afai
fairly well. / cannot pass a more favorabl
L opinion. l rejoice over the cooperation
= with England, for the latter showed al
. energetic activity from which our states
men could learn a lesson.
To Inv~e.ttnate Chinese I.hor