Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-11-28
BREAKS WITH VENEZUELA.

lnIOfI1hllOH was itNCiNNN Hl VIZ '-N"NN
Department yesterday that Spain has
withdrawn the exc IuatIlrs Of all Vene-
zuelan consuls in Spain. This action,
it is said at the State Department. prac-
tically amounts to a severance Of diplo-
matte relations with Venezuela
The reason for the drastic step is
known to be the result of Venezuela at
titude toward the settlement OF the span,
ish claims which are being adjudicated
in accordance with the Bowen treaties at
Caracas. Some weeks ago the Spanish
Minister to Venezuela left for home be-
cause of the attacks made on him by the
inspired governmental press Of Venezuela
as a result of his award in the Mexican
claims of which he had been appointed
umpire by the King Of Spain. Since
then the exequatur Of the Spanish Con-
sui at La Guyara was Withdrawn by
President Castro, of Venezuela, because
the Consul demanded that he be heard
by the mixed commission appointed 10
adiudicate Spanish claims. His request
was refused by the Venezuelan member
of the commission, whose action was up
held by President Castro, who in turn
later ordered the withdrawal of his ex-
equatur.
The seriousness of the Venezuelan
situation is fully appreciated by the
State Department. For some time there
has been reason to believe that President
Castro was not fulfilling his part OF the
contract made by United States Minis
ter Herbert w. Bowen with the foreign
powers, that pending the settlement OF
the referental-treatment questions by
The Hague court so per cent. OF tn
monthly customs dues. of La Guyara and
Puerto Cabello would be set aside to
paw the foreign claims. 1t has been
unofficially reported that President
Castro was making false statements re-
garding the customs collected at these
ports. and considerable dissat siaction
has been expressed by the foreign
governments having claims against
Venezuela.
In view of the uncertainty regarding
the fulfllment of NeneZuela's obll-
cations and the unrest among the Euro
pean claimants, the United States for
some time has been quietly preparing Tor
serious difficulty in Venezuela. There
is reason to believe, from confidential
reports received by the State Depart
mem, that President Castro ultimately
will repudiate the treaty obligations oil
Venezuela in the foreign claims. If such
should prove to be the outcome Of the
affair there is not the slightest doubt
that Great Britain, Germany, Italy and
possibly other claimants would resort
to force of arms to make Venezuela pay,
and it is realized that those countries IN
such an event have a perfect right TO
take this action.
But the United States does not intend
that Venezuela shall fail to pay her for
eign creditors. Rather than see any
European power again resort to hoshlilles
against Venezuela the United States
might send warships and troops to that
country, take possession OF the customs
houses and see that fair claims were duly
paid. 1t Is admitted that the War De
partment has thoroughly informed It
self in regard to the military status ol
Venezuela, and is prepared to do its part
in placing the United States in tempo
rary control of revenues. The Monroe
doctrine precludes this country from al
lowing any foreign nation to puni't
Venezuela, so it is tacitly admitted thai
the duty of forcing her to pay her deb 4
falls upon the United States Indeed
il NAV be said that such a policy hai
been fully determined on by the Ad
ministratiOn.