The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-04-13
CASTRO DEFIANCE
PUZZLES YANKEES
South Americans Gleeful Over
Perplexity Of United States
Authorities.
ROOSEVELT STRIVES
TO FIND WAY OUT
One Means Is a Show of Force and
g. Blockade, but Hindrances
y Are in the Way. s.
New York Sun Special Service.

y Are in the Way. -
New York Sun Special Service ..
Chicago, April 13.-Walter Wellman,
in Washington special to the Record
Herald, says:
South American diplomats at this
capital are in great glee over what they
term the clever manner in which Pres
ident Castro of Venezuela has called
the bluff of the United States. ~,
smart You understand the great
American game of poker, and you think
no one else knows how to play it. You
made the what you call it-ah, YES,
the bluff, at Castro, and Castro, a very
smart man, he call it. It is very anus
ing" "
1t was a South American diplomat
who said this to an American. The
South American smiled with insolence,
but apparently he was charmingly po-
lite.
The American wanted to slap his
face, but considered it wise not to.
s'There will be a showdown with your
dear, smart friend, Mr.. Castro, before
Chuckling With Joy.
The Venezuelans and their South
American friends in Washington, who
are not overload of the Americans,
are chuckling with joy. What this
South American diplomatist said, is ex-
actly the way they feel.
The Yankees, they say. put up a
great big bluff. They told Minister
Bowen to present what was virtually an
, ultimatum to Castro, believing that
Castro would lose his nerve, and throw
down the cards and run in a panic.
But Castro did nothing of the kind
Instead of losing his nerve he became
more nervy than ever. His cards might
have been only pair Of deuces, but
they looked very large to him. He
called, and up to the present time he
has taken all the tricks.
Administration Annoyed.
The administration knows what the
Venezuelans and other South Ameri
cans are saying, and is intensely an
moved, and what adds to the annoyance
is the knowledge that the sheer of the
South Americans covers half truth
and proverbially half truths hurt more
than downright lies -.
The administration did not bluff Cas-
tro in the sense that it bullied him o.
engaged in policy of wanton aggres
sion, but it is true that it was never
believed in Washington that Castro
would play out the game to finish
tt was thought that when he saw thu
United States really meant business
and did not intend forever TO be In
suited and Haunted by this nudge
among the nations, satisfactory set
Element would soon be reached H. d
Castro's Sense Of Humor.
But Castro is gentleman with a fin
sense of humor and without the leas
sense Of responsibility. It rather amuse
him to stir up the. United. States. H
has tremendous amount Of vanity an
intolerable conceit. He really believe
that if it came to a show Of forces h
could hold his own.
The administration is puzzled t
know what to do next. While tn
president is smashing after wolves /
the wilds of Oklahoma he is doubles
trying to find 4 way out of the Castr
embarrassment. The officials in Wasl
ington are also doing ,cconslderab}l
heavy thinking. To save his own sci:
respect and recover prestige in the eye
of South America, the administrator
must make good. But how? That
the question. ..
Z cSAAS OAOShUN0'
It has been suggested that a stpacif
blockade might bring Castro to h
senses. A ''pacifc blockade wou]
be enforced by the president sendin
warships to Venezuelan ports an
neither imports nor exports. Venezue
is dependent upon its customs dutl'
to run the government, and the me
: chants of Venezuela upon the export
their natural products principally co
fee, hides and cocoa bean. With no e.
ports there would be no bills of e
change to be drawn on London al
other commercial centers, and tra'
would come to a standstill. Venezue
raises practically no wheat and very Ii
tie corn. 1t has to import it's wheat, tt
bulk Of 1t from the United States.
the ports Were closed up it would NAL
things uncomfortable for Castro.
But "pacifc blockade" altho n
actually an act of war, comes SO clio
to it that it is doubtful whether t
president would consider he was We
ranted in resorting to that drastic ste
!, Castro Knows American Law.
+ Castro is we'll informed upon t
American. constitution and knows t
limitations placed upon the war maxi
power Of the president as we'll as dt
the president himself. He knows tt
the president cannot actually make "
without the consent of congress.
has been advised, there is reason to
1ieve, that congress would not sancti
war. That is one reason why he tire;
the United States with such insolel
and practically tells the United Sta
that it may 60 to a perpetual sunni
resort. f.. -. ...,-: .@-
The administration officials adj
that a demonstration merely will hs
no effect. The time for that has e
by Castro is not to be frightened, a
only forcible measures will produce
suits. " .5s,s
If the president had his own way
Is we'll known, he would not hesit
about employing those methods.
would send man like General Bell
General Funston to Venezuela with
600 men, supported by the Carbide
squadron, and make Castro come off
high horse.
II Lesson for Castro.
The president would regard the Sc
ing of an expedition to Venezuela
/ an excellent thing in more ways ii
( one. In the first place, it would 81
4 Castro and other rulers like him t
! the United States is not to be insul
with impunity, which would have
salutary effect. In the second place
j would be good military practice. Z
4 would keep the army and navy fl
i becoming rusty and be worth in act
4 experience all the money it cost.
- 41,n INIT