The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-08-10
VENEZUELA AND CHINA.

VENEZUELA AND CHINA.
Two questions OF importance affect
ing the relations OF the United States
with other powers have come up to-
gether at this time. In both cases this
government becomes interested owing
to the claim of American citizens that
they desire Uncle Sans help to main
tata certain grants made to them by
Venezuela in one case and by China in
the other
China. having granted to the Amer
ica-China Improvement company rail
road rights of way and other desirable
privileges in Chinese territory. is now
try ng to induce the company to II
linquish the concession but so far,
the pressure brought upon the com
pany has not reached a disagreeable
stage. and about s7,OOO,0OO is offered
TO induce the company to retire
While it is true that the company Is
American in name and in incorpora-
ton, and while noted American fnan-
ciers have taken the lead In its man.
agement and development. there is a
considerable amount of the company's
stock held by the King Of the Belgians
China presented opportun ties for the
use Of large capital in improved trans
portation and in banking facilities
which appealed strongly 10 several
Belgian capital SITS; but owing to Bel
GUMS limited power to support the de
mands and rights of Belgian citizens
by force, the king induced American
financiers to organize a company. into
which he and others put large sums.
The interests OF the America-China
Improvement company may not be,
therefore. identical with the interests
Of the United States in larger fields
of development in China, and the
President viii, doubtless, scan the list
of stockholders with some care before
he commits the United States to cham.
pioning the company's claims, though
he will. OF course. see that no prece
dent is established that will interfere
with other American ghts, now or
hereafter.
With Venezuela we have had long
standing disagreements and disputes.
The general attitude of that country
toward American citizens doing busi-
ness in Venezuelan territory has been
| the reverse of gracious. Whether
much of this semi-hostility toward
Americans has or has not been due TO
the tricSery and meddling OF the claim.
ants Of the asphalt ia'.es is one Of the
questions at issue
It has even been broadly hinted mat
American diplomatists have taken a
more active part in the asphalt com
panies' demands upon the Venezuelan
government than was consistent with
an ent rely disinterested desire merely
TO attend TO their Official duties. Wheth-
er OF not all or any of these insinua-
tions had basis Of fact. 4 is apparent
that they have embarrassed the gov
ernments of both countries. II is for the
purpose OF learning the truth connect
ed with the asphalt concessions that a
dist nguished citizen of Chicago is now
on his way to Venezuela.
Both the Chinese and the Venezuelan
affairs illustrate how closely the pri-
vate claims OF American citizens may
involve the official relations of the re
public with other powers. II is of the
utmost consequence. therefore, that the
diplomatic representatives of the Uni
ted States, and also the consular ap-
poimees, should be Of such character
and capacity as TO prevent the govern
ment from being drawn into a quarrel
over dishonest or unworthy claims
made by American citizens upon other
nations
Secretary Root did much for the
army during his term as secretary OF
war. 1t is highly probable that he will
do an even greater amount OF benefit
to the state department II congress will
give him reasonable help