New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-25
[FRoM THE TRIBUNE BuREAU.l

washington March 24-The administration
refuses to become excited over the impudent re-
ply of President Castro to Minister Bowen's
diplomatic representations or TO regard the
answer sufficient ground for the application
of force TO the i'll behaving little South Ameri-
republic. No naval demonstration will be
made nor will there follow any military inva-
sion Of Venezuela as a result Of Castros re-
fusal to arbitrate the claims presented by the
State Department. In fact, that refusal is re-
garded as a tactical blunder Of the Venezuelan
Executive. because 1t leaves him no recourse
from the judgment Of the United States as to
whether or not the situation ultimately shall
warrant the application of force to compel
proper respect for the rights Of American citi-
zens.
MAY TAKE SHARP ACTION. LATER
The President will not, for the present. take
any action in the Venezuelan case. In fact,
apart from the continued grave disregard of the
rights of certain citizens of this country, the
situation is not entirely to the dislike of the
State Department, although there some in
dications that Castro may ultimately exhaust
the patience of the American people, and when
he does he will doubtless meet with check Of
sufficient suddenness and force to leave an in
delibe impression.
1t should be remembered however. that
American 1eeL was not QlSp0Ccned 10 smyrna
until years of aggravating postponement had
elapsed that the famous "Perdicaris alive
Rasulf dead message was not sent until the life
of man who enjoyed the privileges of American
citizenship had been iruperilIed for months-iI1
a word that no show of force has been made
by the present administration which II not
entirely prepared 60 back up, and that no dem
onstration was permitted until not only ample
time for consideration had been allowed. but
until after every other expedient had been
tried.
In this instance waiting policy will doubt
less be pursued. Nor is it likely that Minister
Bowen will be required to make further repre-
sentations Every opportunity will be given to
President Castro to make matters better-or
worse. In the mean time, the equity of the
claims against Venezuela. which might better
perhaps. have been adjudicated by arbitral
tribunal or commission. because of the increased
facilities which such a commission would have
possessed, will be carefully reviewed and judg-
ment passed on them. At least until that is
done. no further action need be looked for.
ARRANGEMENT NOT MENACING.
The administration does not regard as men
acing any arrangement which President Castro
has made or may make with regard to the pay
ment of European indebtedness. 1t is unques-
tionably the purpose of the Venezuelan Execu-
tive TO grant to European powers notably Great
Britain and Germany, a lien on the customs re-
certs of all Venezuelan ports. with the hope of
leaving the United States In position where
the seizure of any of these ports would precipi-
tate strained relations with Great Britain, Ger
many, Italy or other European powers. But
crafty as is Castros scheme, it must fall to the
ground, because it fails to take into consdera-
ton the perfect entente which exists between
those named.
Were the necessity to arise nothing would
prevent the United States from Selling Porto
Cabello and La Guayra or any minor ports
Before such action was taken assurances would
be conveyed, through the proper diplomatic
channels that any legitimate liens would be
that the 80 per cent of the customs
receipts guaranteed by the negotiations of 1903
would be collected and paid over TO the powers
party 10 the arbitral proceedings before The
Hague Tribunal before any sum was applied
to the claims of this country. and that like re-
spect would be paid 10 any subsequent guaran-
tee made legally or equitably by Castro of a
portion of the customs receipts of other ports
Such an arrangement, it may be asserted. would |
be welcomed by the powers. because it would
insure honest administration of the ports in
volved and would further obviate the ever pres
ent liability of Castros violating his pledges 10
devote the stipulated percentages TO the de- |
fragment of venezuela's questionable debts.
VENEZUELA AND sANTO DOMINGO.
Such action would place the United States in |
i position somewhat analogous to that con-
-emplated by the Dominican protocol. with re- /
gard to the customs receipts of Santo Domingo |
put with the radical difference that when the
United States took possession of Venezuela's !
ports it would do under necessity after il |
had exhausted every diplomatic expedient and |
after Castro had positively refused to submit |
he existing differences to arbitration and the |
United States would be under no necessity of |
paying TO the Venezuelan government any per-
,entage whatever OF the customs so collected |
Il viii be recalled that the Dominican arrange
nent. which was. OF course, made at the solicit |
ation of Santo Domingo called for the pay |
nent of 45 per cent OF the gross receipts from /
customs 10 the Dominican government. leaving /
only % per cent 10 be paid pro rata on all in |
and TO cover the cost OF collection:
20 that, unless Castro were validly to guaran- |
ZEE extraordinarily large percentage of, his |
customs to foreign powers. American claim |