Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-05
MAY DISPLAY FORCE
Warships May Be Sent to
Venezuelan Ports.
TREATMENT OF BOWEN
ADMINISTRATION PURPOSE TO
BE MADE KNOWN TO CASTRO.
The Attorney General Called Upon for
an Opinion as to the Legality of
Judicial Proceedings.
TREATMENT OF BOWEN

1t is expected that the policy OF the ad-
ministration in the matter of the alleged
differences with the government of VeneZ-
uela will be officially announced in the
course of few weeks What form this
announcement will take is as yet undeter-
mined, but it seems to be conceded that
the purpose of the government will be con-
veyed to President Castro through instruc-
tions to Mr.. Bowen, United States minister
at Caracas, and that if the Venezuelan
presidents treatment of the representations
of this government is not satisfactory the
administration may resort to a formida Ole
display of force on the Venezuelan coast
in order to bring President Castro to terms.
Seizure of Asphalt Property.
It is stated that in order that a proper
legal basis be laid for immediate action by
the United States for the settlement of GER
tain of its claims against Venezuela the
President has called on Attorney General
Moody for an opinion as to the legality OF
the action of the Venezuelan authorities in
seizing the property of the American and
Bermudez Asphalt Company. in Venezuela,
and the regularity of the judicial proceed
ings by which that company has been de-
prived of it's valuable asphalt properties
1t has been intimated by representatives
of the asphalt company that the courts OF
NeneZueld nave DeeH lHHUencSu III tItiT uc-
cisions in the matter by the wishes of
President Castro, who is said to be preju-
diced against the American and Bermudez
Asphalt Company in favor of the interests
of a rival organization.
The charge that President Castro is using
his official position to influence judicial de-
cisions is a most serious one, and naturally
difficult of proof, even If it were so. If such
charge were brought against the execu-
tive branch of the United States govern
ment it would be promptly resented as a
national insult, and consequently the Off
cials here are not willing to admit that they
even entertain such a thought against the
Venezuelan executive.
May Demand Restitution.
Considerable Importance attaches to tho
opinion of the Attorney General as to the
regularity of the proceedings of the judicial
tribunals of Venezuela, inasmuch it will
determine the future course of the United
States. In the event that the Attorney
General should hold that the Venezuelan
president had arbitrarily caused the illegal
seizure of the properties of the American
company, it is fair assumption that the
United States will demand full and proper
restitution and will be prepared to back up
its demand with strong naval demonstra-
ton. 1t SO happens that, without any such
intention, the United States will be particu-
larly well prepared to enforce it's position in
this matter, for within few weeks all the
vessels or the NortH Atlantlc, European ana
South Atlantic fleets will be assembled ip
the vicinity of Culebra, in the Northern
Caribbean. not more than a days sail from
the Venezuelan coast. 1t would then be a
very simple matter to lay all the ports Of
that country under tribute at short notice.
Although the relations between the gov
ernment of the United States and Venezuela
are not SO friendly at this time is desir-
able, they have not by any means reached
a point where the differences could not be
q
on either side and disposition on the part
of both governments to reach an amica BILE
settlement through the peaceful medium Of
diplomacy.