Omaha daily bee., 1905-09-28
HEnnznrLlN RrLArIons.

It is stated that one Of the important
topics which President Roosevelt viii
discuss in his annual message to CON
gress is that Of the relations between
this country and Venezuela. These are
not at pres6at entirely satisfactory, the
government Of the southern republic
having for some time shown an un-
friendly spirit and even assumed a
menacing attitude, IL reports from there
have correctly represented the situation.
These indicate that not only has Presi
dent Castro taken a defiant position,
but also sought to create in neighboring
republics a feeling Of hostility toward
the United States.
While 1t is the policy Of this country
TO cultivate the most friendly relations
with the republics south Of us-a policy
repeatedly affirmed and carefully pur-
sued-it Is at the same time the duty
Of our government to see that Amer
lean rights and interests in those coun-
tries are properly respected and that our
citizens there are fairly and Justly
treated. This the Venezuelan govern
ment has seemed indisposed to recog-
nize. its course in some respects being
wholly arbitrary and calculated to dis
turb friendly relations. The attitude
Of Venezuela toward foreign countries
is also such as to invite trouble In
which the United States might possibly
become involved in upholding tire Mon
roe doctrine.
No one will find fault with President
Castro in using all proper efforts to
conserve the interests of his country
and promote the welfare of its people,
but he must be required to have regard
for the rights and interests of other
countries and for those obligations
which are imposed upon Venezuela as
a member of the family Of nations. II
Castro and his adherents do not under
stand what is necessary in this respect
they must be taught and an exigency
may arise when 1t will be incumbent
upon the United States to impart the
instruction. This country has assumed
the responsibility Of protecting the in
dependent states of this hemisphere
against European aggression. 1t is
pledged to maintain the territorial in
tegrity of the southern republics and
to safeguard them from the forcible
introduction of the political systems Of
Europe. In other words it guarantees
the security of their territory and their
institutions. This responsibility carries
with It the right to counsel and to exert
all proper influence to avert conflicts
with foreign nations.
Persistence in the course she has for
some time pursued will inevitably lead
Venezuela into war. 1t would seem
that the men in power there expect this,
for it is said they are preparing for
such an eventuality. 1t is therefore
manifestly the duty of our government
to plainly state its relations with Ven
ezuela and what may be expected of it
in the event of the republic continuing
to disregard international obligations
and the rights OF the citizens Of other
Mr. Roosevelt very clearly defined the
position Of the United States toward
the southern republics, pointing out that
chronic wrong-doing on the part of any
of those countries might force the United
States to the exercise of an interna-
tional police power. 1--WE would inter-
fere with them only in the last resort,
and then only II 1t became evident that
their inability or unwillingness to do
justice at home and abroad had violated
the rights of the United States or had
invited foreign aggression to the detri-
ment Of the entire body of American ma
TONS" II appears to be necessary or
expedient to reafirm this statement OF
the position of our government