Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-28
De Reus Not Excited.
Situation Very Delicate.


precedented situation at Venezuela in
volving. as it does. important relations
with powerful European nations. the pol
icy of the Netherlands government in the
present controversy will be watched with
unusual interest. Affairs would be great
ly simplified If the interests of the Meth
erlandS and Venezuela were alone con-
cerned. But 1t turns out that omitting
even the general interest of the United
States government In the welfare of Vene-
zuela as an American country, the gov
ernments Of Great Britain. Germany and
Italy have large financial interests in
Venezuela with which 1t might be mex
pedient for the Dutch government to in
terfere. Diplomatists who have studied the
matter assert that the Dutch govern
ment will have a difficult and delicate
task in using armed force against Cas-
tro without running counter TO the flnan-
cial interests of Great Britain, Germany
and Italy, to say nothing of possible
infringement of the Monroe doctrine.
Uncle Sam Might Interfere.
La Guaira and Puerto Cabello are the
only ports of consequence in Venezuela,
and the warships of the Dutch govern
ment could not lombard nor blockade
them without serious injury to the inter-
ests of Great Britain, Germany and Italy,
each of which has a lien on portion of
the revenues OF the two ports for the set
tlement of outstanding claims. 1t is
admitted to be practically impossible for
the Netherlands to land an effective army
on the shores of Venezuela, and notwith-
standing, the grievance of the United
States government against President Cas-
tro 1t is not likely 1t would quietly sub
NIT to an invasion of American territory
by European power. 1t is for these and
other reasons that local diplomatists are
somewhat puzzled as TO the purpose of
the movement of the Dutch warshlps in
Venezuelan waters.
The present controversy has naturally
directed attention to the attitude of the
United States government toward the
joint attempt made by Great Britain, Ger
many and Italy in 1gW2-U3 to enforce their
claims against Venezuela. In memOran-
dunn communicated by Mr.. Hay December
I6 1901, to the German ambassador he
recalled that in a message of December
g. 1901, the President had said that the
Monroe doctrine is declaration that
there must be no territorial aggrandze-
ment by any non-American power at the
expense of any American power on Amer
ican soil, and that it is in no wise intend
ed as hostile to any nation in the old
world. The President further said that
this doctrine has nothing to do with the
commercial relations of any of the Amer
ican powers, save that in truth ii allows
each of them to form such relations as it
may desire. I'VE do not guarantee" he
added, any state against punishment if il
| misconducts itself, provided that punish
ment does not take the form of the ac-
QUESTION OF territory by any -Ameri-
can power Mr.. Hay in his memoran-
dunn of December 10. 1901, stated that the
German ambassador had conveyed person
ally TO the President and subseuuentlv to
the Secretary Of State the assurance of
the German emperor that his majestv's
government had no purpose nor intention
OF making even the smallest acquisition of
territory on the South American conti
nent.
How About "Confiscation-p
Although Germany. Great Britain and
italy Kept their promise not to acquire a
| square inch OF Venezuelan soil. tbev
| he'er'heiess obtained a mortgage on q
| large traction OF the customs revenues of
La Guaira and Puerto Cabelio. which lien
was To last until the debts due re-
specuVeiy, to the three blockading powers
| should have been paid. II quickly becama
| evident to the United States government
that II this sequestration Of customs rev
| ehues TO secure the payment of debts
arising out of contracts should he extend .
ed TO all the ports Of Latin American
| republic. and should be continued for an
INDEFINITE period. such confscation must
! SenSlbly affect the destiny Of the dehtor
republic. which Is. Of course. one of the
| things that the Monroe doctrine lis de-
| signed to prevent. Since then the United
| States government has striven To avert a
! repetition Of the Venezuela blockade for
the purpose of enforcing contractual oh
! legations. and In the case OF Santo Do
mingo has itself interposed I'm the role of
a collecting and disbursine agent between
| the debtor American republic and It's for
eign creditors
| Considerable curiosity exists in Wash
| ington as to whether the Dutch govern
ment in dispatching the cruiser Gelder-
land to Venezuela contemplates any fur
ther step than merely 1.-The protection of
! Dutch interests in that country" This
| is rather an elastic term and NAV be
called upon to cover wide latitude of ac-
tion IL necessary. 1t is possible that the
| Netherlands government. In view OF the
| anti-EeneZuelan demonstrations in VII.
i Icra tad Safitrdatt ax,A