Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-04-01
THE VENEZUELA CASE.

The case between this country and
venezuela is one that ought to be sub
mttted TO arbitration. 1t Is not case
OF vital interest" to either country,
nor Is "national honor involved.
President Castro seems to be unwilling
to have the matter settled amicably.
and Secretary Root has given our rep
resentative Instructions to present the
American claims rather forcibly. You
VIII call the attention OF the govern
ment of Venezuela, Secretary Root
says, TO the fact that Notwithstanding
the long and unbroken friendship man
ifested by the United states for Vene-
zuela Notwithstanding the repeated
occasions upon which the United States
has interviewed as II friend in need TO
relieve Venezuela from disagreeable
and dangerous complications with other
foreign powers the government
of Venezuela has within the past few
years practically conliscated or de-
stroyed all the substantial property
interests of Americans in that coun-
try
The principal sufferer Yenezuela's
anti-American policy is The New York
and Bermuda company. This COM
pany has Just issued a statement of
it's case, 1t is q volume containing
$50 pages.
The company denies the allegations
OF the Venezuelan agents. that it has
taken any part in revolutions. It claims
that II has been the victim Of conspira-
cies az Caracas TO despoll 1t OF its prop
erty; that the means used for this
purpose We're employed and controlled
by the government that adverse titles
to parts OF the company's asphalt lake
were issued ana offered for sale by the
government; that an offer of these
titles 20 It's own property was made to
the company which was kindly afforded
the FIRST chance" to buy one of them
for 100000.
In the company's statement II Is adj
mitted that the region in which the
company's asphalt lake was situated
was constantly swept by revolutionary
bands 10 whom the company was
often forced in self defense TO supply
food IN small quantities and some
times TO do other small services. 1t adj
mits that II paid 10 General Matos cer-
tain sums OF money this payment being
made for the protection Of It's property
during tho continuance OF the revolu-
tion and for the protection of its just
rights thereafter, In ease the revolution
succeeded, but without any under
standing az obligation with respect TO
its use
This seems 10 have furnished the
government an excuse for Interfering.
on June s. 1894 the company received
information that tho Venezuelan gov
eminent had demanded OF II the pay
nlent of the sum OF 5oO0O0o0 bollvurs.
or else the payment OF 100000 and the
surrender ot its property as an alter
native Of being sued for the annul-
ment of the Hamilton concession, as
well as FOR damages for failure TO per-
form It's obligations aud for aid to the
that allegation.
Tho question from the Venezuelan
point OF view looks rather more grave.
IN brochure OF about AS pages, the
trust Is accused of trying 80 Dust
Castro" the president of Venezuela
ana proofs are offered IN support OF
that allegation
The matter should be- submitted 90
arbitration before the controversy en-
isrs stage in which hot passion gets
uAe pest Of reason,