The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-22
Troubles Of Venezuela
UE.- The Attitude of Venezuela
By Frederic J. Haskin.


 Caracas, Venezuela. Oct. 2i.-It can, not be denied that the Dutch case against Venezuela Is much weakeI one than the enemies Of Castros re. gime could wish. Hollands complaint against the Venezuelan government IS most important at this moment merely because Queen wilhelmins'a govern ment Is disposed to back up it's diplo- macy with guns. If President Castro were not involved in embarrassing sit- nations with almost every nation on earth 1t is to be doubted if the Dutch would be permitted to proceed without intervention.
 The Venezuelan government, how ever, Is disposed to treat the Dutch case as if it were absolutely alone. The actual control of President Castro over every department of his government, and his contempt for the nice forms Of diplomatic procedure. has resulted in an apparent advantage to the Dutch which a close examination of their claims fails to support. If Castro had left the matter entirely in the hands of pr. Jose Paul. his Minister of Foreign Affairs, the story might have been a different one. Dr. Paul is a man of undoubted ability. He was educated st Yale, has travelled abroad and is a lawyer of renown. It is not pretended that he is any better than Castro's government, merely that he Is abler.
 The attitude of that faction of the Venezuelan government which is re- presented by men of pr. PauIs type was set forth by a prominent lawyer or Caracas whose high position in governmental affairs commands respect for his opinions. This gentleman said:
 This strained situation between Venezuela and Holland has arisen in connection with the commercial re- lations between this republic and the Dutch colony of Curacao, an island which lies within forty miles of our coasts. The situation is not new, and resume of the history of the case is necessary to clear understanding of the dificulty. Curacao and other West Indian islands near Venezuelan shores long ago became favorite bases of operations for smugglers who made 1t their business to introduce foreign merchandise into Venezuela without paying the customs duties.
 The privilege of trans-sh ipment of cargoes in Curacao. which the Dutch Government demands shall be permitt- ed' was originally granted only under certain restrictions. A large ship from New York or from Hamburg, or other "0S POAhHAtlCN tO ITdHS@BniD ILS cargo at Curacao to a smaller ship fitted to enter some of the shallow ports of this country. But 1t was required that the trans-shipment be made from ship to ship, and under certain well-deflned restrictions. This privilege was abused, the result being that goods were landed in Curacao and then sent to Venezuelan ports by what ever method presented itself. Further more. the merchants of Curacao bought wares in Europe and the United States and held them for sale in Venezuela, frequently to be sent to this country in smuggling schooners.
 Tt was this intolerable condition which led the Venezuelan government under the presidency of Guzmen Blanco to levy an additional duty of 30 ner- cent upon all imports into Venezuela from West Indian ports. The Dutch government protested at that time. about thirty-five years ago, There was no demonstration in force. how ever. Venezuela asserted its right to protect It's revenues and its leriti- mate business men from the im- pairments' of the dealers in cpntraband goods and the 80 per cent extra duty has stood-as the law of the land ever since. .a- S'ei
 For twenty years there were no diplomatic relations between Holland ano venezuela. In 1894 the friendly lntercourse was resumed. and a com Vention between the two countries was arranged in the form of a protocol By that convention. the Dutch sovern- ment bound itself to refuse asvIur, m curacao to revolutionists and other enemies and plotters against Inc venezuelan government. On the other h1no, venezuela agreed to permit free ana unrestricted commerce between curacao and Venezuela, with the ex- Sept'on mat the extra duty of 90 per was not removed.
 The Dutch government has yst,.A 70 keep its part of the agreement and Ievolutiontsts and plotters against the government of Venezuela have fo,,nS reruse in Curacao. It was with thn khoWiedge that Curacao was an as,,,',ns TOT Nenezuelans who were fin svmrsth.. W wltn enemies of the republic. and thst ~ was port from which shins aaIIaS r,.s4 e intention of defraudfnR inc ment last May Issued the SecreS srn niolting transshipment of roods dast,o eu TOT venezuelan ports fin Cs sraenn anu requiring that such trans -sbIrs,~.Ut, , must pc made at the VenezuaIa. ..t oI Puerto Cabello. The same do poEt Spp'iso Spp To the English island of 1rr,nJ uao, put England has not maSa .. i .u suoJect Of formal protest to tb,s li sne o,aa More than a month before in. Ala cree concerning transshinment s- 1e- sued; the Dutch minister to Cs asS s ls AaE. OeHeus, wrote a letter to aes.' merciaI organization in AmstnsSa Whlch contained unpardonahIa raSion i'i tions upon the Venezuelan oovornna'. tnis letter was published in tba NTa,, Duiletln or the commercial orRanizatIe, To which 1t was addressed. When tba | puohcation came to the attentIon oS eHe government, MT. DeReus became at once, ipse faeto, persona non SratS te this government W
 He was sent his passports. and at the same time a letter to the Miais- ter Of Foreign Affairs of the Dutch government was sent to him. This let- ter explained that the Venezuelan gov ernment considered the breach of Mir. DeFeus as a personal matter, and ex- pressed the hope that the incident would not impair the friendly relations or the two governments. Mir. DeReus asked to be excused from transmitting the note 10 his ministry. and it was sent directly.
 Now one of the complaints of the Dutch government. which admits the RFoss impropriety of Mir DeReus' action. Is that the Venezuelan govern ment should not have sent passports to the offending minister, but should to recall him. According to the precedents obtaining in the courts of Europe that procedure would have been Indicated. hut 1t must be re- that conditions are quite diff ferent In Venezuela and that usages