Daily Kennebec journal., 1908-12-23
NOT UNEXPECTED.
Likelihood of Recent Developments
Has Guided American Policies.

. Washington, Dec 22.-That this govern
ment has been expecting revulsion Of
feeling in Venezuela against the admin
istration of President Castro that would
be manifested probably in the form OF a
revolution, has been no secret. For this
reason the state department has not been
disposed to push the Venezuelan authori-
ties by forceful or retaliatory measures
to agree to settlement Of the various
claims now pending, preferring to let
matters take their course. believing in
the end that the situation would work it
self out
The events of the past week in Caracas.
including the formation Of a new cabi-
net from which is eliminated the Castro
influence, and the other manifestations
of feeling against the President, they say
Justify the conclusions they formed long
ago Withal, however. it is pointed out
the President has many friends through
out the country who will rally to his
standard and with whom the authorities
at Caracas may have to reckon. That
there would be a revolution following
the Presidents departure for Europe was
fully expected. but that it would be ac-
complished without bloodshep was hard
ly expected.
Continued reticence was manifested at
the navy department today regarding the
movements Of the battleship Maine. which
left Norfolk yesterday on Il cruise, and
other vessels Of the navy whose destina-
ton is believed to be the West indies or
Venezuela One Of the theories advanced
today was that these ships would patrol
the various passages in the West Indies
to intercept any fllibustering expeditions
from this country in aid of any revolu-
tionary movement In Venezuela The aim
of the United States will be to observe
strict neutrality, SO that no complaint
may arise that this country through in
difference to the neutrality laws permit
ted the fitting out and sailing of filibus-
terinG expeditions. 1t was admitted at
the navy department today that the gun
boa Dubuque would be ordered to Ha-
vana soon. The navy department thus
by q careful disposition Of it's vessels
will he able to watch closely the various
passages leading to Venezuela.
1t is also desirable to have one Ameri-
can vessel or more in the vicinity Of the
coast of Venezuela 10 the end that ade-
quate protection may be afforded Ameri-
likewise to extend this protection to the
interests OF foreign citizens residing in
coast ports, if call for such help is
made. Tho announcement of the revo-
cation by Venezuela of the decree pro-
hibitng the trans-shipment of merchan-
disc at Willemstad. produced very ia
vorable impression at the state depart
ment and at The Netherlands legation.
That decree was serious blow to the
island Of Curacao, its principal effect, as
claimed by Holland, being 10 wipe out the
shipping business Of that port and to in
jure it most seriously
Such information as the state depart
| ment is receiving from Venezuela is OF
the most confidential nature and is being
zealously kept from the public. Natu-
rally the statement coming from Caracas
that there is to be a general reorsaniza-
ton of the government. with a prospec-
tive decorous and pacific solution of in
ternational disputes. is followed by talk
of 4 revival Of diplomatic relations be-
tween the United States ard that coun-
try.
This government Of it's own accord
broke off such relations because OF the
refusal of the Castro government to ar
bitrate the claims OF American interests
| which, it was alleged, had suffered un-
justly at the hands Of Venezuela Hav-
ing taken the initiative in terminating
these relations. the presumption is that
| this government will seek to have them
| revived when the time is 'propitious. to
| the end that the two nations may proceed
| with full consideration of the issues
between them.