The Washington herald., 1908-04-09
ANGRY WITH CASTRO
Administration Would Like
to Punish Venezuela.
WAITS ON PUBLIC OPINION.
No Radical Step to Be Taken
Against Defiant President OF the
Latin American Republic Until
People Demand ActiOn-TwO Naval
Letter Bags Opened at La Guaira.

There is decided irritation IN govern
ment circles over the Venezuelan stu
alton.
President Castro's attitude of resistance
to the proposal OF Secretary Root for the
submission OF pending American claims
TO arbitration, brought vexation to the
Washington administration. This has
given away to real anger since the pubM-
cation OF inspired articles IN Caracas
newspapers criticising President Roose-
welt ana Secretary Root
The government, in its present temper,
would be glad Of an opportunity to use
drastic measures against Venezuela. It
would be unwise, however. to make any
radical move. It is considered. without the
support Of popular opinion.
Situation Not Understood.
Unfortunately for the governments pur-
pose the Venezuelan situation is little un-
deTstood by the American people. There
has been no general expression OF senti-
ment to indicate whether a policy Of CO.
ercion against the South American Re
public would or would not meet with
widespread approval
Until there is such expression OF popular
feeling, and It is directed against Ven
ezuela, the administration viii make no
move. That much has been made clear
70 the members Of the Senate Committee
on Foreign Relations. most OF whom are
Of the opinion that any other course
would be indiscreet. But how TO arouse
public sentiment has not been determined.
The first step in the programme was
the transmission TO the Senate OF all
diplomatic correspondence In the five cases
al issue. This was so voluminous and the
controversies involved so complicated that
an adequate presentation Of the position
Of the United States could not be set
forth in the press in a way that would be
easily understood by newspaper readers.
As a result the Venezuelan correspond
eaoe attracted little attention.
Unpopular Trust Involved.
Another prospective embarrassment lies
in the fact that one of the American
claimants against Venezuela is the as
phal trust. Some doubt as to the justice
Of its claim has been expressed.
In addition to that complication this
is campaign year. The administration
might find 1t unpopular and Improbable
TO adopt radical measures TO benefit a big |
corporation.
The chief officials Of the government are
insistent, however, that it is not a cues |
ton Of whether a trust Is involved but
whether Venezuela shall be permitted 10 |
continue a course Of absolute ruinatou
OF every American enterprise IN that
country
Until approving public sentiment justl- |
fes IL, the administration will make no /
move to bring Venezuela 10 terms. Tenta- /
tive plans have been arranged for author |
izatiOn by Congress TO place a surtax on l
venezuelan products, and, If necessary, 70 /
take more stringent measures, perhaps 10 /
the extent of declaring a peaceful block |
ade Of Venezuelan ports.
In the meantime nothing will be done
by the government No scheme to use
the army and navy in carrying out the
proposed policy has been formulated
While the navy may be called on uiti-
nately 10 enforce a blockade. there is
no intention 70 assign any part OF the
army 70 Venezuelan service
Opening of Naval Mail.
The tampering with the mail bags in.
tended for the United States cruiser
Tacoma several weeks ago by the au-
thorities OF the La Guaira post-omce
was explained yesterday by the arrival
of a mail report OF The incident from |
Commander John Hood, the commanding
officer OF the Tacoma.
Two letter bags had been opened. but
their contents were intact. The bag con-
tanning registered mail vas not opened
Nothing was missing from either of the
bags which had been opened.