The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-03
Minister De Reus Was Guilty of |ndiscretion Which Does
 Not Mean War
LETTER CR|T|CIS|NG
 GOVERNMENT IS SENT
Dutch Minister in Writing Letter to Amsterdam Concerning Employ n1ent of Young Holanders
 Talked Too Freely.

Caracas. Friday, July s1, via Port of spain August 1.-The differences be- tween President Castro and the govern ment of The Netherlands will probably turn out to be less serious than they seemed at first. All talk of armed conflict Is regarded as absurd in this country. The government believes that it had the fullest justification for it's dis mssal of M. DeReus. the Dutch minister, and points to the action of the govern ment of the United States in asking the recall of the English minister, Lord Sack ville-West, at President Cleveland's re- quest, in October, 1888, as well as like demand upon Spain for the recall of Min ister Dupuy de Lome by President Me- Kinley in February. 1898. Indeed, the case of Minister DeReus is said to be much more fragrant than either of the others referred to. In the case of Sack vile and Dupuy de Lome, the letters writ ten denunciatory of the American Presi- dents were confidential and not intended for publication. DeReus on the other hand rot his letter with the deliberate purpose that it should be published
 There is society in Amsterdam called the 'Houen Trouw''-N Noyal and True). Its membership consists of prominent Holland merchants, and it's object is to secure employment for young Hollanders in foreign countries This society pub fishes monthly journal for circulation among its members. It notes existing if, ptria catcs where there are vacancies which might be profitably filled by young men from The Netherlands.
 Letters Sent Out
 Tn order to secure information respect ing the opportunities for employment the society makes a practice of sending out letters asking for information to Ducth merchants as well as to the ministers and consuls in The Netherlands gov ernlnent throughout the world. It was in response to one of these letters of in- quiry that Minister DeReus sent the fol- lowing letter, swllich was published in the May d9O9 bulletin of the "Houen Trouw society," of Amsterdam:
 "Caracas, April g. 1908.
 ''Referring to your letter of February 24 I am sorry to inform you that the present time is anything but favorable for business. The system of government (since 1S99) of the present almost dic- tatorial ruling President. which is eco- nomically for the creation and afterward, always, for the annument of monopolies, through all kinds of subteties, has very nearly ruined the country. The only ray
 d. |, Venezuela struggles Is the high price of cocoa, but this, of course is not sufficient to make the future of the republic hope full
 "A good part of the import and export trade in Venezuela is in the hands of Cicrplans, who engage their employees in Europe, chiefly at Hamburg. These young men come out generally on a contract for three years, after the expiration of which they either return, or, according to their fitness. gain advancement where they are. Firms also sometimes engage young men from this country, who are nearly all born here or come from Cur acoa. but they very seldom reach high places as it is of great importance to the German firms to have new and strong European employees in their offices, that their energy may never be dormant.
 Placing Young Men.
 "I know personally. nearly all the chiefs of the various large firms here, and I often speak with them concern ing business I do not believe, how ever that you should entertain the idea. especially in the present circum- stances, of placing young men from the Netherlands here. The firms are doing an they car to diminish the expenses and even the less prominent houses which formerly employed European or American help, now seek natives or young men from Curacoa, who are sat- isned with smaller salaries, although of the two the Curacoan is much the better.
 ..There is besides, a desperate com petition in imports, especially in the importation of textile and fancy goods by the so o-called Turks and Moroccans, who carry them into the most remote regions of the republic, and they take such small gains on account of the modest conditions in which they live, that the wholesale dealers uust re- ducc their profits to preserve their own existence.
 Uncertain Situation.
 Moreover, there is such an uncer- tain domestic and foreign political sit uation to say nothing of the n,eager prosperity, that it is clear to every body in this country tllat the engage ment of European employees is cut If the question.
 '.1he revival of commerct trade IS also impossible as long as the present government rules the country, for 1t cannot be expected that the president, after nine years, during which he has rcigned almost as a dictator will cbange his system of governorinE and