Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-07-28
MUCH CURIOSITY
At Washington Regarding Relations
of The Netherlands and Venezuela.

Washington, July 27.-Considerable
curiosity exists in Washington as to
whether the Dutch government in
dispatching the cruiser Gelderland to
Venezuela contemplates any further
step than mere THE protection of
Dutch interests in that country" This
is rather an elastic term and may be
called upon to cover wide latitude of
action. 1t is possible that The Meth
erlands government in view Of the
anti-Venezuelan demonstrations in
Willemstad fears reprisals by Vene-
zuelans on Hollanders residing in that
country and thinks it best to have
| available a warship in case of emer-
gency Curacao merchants claimed to
have suffered financial loss as a re-
suit of various orders of President
Castro since the prevalence of the
| bubonic plague but it is not believed
that the Dutch government intends to
take any retaiatory steps to redress
such grievances At any rate, what
ever the plan may be, Holland has not
communicated her intentions to this
government and nothing indicative OF
her course is known officially in Wash
ington.
1t is pointed out here that if Hol-
land contempateS taking measures
against Venezuela, there are several
European countries as we'll as America
whose wishes should first be consulted
The countries party to the arbitra-
ton would want something to say II
steps are to be taken by Holland that
| would stop the monthly instailments
now paid by Venezuela.
In official circles attention is called
to the misrepresentation which appears
to prevail in regard to the Monroe
Doctrine in the discussion of the rela-
tons of European governments t",
wards the countries south of us AS
stated by President Roosevelt in his
first message to Congress that doctrine
is a declaration that there must be no
territorial agrandizement by any non
American power at the expense of any
American power on American soil. 1t is
nowise intended as hostile to any ma
ton in the cold world" said the Presi-
dent
Today's dispatches to the state de-
partment from Consul Cheney at Will
lernstad confirms the press reports OF
the riotiouS demonstrations in that
city on Saturday and Sunday. Vene-
zuela has made 1t clear to The Meth
erlands government that in expelline
Minister DeReus recently she took
steps which affected that person only
and that it would not alter the exist
ing friendly relations between Vene-
Zuela and The Netherlands. Whether
| these friendly relations can continue
in view of more recent events, is a
question that is causing some COM
ment. 1t is reported that Holland sent
the cruiser to Venezuela instructing
the naval officers to look up data
with a view of ascertaining Venezue-
las naval strength. On paper Vene-
zuelas strength looks quite formidable
in number of ships: but their totaI
tonnage does not approximate that OF
The Netherlands. Venezuela has not
guns aboard the ships larger than a
6-pounder with the exception of a r.
puonder on the converted yacht Re-
staurado LaGuaira and Porto Carbelo
have Notifications. These. at the latter
place are not considered formidable
in the modern sense. At LaGuaira it
is understood some modern 6-inch
Kr,ipp guns are installed. rendering
rather risky the approach of any other
than an armored vessel.