The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-24
Allow War Cloud to Approach
 Without a Culver
M. DE REUS COMES TODAY
No Action Is Taken Until Return of insulted Mlnlster-Other Ma. tions Leave Field Clear
 for Bantam Fight.

The Hague, August 23.-The distant Venezuelan war cleud does not ruffe the placidity of the Dutch capital in the least. There Is no enthusiasm over the prospect of punishing President Castro for the insult suffered by the Dutch minister. The public appears content to let the government take whatever measures it considers proper and necessary and displays little inter- have taken in the diplomatic relations between Holland and Venezuela.
 Some show of interest was made directly after recent meeting of the cabinet at which the entire situation was discussed but since then the wheels of government have moved slowly, the minister of foreign affairs waiting the return of M. de Reus, the Meth erlands minister resident in Ca- racas. who was dismissed by the ven- ezuelan president. M. de Reus Is ex i. pected to arrive here tomorrow.
 Diplomacy Suggested.
 The officials of the foreign office pro- fess to believe that there is yet a | chance of settling the trouble between the two nations by diplomacy, but preparations which are now being made by the ministry of marine dis credit such optimism. Nothing less than the speedy withdrawal of Presi- dent Castros decrees which have been the means of crippling trade in the Island of Curacao and something in the nature of an apology will be satisfac- tory to Holland.
 There are few, however. who believe that President Castro will consent to these terms. Arbitration Is being urged by some of the newspapers, which put forward the argument that Holland, be- ing the home of the worlds peace movement and the scene of the peace to embark in warfare.
 The government would be glad if such solution was possible.
 Castro Is Drastic.
 Diplomatic precedents it is pointed out, required President Castro, if Minister de Reus was persona non grata, to notify the Dutch government that he requested the minister's with drawal. But no such step as this was taken by the Venezuelan presi dent, who with out regard to the deli- cacy of the situation, practically or dered the representative of Holland from the country, without, as Holland understands it, justice or reason. When the question as to what action should be taken against Venezuela first came before the government for consideration, and a blockade was be- ing debated, two complications arose. One was that the United States might find objections to this action on tn e ground that it was opposed to the Mon roe doctrine; the second was that oth CT nations which held grievances against Castro might wish to join in his pun ishment.
 A full agreement with the govern ment of the United States has now been reach ed, and the cabinet believes that the other powers will permit Holland to settle her dispute without complica- tions. To the great satisfaction of Hol- land, the government of the United States ruled that there would be no objection to a blockade of Venezuelan ports or other measures against Ven- ezuela, providing no territory was seized. That leaves the way open now for Holland to proceed against Presi- dent Castro in as forceible manner as 1t deems necessary