New-York tribune., 1908-04-01
SENATE GETS DATA
In VENEZUELA CASE.
FOREIGN RELATIONS CON-
MITTEE WILL ACT.
Three Courses Suggested, Ranging
from Sending of Fleet to ASSESS
naent Of Retaliatory Duties.
Iron The Tribune Rurnau l

Washington, March 31.-The President for
Vsrded to the Senate to-day without comment
the correspondence and documents in the case
of Venezuela, together with the report of Spe-
Cial Commissioner Calhoun and review by the
Solicitor Of the State Department in which is
clearly set forth the evaporation which is felt
in the Department of State. The entire corre-
spondence was referred to the Committee on
Foreign Relations and that committee will pre-
pare joint resolution dealing with the situa-
ton. which resolution will. at the proper time.
he introduced by Senator Lodge.
There are three courses of action already dis
cussed by members Of the Committee For
eign Relations. One is the reporting of res
olution. such introduced by Senator
Frye and adopted in 1890 when this country
VAS experiencing serious difficulty with Venez-
Uea. This resolution. after reciting in an ex-
tended preamble the occasion for its adoption,
said Of the President, He is authorized 10 en-
ploy such means or exercise such powers as
may be necessary That was when the case
Of The Venezuela Steamboat Transportation
Company OF New York had been the subject of
unsatisfactory negotiations. and the mere adop-
tion Of the resolution brought Venezuela time.
This is the form which now appears to meet
with the greatest favor in the committee
Another form. however. which has several
friends that adopted in the case of Paraguay
in 1888, which was recently quoted in these dis
patches, and which authorized the President TO
adopt such measures and such force in
his Judgment may be necessary and advisa BILE
in the event of the refusal of just satisfaction
by the government of Paraguay In the case
Of Paraguay il was deemed advisable by Presi-
dent Buchanan TO send special commissioner,
hacked by a fleet OF nineteen vessels. carrying
Two hundred guns. to Paraguay. and the demon
.Iff1 hat 10 brin
that government 70 d realization of the equities
Of the case.
Whichever form Of resolution is adopted. how
ever il now seer,s probable that the admins
tration will send feet to the coast OF Nenez-
Iela and there seize the custom houses, as was
done by the allied powers only few years ago.
At that time, Of course Venezuela promptly
agreed to arbitrate the cases against her. and
il viii be recalled the arbitration resulted IN
the claims of Germany, Italy and Great Britain
being declared preferred. The United states is
entirely willing in this to submit its claims
"a arbitration. and has formally requested Pres
jdeut Castro to submit each Of the claims now
pressed 20 an arbitration court, but each
quest has been formally, and not too politely.
declined by Castro.
Confidence is expressed by members of the
Foreign Relations Committee that any steps
which the United States may deem II expedient
10 take discipline Castro will be welcomed by
foreign nations. most of whom have had, and
some OF whom are still having. unpleasant ex-
periences with the Venezuelan Executive.
The third proposition. which is advanced by
some Of the more tinid members Of the COM
r7ttee consists Of the assessment of retaliatory
duties and a specific duty of 3 per cent on Ven
ezuelan coffee is mentioned. The opinion pre-
walls. however, that the time has passed when
such punitive measures will prove effective
csn De adopted without loss 10 the dignity Of
This country
The Committee on Foreign Relations will meet
tomorrow. but the Venezuelan matter will not
he formally discussed. There remain three
Hague treaties TO be disposed Of, and Secretary
Root and Solicitor Scott to appear before the
committee and explain their provisions.