Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-04-20
Pres. Castro About to Be
Taught a Good Lesson,
President Roosevelt Will Prob
ably Be Given Full Swing
And Blanket Powers to Straighten
Out Venezuelan Matters.

Washington, April l".-From NUM-
Der u conferences which Chairman
Culloin of the Senate committee on
foreign relations has sad recently
with President Roosevelt and Secre-
tary Root it is now probable that De
fore the adjournment of the present
see sion of Congress blanket authority
will be voted to the President to pro
coed against Venezuela in such manner
as subsequent events may require 10
uphold the dignity OF the United
states End 10 protect the interests OF
American citizens. A resolution giving
such authority to the President has
been drafted by senator Cuilom ana
approved b. the President and Secre-
tary Root. 1t provides in general
terms that the President shall have the
power to deal with Venezuela i'll the
matter of adjusting the controversies
with that country concerning wrongs
done 10 American citizens and c"rpor-
ations in Venezuela By reason Of tn"
Entertainment they have received nj the
HANDS OF President Castro.
Under such authority the admins
tratiOn would again demand the sub
mission to arbitration of the claims of
American citizens and corporations
against Venezuela The treaties on the
subject of general arbitration and the
use Of force in the recovery of debts.
ratified by the Senate in the last Few
weeks, obliged the United states 10
follow this line of procedure. ON sew
eraI occasions, as is shown by ;he cor
respondence between the state depart
ment and American Minister Russell.
the American government has without
success called uDon President CaStr"
TO arbitrate the claims.
In the very last representation made to
Mr. Russell by j. de j. Paul. the Venc-
Zuelan minister for foreign affairs. he
said that the government of Venezuela
would view it with satisfaction if the
government of the United States would
consider this question of arbitration,
closed"
If a resolution giving general authority
to Pro sident Roosevelt to proceed against
Venezuela as he sees fit is adopted by
this Congress and If in that event Presi-
dent Castro continues his present atti-
tudc. there is no question that the Amer
lean government would have the power
to resort t" force. Furthermore, the in
dcation< are that an aggressive program
would he adopted.
President Roosevelt believes that Presi-
dent Castro is trying to 'blan'' this gov
eminent Secretary Root believes that
the dignity of the diplomatic branch OF
the government has been trampled upon
and Senator Cullom and other members
Of the foreign relations committee of the
helinvp In n
words. president Castro needs Il spank
ing" Undoubtedly any plan of procedure
agreed upon by the Senate would he inl-
lowed by the House. \ resolution giving
to the adninistrat ton the authority tn
deal with the situation IL it obtains the
approval of the Senate almost certainly
would be cOnCurrcd in hv the other
branch of Congress. for it is recognized
that the Senate is in close touch Wit
the state department ON al mattcrs af-
fectinE tn" foreign policy of tn. govern
ment.
The Senate committee ON foreign rela-
lions will consider the NtneZuelan core
spondence which was received in response
to the Ledge resolution when it meets
next Wednesday. il is not likely tnat
the program suggested will he completed
in time to report on that day. but every
on n plan which will give the administra-
tion a free hand to act in such II manner
a. the sit 'ation may seem to demand.