New-York tribune., 1908-08-24
CASTRO MUST YIELD
Holland WM Not accept Com
pro1nise-No Popular Enthusiasm

The Hague. Aug 22-The distant Venezuelan
war cloud does not ruffie the placidty Of the
Dutch capital in the least. There is enthu-
siasrn over the prospect Of Furnishing President
Castro for the insult suffered by the Dutch Min
lister The public seems content to let the gov
eminent take whatever measures II considers
proper and necessary and displays litte in
terest. Minister de Reus who was expelled BY
President Castro, is expected to arrive here to-
morrow.
The officials OF the Foreign Cffcs profess TO
believe that there is 2 chance Of ssttling the
trouble between the two nations by diplomacy.
hut preparations which noV being made by
the Ministry of Marine discredit such optimism
Nothing less than the speedy withdrawal OF
President Castro's decrees which have been the
means Of Gripping trade in the island of Cura-
Gao. and something in the nature Of an apology
for the humiliation Of the Dutch Minister. will
be satisfactory to Holland.
Few persons however believe that President
Castro will consent these terms. Arbitra-
ton is being urged by some of the newspapers
which put forward the argument that Holland
being the home Of the worlds peace movement.
the scene of the peace conferences. and its capt.
tai the site OF the peace palace. should be the
last country adopt measures.
The government would be glad II such a solu-
tion that offered by arbitration we're possible
Queen Wilhemna particularly is anxious to
preserve peace. but apart from the fact that
Castro laughs at the decisions OF arbitration
courts. the Cabinet regards the summary dis
missal of its minister as insult to the ma
tional honor, which is outside the class of cases
for which arbitration is suitable.
Diplomatic precedents it is pointed out re-
quired President Castro II Minister de Reus
persona non grata, TO inform the Dutch govern
rnent that he desired the minister's withdrawal.
The Venezuelan President without reg -rd TO the
deiicacy of the situation, practically ordered the
representative OF Holland from the country
without as Holland at present understands II,
just cause.
When the question 20 what action should
be taken against Venezuela first came before the
government. two objections blockade were
set forth. One that the United States might
find objections to this action. the ground that
II was opposed to the Monroe Doctrine: the
ond was that other nations which held griev-
ances against Castro might wish 10 join Holland
in Furnishing him. A full agreement with the
government Of the United States has now been
reached and the Cabinet believes that the other
powers Ill permit Holland to settle her dispute
without complications
While the Foreign Office assumes the attitude
Of hoping for diplomatic arrangement, the fact
is not concealed that the Dutch government will
not accept any compromise, and that it is pre-
I-red to enforce its demands
The newspaper Dutch Voices the organ of
the National Historic Society. has been appeal
ing 70 all the newspapers 10 organize a popular
movement for war. hut the other papers have
treated the appeal with disapprovai or sarcasm.
advising the people TO leave the question TO the
discretion OF the government. II has been
charged that Amsterdam fnanCers have been
opposing q war. The 'Handelsblad,' the chief
financial journal in Amsterdam, last evening
published a denial of the charge. saying that
the Amsterdam Exchange had very small in
terest In Venezuela. out that Amsterdam mer-
chants were interested in the resumption OF
trade with that country soon as possible on
terms compatible with Dutch honor.
Jonkheer J. Lcudou. former Minister to Japan.
who recently vas appointed Minister 10 the
United States is here on leave of absence. but
will soon start for his post. There has been no
Venezuelan Minister to The Hague since 1904.
when President Castro withdrew the incumbent,
no successor being appointed.
In addition to the cruiser Gelderland. which
is now near Venezuela, and the battleship
Jacob van Heemskerk which sailed for Carib-
bean waters August II, the cruisers Utrecht.
Holland and Fresland will be dispatched as
soon as preparations have been completed