The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1908-04-09
CASTRO WILL YIELD
ONLY TO FORCE
Uncle Sans Patience With vsnezuela's
Executive Exhausted.

Washington, ID. G. Especially Tho
President sent TO Congress the corrcs-
pondence that has been in progress for
years between the State Department
and President Castro. of Venezuela,
regarding the claims of the New
York and Bermudez Asphalt Com
pany, the Orinoco Steamship Com
pany. the Orinoco Corporation and
Mr.. Jaurettc all of whom claim
damages as compensation for wrongs
inflicted upon them by President Cas-
tro Accompanying the correspond
ence is the famous Calhoun report,
which was made by Mr.. Calhoun four
years ago. and which has remained
in the secret archives of the State
Department ever since. President
Roosevelt merely transmitted the
correspondence to Congress without
any recommendation, but the State
Department uses Nome strong Ian
guage, holding that "the time has come
for language stronger than that OF a
request, and IL the demand be met
with procrastination or refusal the
dignity of this government would
seem to require prompt and vigor-
Gus acton"
A Puzzling Proposition.
What "thc prompt and vigorous
action" suggested by the State De-
partment will be neither President
Roosevelt nor Secretary Root ex-
plains. MIR. Lodge will introduce a
Joint resolution comforting upon the
President complete authority to do
what he thinks necessary and effec-
tive to preserve the dignity of this
country and to bring President Cas-
tro to terms. Minister Russell will be
here by April / 6, and probably pro-
gram will then be arranged. 1t ic
suggested that the President will first
try to strike at President Castro
through his pocket. 1t is intended
that Venezuelan trade with America
shall be crippled, if not absolutely
destroyed. by levying on imports
from Venezuela additional import du-
ties which will be practically pro-
hibitory. This step is particularly
contemplated for the asphalt that is
now being taken by President Castro
from the asphalt company's lake and
sold in this country, the proceeds 60
ing into the Venezuelan treasury
nominally to recompense the Vene-
zuelan government for the expendi-
lures made to crush the Matos rebel
lion, which was largely financed by
the asphalt company. Other imports
from Venezuela arc the usual tropical
products, chief of which is coffee.
Whether President Roosevelt will
levy duty on coffee during a presi-
dental campaign is matter of
doubt.
Castro's Methods.
Apart from the destruction of the
asphalt business, it is not clear that
any steps directed against Venezue-
Ian trade would injure President
Castor as severely as it would in
Jure the business men of Venezue-
la. This fact is admitted, but II
is explained that such assaults on
Venezuelan trade with this coun-
try would create very vigorous SEN
timent among the leading business
men against President Castro, which
would compel him to accede to the
demands of the United States. Presi-
dent Castro has now been chief ruler
of Venezuela for nearly 10 years, and
the usual result of the development
of any sentiment" against him has
usually been the death or the ban
ishment of the authors of such sen
timent" and the confiscation of their
possessions by Mr.. Castro.
+ 1t is conceded by the administra-
tion that no decisive steps will be
taken, such as blockading Venezuelan
ports or sending American warships
thither, until American sentiment has
expressed itself very clearly in favor
of such a course. The matter will
be fully debated in the Senate, and
until he is convinced that the Ameri-
can people will support him in vigor-
Gus steps against President Castro,
involving, If necessary, the landing of
troops, Mr.. Roosevelt will proceed
with great caution and deliberation.