New-York tribune., 1908-08-03
CASTRO FEARS NO WAR
LETTER OF NJ. DE REUS.
VenezueIa's Reason for Dismissal of
Dutch Minister.

Dutch Minister.
CARACAS. July 81 Cvia Port OF Spain, Aug. y.
The differences between President Castro and
49, government of the Netherlands viii proba-
,lv t,,rn out to be less serious than they seemed
:. FIRST All talk of an armed conflict Is re-
-s-5e5 as absurd in this country. The govern
s,- believes that IL had the fullest justifca-
,ior for its dismissal OF n. de Reus. the Dutch
Minister and points to the action OF the gov
eminent Of the United States in asking the re-
all Of the English Minister. Sackville-West- at
President Clevelands request in october. looo'
as well as the demand Spain for the recah
~ Minister Dupuy de LONE by President NC
1,.rte,- in February 1895 Indeed. the case Of
Minister de Reus is said TO be much more ma
rant tr9 either Of the others referred to In
the case If SackviIle- West and Dupuy de LONE
,he letters denunciatory of the American Presi-
sen-s were confidential and not intended for
-,,r1icstion De Reus. on the other hand, wrote
his letter with the deliberate purpose that it
should be published
There is : society in Amsterdam called tne
Hon en T-rouw loyal and True). It's mem
rership consists of prominent Holland mer-
chants. and its object is TO secure employment
for young HoIanders in foreign countries Ihls
society publishes monthly bulletin for circu-
iarfcn among its members 1t notes eHlsuhs
-rlrare there are vacancies which might be
nroftablv filled by Young men from the Nether-
lands
IN order 70 ~e- information respecting the op-
rortun.ties for employment the society makes
6 uractice Z sending out letters asking Tor IN
fo-ration 70 Dutch merchants as well as 10 the
ministers and ccnsglls of she Netherlands gov
ernment throughout the world 1t was IN
-esponse 10 one of these letters Of inquiry tnad
Minister lie Reus sent the following letter
which was published in the bulletin for May.
1an8 # the Hou en- Trouw Society;
Caracas. April g. 1908
Referring TO your letter of February 2s. am
sor7v - inform you that the present time is
.-zrhing hut favorable for business The sys-
-eT Of government (since 1892 Of the present
almost dictatorial ruling President whlcn Is
economically for the creation and afterward al
--svs for the ennunent Of rnonopolies. through
81 kinds Of subteties. has very nearly ruined
sg-l- 5aI-s through which Venezeula, struggles
* the high price Of cocoa but this Is OF course
nor SUFFICIENT to make the future Of the republic
hopeful.
Venezuela is in the hands Of Germans who en-
gage their employees in Europe. chiefly at Ham
hrrE These Young men come out generallF
On = contract for three years. after the explra~
ton of which they either return, or, ACCORDING
n 1heir fitness. get advancennent Whsre me ie.
sre Firms also sometimes engage young men
from this country. who are nearly all born mere
ar come from Curacao. but they very seldom
~each high places It IS OF great Importance 10
-he German firms 10 have new and strong Euro
pean employees in their offices that their energy
nay never be dormant
! know personally nearly all the chiefs or the
various large firms here, and often speak with
them concerning business. 1 DO not believe
however that you should entertain the idea, es-
re-isIlv in the present circumstances. OF placing
Young men from the Netherlands here. The
firms are doing all they can 70 diminish ex-
renses and even the less prominent houses
~
heIr now seek natives young men from
Curacao. who are satisfied with smaller salaries
although of the rVo the Curacaoans are much
te1te-
There IS. besides a desperate competition in
imports especially in the Importation OF textile
7nd fancy goods by the so-calIed turks ana
Noroccans who carry them into the most re-
mote regions Of the republic and take such
small gains on account Of the modest condi
lions IN which they live that the wholesale
dealers must reduce their profits II preserve
their own existence
Moreover. there is such uncertain donnes
&c and foreign political situation, 10 nothing
n the r1eagre prosperity. that il is clear to
everybody in this country that the engagement
or European employees Is out Of the question.
The revival Of commercial trade Is also i'm
possible so long as the present government rules
tle country. for Il cannot be expected that the
present President. after nine years. during which
~ has reigned almost as dictator. will change
ms system Of governing and his domestic and
foreign policy Those who cannot succeed in
getting ion in Venezuela through the fnfu
enoe u the Hamburg firms would do much bet
Ter 20 TT other Central or South American
countries. where prosperity and progress are
greater and the future is brighter than in this
republic
The Minister Resident Of the Netherlands.
DE RECS.
The rurlor that the Dutch armored ship Jacob
rsn Heemskerck has been ordered to Venezuelan
waters with hostile purpose is denied here. II
being we'll known that the ship has been sent
out IN ne ordinary way 10 relieve the Gelder-
End the regular term Of service of the latter
vess@1 on this station being about to expire.