The new South-news., 1909-02-06
VENEZUELAN CONTROVERSY.
Speedy Settlement Had Been
Expected.
American Companies Compelled to
Contribute to War Chest.
. Review of the Present
situation.

New Orleans. The Plcyunr has
tn. folIosins editorial series OF the
s''ostioE as " nov exists. hot1cen
Nsnegula and the tnltcd States.
Vencxusls and the United HIries.
lopm~nt " Nsrezusla. which f-eii ei
TO indicate that everything was favor
able for speedy settlement Of the
isouhIcs which have kept that coun-
Try In hot water with her nelghbora
for years past. there now seemg 10
Nv chance that further romplica-
uops may occur. Our diplomatic re-
preventative OF C0mmlsal0ncr nov in
Caracas has so far been unable 10 ar
range an agreement vHh President
s"mcz with view 20 an early nd.
jnrimoni OF the claims which r,ilzona
"f the United States bold against the
Venezuelan Government These claims
pe based upon the conncaiion Of cor
tain concessions granted 20 American
companies by President Castro. on
the ground that tho companies paid
tribute 20 General Mafoa who con.
dnetod moro On less important ~.
f"lntlon against the Dictator several
years ago. A. Is The rule ln Latin.
American countries both The Govern
'o'nt aud the roeoiutionlnfs levied
tribute upon an comcu without
mercy, and u rs probable enough
mat tho American rompanica were
compelled 60 unwlllingly contribute
=" N" revolutionary war chest on
the strength of this alleged contribu.
'tDn thoir concessions we're connscat.
"d by the Venezuelan Government
hnd no redress was permitted execpi
on appeal To the vennznclan coufis
which being under the domination
OF IA" Castro regime. AFFORDED the
american claimants no protection
wheto,cr.
IN" venezuelan Government nov
'inims that II cannot afford TO irnore
ifs own courts and agree To a se,tl,
""ht OF tie claims by mere negotip.
h"n, Arbitration has boon suggested
but the United States representative.
mas not felt that he could agree a.
such "A disposition of tho malta,
where the claims werclso self.eviicnt
The tribute paid Maids was compul.
"or, and involuntary i,nd cannot be
admitted ms a cause for action b,
me Venezuelan Gov went.
l, Is highly unforv thai Ven.
e'ulca should beHto N &cni in re-.
fusinx p agree ~ a,,ilemcn,
y" fro4ricndiV fdIaF MN v sern ,,-n. W. N !,
two countries untIl WI amicablo
arrangement ir reached Kgd without
the aid and countena IA of the
United States the GomcvH;overnment
cannot hope 10 long escape shin.
wreck. with the friends active in
many portions of the country. lfI
many portions OF the country. IT viii
be- OF little practical value to have ar.
and the other countries having gt1ov.
sncc N the claims of the United
states. the only country capable of
protecting the autonomy of Nonexu-
sla. are rcjoicei. As far as the vcne.
suelnn courts are concerned. IL is
impossible to consent 10 leave the
matter TO their judgment MS that
phase OF the problem has long since
becn thrashcd out under Dictator
castro. The claims do not involve a |
matter OF law, but OF fact. hence the |
most direct and convenient method |
of settlement Is by negotiation. MI
" can be shown that the contributions
TO the Matos rebellion were iuvolun.
tary, there was no ground for the |
oonf'scation OF the property of the
American companies. Tha, one pro-
eiem ought to be easy OF settlement.
- the practice OF lcvyins tribute is
20 common that Il would have hoen
extraordinary had the American com
rsnies escape the general fate.
- 49,