The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1916-06-08

Empire were two Canadians and one
Englishman. The Englishman was
England's Lord Chief Justice-Alver-
stone.
This Commission met in London in
1908. It's purpose was indicated both
by Roosevelt and by Hay. Roosevelt
said Through strictly diplomatic chan
nelS): L wish to make one last effort
to bring about an agreement which
will enable the people of both coun-
tries to say that the result represents
the feelings of the representatives of
both countries"
In the meantime Roosevelt moved
United States troops into Alaska. He
let it be strictly automatically known
that those troops. if the Commission
should fail, would be used ito reduce
the country to possession" He paused.
On October 90, 1903, the Commits
sion uttered its decision. Lord Al
verstone voted with the three repre-
Sentatives of the United States against
his own two Canadian colleagues.
Great Britain bowed to the applause
of the world. The Pacifists perceived
that the honor of a nation can easily
be preserved without the slightest
threat of force. Roosevelt withdrew
the United States troops from Alaska.
The friendship of two great peoples
had not suffered one moments pub
lie interruption. The boundary of the
United States in Alaska ran unmo-
Tested along it's lawful line
The Dispute With Germany.
In the midst of this engagement with
Great Britain, Roosevelt had been
forced into an engagement with Ger
many. Germany had certain pc
cuniary claims" against Venezuela. A
railway, for instance, had been built
in Venezuela at the request of Ven
ezuela by German capital at cost of
$20,000,G00. Venezuela had guaran-
teed the interest on that $20,000.000.
1t was not paying it. When pressed,
1t added a moral delinquency to its
financial delinquency. It not only re-
fused to pay, but it refused to enter
into any effective plan looking toward
payment. Germany had a good case
and Venezuela had very poor one.
At last, on December 8, 1902, Ger
many broke off diplomatic relations
with Venezuela, and so did Great
Britain. Already the fleets of Ger
many and of Great Britain, and also
of Italy, had established a blockade in
Venezuelan waters. Certain war YES
sells belonging to Venezuela were cap
tuTed and the town Of Puerto Cabello
was bombarded.
Roosevelt did not attempt to make
the United States take a public pose
as sovereign" of the Caribbean. He
launched no public fiat" His inter
probation Of the Monroe Doctrine was
moderate. It was moderate not only
in its rhetoric but also in it's essence.
IN his message Of December 3, 1901,
Slancing at the Venezuelan dispute,
he said: I'VE do not guarantee any
state against punishment if it miscon-
ducts itself" Germany had every
reason TO be pleased with this recog
milton of its rights.
At the same time, in order that
there might be no misunderstanding
of the one vital part OF the Monroe
Doctrine. Roosevelt added provided
the punishment does not take the form
of the acquisition of territory by any
non-American power"
At first it seemed that Germany was
content TO abide by this pTOviso. On
December II, 1901. the German am
bas3adOr at Washington stated that
his government had mo purpose or
intention to make even the smallest
acquisition of territory on the South
American continent or the islands adj
jacent." 1t later appeared, however,
that acquisition" in this statement
meant permanent acquisition" Ger
many would make no acquisition that
was permanent. II did not cons'd der it
self bound to make no acquisition that
WAS temporary. In fact, it was look
ing forward to such an acquisition.
Roosevelt at once objected. He re-
called the fact that in China there
were many temporary" acquisitions
OF territory by foreign powers and
that in all such cases the word TEN
pOrary" seemed to mean while time
lasts" Notes ensued. They contin-
Ued to ensue. They threatened to
keep Washington reading and writing
till the Germans had landed on Ven
ezuelan soil. Roosevelt laid down his
pen and sent for the German ambas-
sador and determined to get the mat
ter settled personally without one
word more on paper.
Roosevelt told Won Holleben, the
German ambassador, that he wanted
assurances" He told him that
Dewey was maneuveTing in the Carib-
bean; that the assurances" in question
would be expected to arrive from Ber-
lin within ten days; that if they did
not arrive Dewey would be ordered to
sail southwark and Ito see that no pos
session, even temporary, was taken of
any place in Venezuela" Won Hole
ben replied that his government would
certainly refuse to give the United
States the assurance" requested.
A week later Won Holleben visited
the White House to speak of another
matter. He spoke of it and turned to |
leave. Roosevelt: Have you heard !
anything from Berlin about Vene- !
zueIa?" Won Eolleben: NO" Roose- |
welt: 1T will not be necessary then |
for me to wait through all the re-
naming three days. l will wait just |
twenty-four hours more. Twenty |
four hours from now Dewey will sail"
At the end of twelve hours Won Hol- |
leben returned to the White House |
and said that he had heard from Ber /
lin and that he now had the honor |
to request the President of the United |
States to act as arbitrator in the set |
. 49, II - L. =