New-York tribune., 1918-06-24
DR.. A. A. Nouel Says Great
Injustice Has Been Done
His Country
Debt to u. S. Recalled
Tales Of Anti-Americanism
Attributed to Enemies of
His Government

DR.. A. A. Nouel, a leading practitioner
OF Caracas, Venezuela, and friend OF
General Juan Vicente Gomez, President
elect and commander Of the Venezuelan
army, has Just arrived in this city. He
made q vigorous defence of his country
and government yesterday against the
recently published charges of pro-Ger-
msnism.
"A great injury has been done to
General Gomez, to the government at
Caracas and to the Venezuelan people
said DR.. Nouel, "by the publication of
stories that we are pro-German and
consequently anti-American. The per-
sons behind this propaganda OF cal
umny are enemies of our government
and of the law and order which 1t has
maintained, even to the prosecution OF
the professional agitators who hlber-
nate in all Latin American countries.
Debt to America
ain the first place, Venezuela can
never be snti-American, and great IN.
Justice has been done by the charges of
pro- -Cermanism. We all appreciate the
debt of gratitude which Venezuela owes
TO the United States. Americans fought
in our war of independence, and a
monument with their names craven on
it stands in Maracay. In 1894 1T was
President Cleveland who protected US
from threatened aggression over the
Guiana territory dispute by his memor-
able message insisting on arbitration.
again, in 1902, it was the United
States which interviewed in our behalf
and prevented German warships from
bombarding our coast. Under the cir
cumstances, how can We have anything
but a feeling of the greatest friendship
and fraternity for America and Ameri-
cans!
"The Venezuelan government has
maintained an attitude of the strictest
neutrality in the world conflict. This
has been reflected in every private and
official act Of General Gomez. | might
mention also that there are several
Venezuelans serving as officers in the
French army.
Example in New York
You have fine example here in
New York. One son of the Venezuelan
Consul General here, Senor Rincones,
died in an American camp, and he has
smother son in a camp in Texas. Not
long ago an editor was sent to Jail in
Venezuela for attacking President Will
son.
"If any further proof is required that
we are not pro-German and anti-Ameri-
can. would mention that there have
been various fetes and games in Cara
cas- for the benefit of the American Red
Cross, accounts of which appear in
newspapers which / have brought with
me. All these things are established
facts. as against the broad, unsub-
stantiated statements OF agitators
at is unfortunate that country at
peace with the world and enjoying
prosperity should be malgned as Ven
eSuela has been. Practically all our
products are being sent to the United
States. General Gomez, hard working
man, with much common sense. de-.
liberate and prudent, has done much for
the agricultural DEVELOPMENT of the
country and the encouragement az
labor. both native and foreign. We
have met our foreign debt with scupu-
ious. punctuality and have put away a
good surplus. Our automobile roads
are revelation to foreigners. They
compare favorably with the best roads
here"