A REVIEW OF THE POSITION.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11493, 28 January 1903, Page 7

A REVIEW OF THE POSITION.

ENGLAND'S PROTESTS IGNORED

A Parliamentary paper, giving the correspondence relating to Venezuelan affairs, has just been issued, states a cable message from London to the "Han Francisco Chronicle," under date of December 15th. It begin* with a memorandum, after recounting the existing causes of complaint against Venezuela, including the seizures of British ships and the protestation against the Venezuelan Consul at Trinidad for exacting improper fees, for collecting Customs for Venezuela in Trinidad, of which "no notice was taken by Venezueda," and says: — "Besides these specific reasons and grounds for complaint there are cases in which British companies and subjects have large claims against Venezuela. " The Venezuelan Government declined to accept itlhe assurances of his Majesty's Government in regard to the Bon Righ as in any way modifying the situation. As a result the (position of ihis Majesty's Legation at Caracas is rendered quite impracticable for diplomatic purposes, as aU representations, protests, and remonstrances now remain disregarded and unacknowledged." . The correspondence, which dates to December ord, shows that as early as July 23rd Germany tentatively mentioned the Venezuelan differences, and that Foreign Secretary Lansdowne replied that he would be quite ready to confer with the view of joint action. On August Bth last Lord Lansdowne warned the Admiralty to prepare for putting pressure on Venezuela, adding: — "The German Ambassador, Count Wolff Metteraich, has suggested that tihe two Powers concerned should participate in a joint naval demonstration."

On August Ist the British Minister, Mr Haggard, notified Lord Lansdowne that he had personally presented to the ActingForeign Minister a note recording his formal protest against tihe "intolerable conduct of the Venezuelan Government," stating that unless prompt compensation was paid to the injured persons he would take the necessary steps to exact reparation. Mr Haggard conclude*: — "The Minister accepted the note quietly. His final remark "was that they were used to these communications. I said that mi-giit. t>e tbe case, but not from England. ' Mr Haggard, on August 4th, informed Lord Lansdowne *vat the Venezuelan Foreign Minister has definitely stated that "until the Ban High matter w settled satisfactorily to the interests of both, nations the Venezuelan Government cannot entertain any question on a different subject."

On September 27th Vice-Admiral Douglass suggested to the Admiralty that it would be necessary, in order to bring effective pressure on Venezuela, to blockade the ports of La Guayra, Puerto Cabello, end Maracaabo, toward the end of November, and seize all Venezuelan gunboats "until the demands are complied with." Lord Lansdowne, under date of October 22nd, eaye t£e blockade is "open to tome objection," but he indorsee the neizure of the vessels. In the next communication, dated November 11th-, Lord Lanedowne notified Charge d Affaires Buchanan at Berlin that Germany is prepared to join Great Brit-a a in in a final 'warning, and that it had been agreed that tiie first step should be the seizure of Venezuelan vessels. "As to "ue joint execution of measure* of coercion," says Lord Lansdowne., "the German Government recognised that there was a eharp distinction in the character of the British and German claims, bat that, nevertheless*, the two claims ought to stand or fall together, and that we ought to exclude the possibility of a settlement between Venezuela and one of the two Powers without an equally satisfactory settlement, with the otner." In a, further communication to Mr Buchanan, dated November 17th, Lord Lansdowne 'said that Germany concurred in the view that any joint action should be maintained until the demands of both Governments are satisfied. Mr Haggard, on November 17th, told Lord Lansdowne that tbs Venezuelan Government had reiterated that it considered the Baa Riga 4uc*uo& «ad tb» f*rititj«i

afford**! th« revolutionists .by the authorities at Trinidad to bo all important, and would be much gratified if Great Britain would express some desire for arriving at an understanding on the subject, adding that' Venezuela "therefore appeals to the sense oi fairoew of the British .Government." After settling with Germany the mode oi procedure, and t'ha instructions to be sent to the naval commanders, Lond Lansdowne, on November 27th. informed Mr Haggard thereof, and gave instruutiocs ac to ha* course regarding Jiie presentation of the ultimatum, and tiK> ilinistw's departure from Caracas, which have boen since followed out. The Foreign Ofli<x\ on November 28th, asking tlie Admiralty to forward specific instructions to Vice-Admiral JJouglase, adds:— "Should tihe British Legation be withdrawn from Caracas, it is probable that British interests iv Venezuela would be y laced in charge of the United Stat«s Minister." '1 he Just communication is dated November 2nd. from Ijord Lausdowne to Mr Haggard- It instructs him l-egurding tho ternw of the ultimatum, which are already known.