VENEZUELA.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 234, 26 June 1908, Page 7

VENEZUELA.

SYMPTOMS OF A COMING TEMPEST. MINISTERS QUITTING. AY TELEGRAPH—MESS ASSOCIATION—COFTBIGHI.. Caracas, Juno 24. Tho United States Charge' d'Affaires (Mr. ffm. W. Russell) has left Caracas. Other nations aro having great friction with President Castro. • It is understood that France and Colombia are practically severing relations with Venezuela.

; WILL FO.RCE BE EMPLOYED? The following summary of the situation between the United States and Venezuela was telegraphed by "The Times'" Washington correspondent in April:—"Tho Venezuelan question is again embarrassing the United States Government, though to ordinary onlookers the situation is not without piquancy. President Castro is adopting'his traditional attitudo of complacent contempt towards the representations of the State Department. He appears rightly to ( realise that' it is very difficult for this country to chastise him. Thoro is littlo doubt that, como what may, tho United States cannot afford, to go to war. The country will not approve of it in the. first place, while, in the second place, it is hard to see how a war could become anything more than a blockade, at which President Castro would 'snap his fingers. . "Oh some points lie appears to have something of a ease. It is admitted that -the Be'rmudez Asphalt Company took part in the revolution, though only acting under compulsion. Again, it is not disputed that the Orinoco Steamship Company's claims have been already decided by abitration, but ■ tho United State? desires to ignore the award on the ground of unfairness. To this President Castro replies that a similar request on tho part of Salvador to,the United States was ignored. Why, therefore, should ho listen to. the demands of this Government? It would be as fair, his supporters add, for Canada torofuso to abide by tho Alaskan boundary decision, which was distasteful to her."

In later dispatches, despite signs of increasing firmness in AVashington, the correspondent still adheres to tho opinion that Castro will not bo punished. War made oh Venezuela "on behalf of two trusts" would be'unpopular with tho American people. It is true that tentative offensive plans have beon drawn np in the United States, but they are only such as it is "the duty of the War and Navy departments to prepare against Venezuela, as well as against more formidable powers."