The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, DECEMBER 13, 1903. FIGHTABLE VENEZUELA.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 694, 13 December 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, DECEMBER 13, 1903. FIGHTABLE VENEZUELA.

The heart of the British people is not, likely to he with the nation in the action taken to bring the pugnacious iVenezuelans to reason. The on!v consolation is Unit the tight is not likely to last long. .The dignified term treaty rights is used to justify the action taken, but it will Lake a great deal more in the way of explanation Ur convince observant people that the work of the British and German gunboats is not simply to act as debt-collectors ten: capitalists who have lent money, to the violent little Republic. When a sound British community like Gisborne wants to borrow money for municipal works at a fair rate of interest, it, is round the money is not obtainable unless a higher rate is gi'ven., .Yet apparently these Republics lluit never seem happy, unless .they arc in the throes of a revolution, can get money as they want it, and give cheek when asked to pay up. A high rate of interest perhaps is" asked in such eases, hut if the British taxpayer generally lias to pay for the cost of the powder and shot necessary to enforce payment of the principal, it hardly seems a remunerative class of investment, excepting it is assumed that the nation generally and not the actual lender lias to be ;l r the cost of such .summary collection. As far as .Venezuela is concerned there, is not much scope for the sentimentalist. It would he better for the world generally perhaps if some of these riotous- little states were placed under the control, of a, strong hand that would protect them from themselves, and it is better that it should he done decisi - vely Su'd promptly than in a lingering fashion. The prseut movement would not lead to .Venezuela being wiped out. The main value of the lesson is to teacli her to he respectful to those from whom she lias sought financial, assistance. The part of the Bowers will not lie a popular one, and many who do not sympathise with Don Castro and his advisers, will yet admire them for their pluck, foolish though it he. It m',usi take a little courage to defy the formidable odds when confronted tiy two- such Bowers as Great Britain and Germany ; even the masterful Czar would quail at tiie thought. And at l-he same time Don Castro has an internal enemy to deal with. The revolutionists have gained new energy, and are-prepared to shed blood to try and gain that power which is bringing so much trouble to t|(ose who are in possession of tiie empty Treasury. As we have stated, tiie heart of the British people will not he in this fight-, but all will wish -it to be soon done with.