Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 January 1902 — AMERICAN CLAIMS ON VENEZUELA [ARTICLE]

AMERICAN CLAIMS ON VENEZUELA

The President Is Urged to Take Action to Enforce a Settlement. CLAIMANTS WANT COERCION. The Government, However, Will Make No Hove at Prevent—Nothing to Be Hone Until the Xaeurroctlon Against Castro Is Koded. Washington dispatch: The Republic of Venezuela, beset by internal dissension and daily expecting foreign complications through Germany’s purpose to make her pay -obligations to CjCrman subjects, is in danger of -new troubles, which must tend to subdue even the bold and defiant spirit of President Castro. Germany’s announcement of her intention to make Venezuela pay up has had the effect of bringing other creditors to the point of importuning their governments to- follow the example of the Kaisers ministers. There are a host of people in France and the United .states who had vainly endeavored to secure a settlement of their pecuniary claims against the Venezuelan government. and these have now begun to renew their efforts to bring Castro to terms. Since the publication, of the statements of Germany’s plans of compelling Castro to satisfy his German creditors many Americans who have had unfortunate experiences in their dealings with Venezuela have written to the President and the State Department urging that the example of Germany be followed. Their letters have been emphatic on this point. The writers want the President to take immediate action and to back up demands for the payment of the American claims with a squadron of warships. There is no disposition on the part of the authorities here, however to make any move in this direction until conditions in Venezuela have changed. Germany’s forbearance in deferring action toward the collection of her debts until Venezuela's Internal troubles have passed away Is regarded by this government as a display of proper spirit, and it Is safe to say that even should the State Department decide to go to extremes In pressing the claims of American citizens nothing will be done in that direction until after the insurrection has ended. It may be predicted also that even after that the United States will not move until Germany has carried out her plans for bringing Castro to terms. Meanwhile the American claims may be brought to the attention of the Venezuelan government through the ordinary diplomatic channels.