Page:Pacific Monthly volumes 9 and 10.djvu/79



GENSRAI. SURVCY-

The difficulty be- tween Venezuela and the allied pow- ers — Great Britain and Germany, and later, Italy — had its rise in certain old claims and recent losses suffered by citizens of the two nations residing and doing business in Venezuela dur- ing the late revolution. Although the truth of the matter is entangled in the contradictory assertions of both par- ties, it appears that the powers made repeated demands upon Castro, repre- senting Venezuela, for the settlement of these claims. The total neglect of these demands led to the presentation of ultimata with time limit clauses. At the same time the German and British legations were closed, thus severing diplomatic relations. Soon after, a fleet of warships flying the colors of the al- lied powers entered the harbor of La Guayra and captured and sunk the Venezuelan gunboats lying there. This overt act excited the Venezuelans to a high pitch of patriotism. Infuriated mobs attacked the German consulate, and finally the arrest of all German and English residents was ordered. Mr. Bowen, minister from the United States, secured the release of some of the more prominent among the arrests, earning for himself the thanks of the two nations.

The seriousness of the situation com- pelled President Castro to act, which he did, requesting that the difficulties be submitted to arbitration. Hostilities continued, however, and the action of the hauling down of the British flag from its position over the custom house was punished by the bombardment and demolition of the fort of Puerto Cabello by two cruisers of the allied powers. In answer to Castro's request, the pow- ers presented notes requesting that President Roosevelt arbitrate the mat-

ter. His official reply has not yet been enunciated, but it is stated that while the President is prepared to fulfill his duty in the matter, he would prefer that the arbitration be referred to the Hague as the proper tribunal.

The next move was the blockade of Venezuelan ports by the allies. Castro, realizing at last the hazardous position of his country, empowered Minister Bowen to act for Venezuela in securing a peaceful settlement. Arbitration by the Hague tribunal is the probable out- come.

Protfr«ss of tH* Coml ComiAission

The answer of the operators to Mr. Mitchell's statement of the demands of the miners (see Dec. Month) has been filed with the commission. It consists of a gen- eral denial of all the charges preferred. The wage received by the anthracite miners is, it is affirmed, a living wage, and the anthracite regions, dependent upon the mining industry, are among the most prosperous in the United States. They assert that a reduction of 20 per cent, in hours of labor would render it impossible to produce coal with any profit, and would throw into confusion the whole system of mine working. Moreover, miners under pres- ent conditions rarely average 8 hours a day, and the demand is unjust and im- practicable.

In addition, they maintain that an in- crease in wages would of necessity compel an increase in the price of coal, thus restricting its use and reacting by lessening the output.

Regarding: the recognition of the union, they state that when a labor organization is created which shall obey the laws of the land and honestlv co- operate with the employers in seeking the best interests of all concerned, trade agreements may become practi- cable, f^ T