THE VENEZUELAN IMBROGLIO.
[To THY EDITOR OF TEE "SPECTATOR."] Sint—From the statements in Parliament and the published papers it is clear that England and Germany are in complete accord in the Venezuelan affair. It appears that each party to the agreement is pledged to accept payment of the same sum "on account" as a preliminary to a peaceful discussion of the items of the separate claims. Such an agreement would imply that our Foreign Office has satisfied itself that the English and German claims rest in the main on the same equitable basis. Is this so ? Definite information is lacking. But as one who has recently come from Caracas, I may be
permitted to say that local opinion is not at all in accord with this view. It is considered that while the English claims (so far as they are known) have been put in on a fair and reason- able basis, the German claims (so far as they are known), par- ticularly in respect of what is called the German railway, are such that they would be very considerably cut down in arbi- tration. If this view is correct—and we have from the Government no suggestion that the matter has even been con- sidered—our close alliance with Germany is not likely to do the English claimants much good.—I am, Sir, &c., H. F.
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