There can, in truth, be no serious fighting in Venezuela;
but that fact hardly diminishes the embarrassment of the Allies. Apart altogether from the dangers inherent in the diplomatic situation, on which we have dwelt elsewhere, President Castro can if he pleases, and if his people will support him, protract the quarrel almost indefinitely. He can by suspending all payments dispense with import-duties, and the blockade injures traders rather than the Government. Spanish. American States are not powerful for offence, but except when the capital stands on the coast, they are almost inaccessible to foreign attack, except by a large army. The people have plenty of food, clothing, and lodging, and care little for anything more. They can retreat into the interior with comparative ease, and the area of their States is so vast and cultivation so scattered that even an army could not follow them without enormous expenditure upon supplies, transport, and the protection of communications.
