There is little new to be said in regard to
the Venezuelan question. We presume that negotiations are proceeding between the four Powers concerned, but nothing definite has been allowed to get in the Press. Meantime, and in default of anything else to write about in connection with the question, the papers, especially in America, have been busy with a foolish statement that the British Government had joined with Germany in an attack on the Monroe doctrine which is alleged to have been made by Lord Charles Beresford. We can hardly believe that the gallant Admiral made any statement so ridiculous and so palpably contrary to facts, but even if he did, we cannot say that it greatly matters. Lord Charles is not the mouthpiece of the British Govern- ment, and still less of the British nation, and what he pro- fesses to know on this subject is certainly not knowledge.
