NEWS OF THE WEEK.
ANOTHER week has passed without any solution of the Venezuelan trouble being arrived at, and it is difficult to say from the confused telegrams sent from Washington, which vary from day to day, whether any real progress is being made. It is impossible, however, not to note that the keeping open of the question as long as possible, and the increase of the irritation in America, and also among the rest of the European Powers, act in favour of Germany, and are injurious to us, and we may therefore feel certain that, beg and pray for a merciful interpretation of the bond with Germany as we may, the astute diplomat.sts at Berlin will not loosen the chain till they have obtained the maximum of benefit from our co-operation. They know that at the moment it is only Germany who has incurred suspicion and caused serious irritation in America. . Ger- many will therefore not be anxious to let us off as long as there is a chance of her forcing us to incur an equal amount of odium. Again, Germany would like, as much as we should dislike, to see Britain and Germany grouped in diplomatic antagonism to America and France, or rather to America and the Dual Alliance. That is an arrangement on the international chessboard which she has long schemed to secure. But, after all, we have no right to complain of Germany thus exploiting the diplomatic situation for all it is worth. It was only natural for her to do so. The blame rests with those who so gratuitously gave her the opportunity to parade us through the world tied to her car.
