The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-02
VENEZUELA In PERIL.
England Has q New Grievance,
a Righteous One.
A BRITISH VESSEL FIRED ON.
The Owner, Standing Under the
Queen's Flag, kiIIed-Nfonroe Doc
trine Can't Help Crespo Here.

New York. Nov. "A special TO the
Herald from Barbados. West Indies,
says: The dispute between Great Britain
and Venezuela viii now assume quite
new phase. The European power may
have to declare war with the South Amer
lean republic. but not for the present st
least. upon the boundary question II war
is declared and IL IL undoubtedly imrni-
nent fl Will be upon a basis 10 which the
conditions OF the Monroe doctrine viii not
apply, and Venezuela Will have TO face
the enemy. without the support OF the
United States. In previous dispatches re-
ports have been circulated that for some
weeks Venezuelan gunboats had been
cruising along the coast Of the Spanish
main and in British waters off the island
OF Trinidad. one Of the islands forming
the group OF the British Indies; that COM
plants had been lodged with the colonial
government as 10 the unwarrantaole in
reference by the Venezuelan gunboats
with British vessels trading in these wat
ers. and 10 the fact that British ships had
been fired upon, the crews narrowly es-
Gaping with life, while the sails had been
rent by the shots from the Venezuelan
cruisers.
People here have been startled, indeed.
by the announcement that a commander
named Filbert, on board d Venezuelan
coast guard, has shot down Thomas Gar
cha, owner of the British schooner Myo-
sotis. on board that vessel, while on
voyage from Port OF Spain, Trinidad, in
q most unproVoked manner. The main
facts OF the occurrence have been report
ed to the administration at Trinidad, and
a report on the same is now on its way 10
London for the information of the secre-
tary OF state for the colonies and the
cabinet.
1t is generally believed that the murder
OF Mr.. Garcia Is a grave misfortune 10
Yen f1F. rscFH fr4v he rall-
tons. as 1t win give England an undoubt-
ed advantage in dealing with Gen. Crespo
and his government. The circumstances
connected with the death Of Mr.. Garcia
are these: The Myosotls, British schoon-
er, was on a voyage from Port OF Spain,
Trinidad. to the island of Margarita. Mr..
Garcia was on board. The vessel had made
the better part of the voyage when they
observed a Venezuela guarda costa in pur-
suit of them. The gunboat appeared TO be
under fun steam, as she rapidly gained on
the sailing ship. Senehting by former ex-
periences-sor the Myosotis had on for
mer voyage been captured by Nenezue-
Ia revenue cutter-the British ensign was
run to the masthead. The guarda costa
approached and while we'll up with the
Myosotis and within close range, Com
mander Filbert opened fire on the vessel.
Mr.. Garcia. who was on Geek at the time.
was shot dead, and The others saved their
fiat upon the deck The schooner was
brought 10 and the guarda costa at
once came alongside and took the
schooner, with its dead owner and fright
ened crew on board. IN tow, and proceed
cd TO Carupano. Here the vessel was
rummaged from stem 10 stern, and as
there was no contraoand goods found on
board, the vessel was liberated.
The Myosois was seized by the Vene-
zuelans some time ago upon an alleged
breach of the revenue laws. Mr.. Garcia
decided to defend the case, and proceeded
TO Caracas for trial. The court dismissed
the action and liberated the vessel. there
not being evidence sufficient TO warrant
even the detention OF the schooner. Mr.
Garcia returned 10 Trinidad. where he re-
sided. IN time TO make the trip on the
Myosotls. which proved his last. Whether
the murder Of Mr.. Garcia was the outcome
Of revenge for the defeat OF the Venezu-
elan commander IN court Is a question
which is being eagerly discussed here.