The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-12-28
COERCION OF VENEZUELA
GERMANY WILL PROB4BLY FIRST
 ES1ABLISH BLOCKADE.

VIII Make a Great Naval iDemonstr"tion
 -Nany Warships of the Nations
 C,tbering-The United States Has
 Aooutesced in Germnny's Proposed
 Move-VenezueIa May Rcsts t-Castro
 Said to be R eady for Any Eventuaiity'
 Washington, Dec. 27.-The gathering of German warships in the vicinity or Venezuela. and the presence in the same locality of many American, Brit ish French and other foreign warshlps' is directing attention to the greatness of the naval demonstration Germany IS about to make against Venezuela. mus far the German government mas not made known the exact details oL her proposed move the official comnluul- cation to the United States being con fined to an inquiry as to the attltuoe of this government on the question ol demonstration. in view of the purpose on the part of Germany not to acquire any permanent foothold in Venezuela. The answer of this government was en- tirely satisfactory to the German au- thorities, who, since have pfeceeoeu with the execution of their plans TOT coercing Venezuela. It is said to De probably that the first move by Ger many will be the establishment or a blockade of Venezuelan ports so as to nrevent the introduction of food into Venezuela, and thus starve the be- sieged into submission.
 ;t onid 1 pendent on the outside world for its supply of corn, which Is staple among the Venezuelans. The Germans are eN- pected to occupy one or more or the | main posts of Venezuela. probably La l Guaira and Maracaibo. In this connec- tion most positive assurances nave peen 1 given to the United States government l That the occupation is to be temporary, and for such length of time as will per- init the collection of the debt que to Germany. thus disposing of the report l that there is any ulterior purpose to es- tablish a German coaling station on l Venezuelan soil.
 | On the part of Venezuela, it is said' 1 that it is officially understod that 1 President Castro has made known that he is prepared for any eventuallty. There is complete silence, however, as i to tbe defensive measures Venezuela IS adopting. but there is no indication that she is laying mines or preparing in any way to resist an occupation or La 1 C,uaira or Maracaibo, which are such open ports that they are practically de- | fenseless against such powerful arIha- ment as the Germans can bring to bear The reliance of Venezuela ap- pears to be on the practical difncdlties Germany will encounter. Venezueia herself. 1t is asserted, has no need of outside supplies, and, while corn IS much used. in an emergency there are many other cereals which can be put to use. Moreover, the natives are said to be meat eaters almost exoluslVeiy' and to have no need for corn or outside products With reference to Gerfnah occupation of one or more ports, It IS thought to be likely that Venezuela Will rely on harrassing the invaders The fresh water supply of La Guiara ana Maracaibo Is drawn from interior streams and lakes and these are ex- nected to be cut off The interior Of Venezuela is regarded as safe as 1t IS
 
 German soldiers to make headWay through the wild and uneven country against guerilla tactics.
 There appears also tp be much rer- ance on the part of venezuela m the sentiment ana sympathy which can De aroused within the United States when an European invader IS actually operat- ing on American soil and Venezuela is- sues declaration of war. Venezuela if is understood also relies largely on he fact that foreign capital is invest ed in the large Venezuelan ports ana would be the heaviest sufferers rom any destruction wrought by the Ger mans. Money from France, England Germany and the United States has built up LaGuiara, Maracaibo ana othei large places and little Venezuelan capl- tai. it is said, is at stake. A German blockade. Venezuelans declare, VIII prove quite as onerous to American
 British and other foreign shipping as if will to the international interests as Venezuela, and these shipping interests are expected to appeal to their several eoyernments There are few hopefu
 signs an both sides that at the last mo- | meut a clash may De dNoiuCu' i'N German minister to Venezuela is SUI
 at his post, and there is some hope tna'
 he may still bring about a settlement
 The outlook for cash settlement
 however. is rather meagre, since Venezuela's treasury is empty and all o1
 the Venezuelan officials are on hal1
 pav. Another possible means Of set
 clement is through the diplomatic or
 fees of a prominent Venezuelan of1cia
 now on foreign service, who has peer
 summoned by cable to return to Cara
 cas. probably for the purpose or solns on a special mission to Germany. Ih'
 presence of the North Atlantic squad ron and many other American Warshlp
 in West Indian waters is the source 70 much speculation in Germany ant Venezuela. The Berlin officers are as sured the presence of American ship has nothing to do with Germany , nlars aeainst Venezuela but at Caraca the presence of American ships in tn neighborhood is looked upon with sat , isfaction and is construed as distinctl. ! ,ir nj