The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-28
KAISER'S BIG BLUFF
VENEZUELA is coERCED INTO PAY
ING GERMANS
CLAIMS
FLEET OF wARsHIPs GATHERS
United States Said to Have Promised
to Keep Out of the Muss-
Food Supplies to BE
Shut Of

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.-The gather
ing of German warships in the vicinity.
of Venezuela and the presence in the
same locality of many American, Brit
ish, French and other foreign warships
is directing attention to the imlninence
of the naval demonstration Germany is
about to make against Venezuela. rhus
far the German government has not
made known the exact details of her
proposed move, the official communica-
lions to the United States being con-
fined to an inquiry and to the attitude
of this government on the question of
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 entire
ly satisfactory to the German authorl-
ties, who since have proceeded with the
execution of their plans for eoercing
Venezuela.
1t is said to be probable that the first
move by Germany will be the establish
ment of blockade of Venezuelan ports
so as to prevent the introduction of food
products into Venezuela, and thus starve
the besieged into submission. Venezuela,
it is said, is entirely dependent on the
outside world for its supply of corn.
Which is a staple among the VeneZuelans.
The Germans are expected to occupy one
or more of the main ports of Venezuela,
probably La Guayra and Maracaibo IN
this connection most positive assur-
ances have been given to the United
States government that the occupation
is to be temporary, and only for sucn
length of time as will permit the COL
lection of the debt due to Germans, thus
dlsposing of the report that there is any
Interior purpose to establish German
coal1ng station in Venezuelan son.
On the part of Venezuela 1t Is semi
officially understood that President Cas-
tro has made known that he is preparing
for any eventuality. There is complete
silence, however, as to the defensive
measures Venezuela is adopting. but
there is no Indication that it is laying
mines or preparing in any way to resist
an occupation of La Guayra or Maraca1,
DO, which are such open ports that they
are practically defenseless against such
powerful armament as the Germans can
bring to bear. The reliance of Venezuela
appears to be on the practical difficulties
germany will encounter. Venezuela, il
is asserted, has no need of outside SUP
plies, and while corn is much used. in
an emergency there are many other
cereals which can be put to USE More,
over, the natives are said to be mea.
eaters almost exclusively, and to have
no need for corn or outside products.
Not Wholly DefenseIess,
With reference to German occupation
of one or two ports it is thought to be
likely that Venezuela will rely on har-
RAISING the invaders. The fresh water
supply of La Guyara and Maracaibo is
drawn from interior streams and lakes,
and these are expected to be cut off
The interior Of Venezuela is regarded as
safe, as 1t is said it would take at least
100000 German soldiers to make Roadway
thn mil
against guerilla tactics
There appears also to be much reliance
on the part of Venezuela in the senti-
ment and sympathy which can be arous-
ed within the United States when Eu-
ropean invader is actually operating on
American soil, and Venezuela issues a
declaration of war. Venezuela, 1t is I'M
derstood, relies largely on the fact that
foreign capital is invested in the large
Venezuelan ports, and would be the
heaviest sufferer from any destruction
wrought by the Germans. Money from
France, England, Germany and the Unit
ed States has built up La Guyara, Mara
caibo and the other large places, and
little Venezuelan capital, It Is said, is
at stake. A German blockade Venezu-
clans declare, will prove quite as onerous
to Americans British and other foreign
shipping as 1t will to the internal inter
ests of Venezuela, and these shipping In
i terests are expected to appeal to their
several governments
The presence Of the North Atlantic
squadron and many other American war
| ships in West Indian waters is the source
of much speculation in Germany and
Venezuela. The Berlin officials are as
sured the presence of American ships has
nothing to do with Germany's plans
| against Venezuela, but at Caracas the
presence of American ships in the neigh
borhood is looked upon with satisfaction
/ and Is construed as distinctly significant.