New-York tribune., 1901-12-28
COERCION OF VENEZUELA
GERMANY ABOUT TO MAKE A
NAVAL DEMONSTRATIONS.
SATISFACTORY ASSURANCES GIVEN TO
THE UNITED STATES-VENEAUEL
PLANS FOR DEFENCE.


Washington. Dec. 27-The gathering of Ger
warships near Venezuela ana the presence
in the same waters of many American. British
r-rorob ord o,ber foreign naval vessels di-
rec+ine attention to the immnence of the naval
DEMONSTRATION Germany is about to make
against Venezuela. Thus far the German Gov
ernnoent has not made known the exact details
Of ;+e rronosed move the official communica-
,iorr m the United States being confined to an
so,,,r-v as to the attitude OF this government on
,be ouestfon of demonstration III view OF the
purpose on the part of Germany not TO acquire
any permanent foothold in Venezuela. The an
swer Of this government was entirely satisfac-
tory to the German authorities. who have pro-
ceeded with the execution of their plans for CO.
ercing Venezuela. 1t is said to be probable that
the first move by Germany will be the establish
Tnent Of a blockade Of Venezuelan ports as
10 prevent the introduction of food. and thus
starve the beseged into submission. Venezuela,
it is said. is entirely dependent on the outside
world for its supply of corn, which is a staple
among the people. The Germans expected
to occupy more of the principal ports of
Venezuela, probably La Guayra and Maracaibo
Most positive assurances have been given TO the
United States Government that the occupation
is 10 he temporary, and only for such length of
time as will permit the collection OF the debt due
TO Germans. thus dsposng of the report that
there is any purpose to establish German
ooaling station on Venezuelan soil.
CAsTRO'S DEFENSIVE MEASURES.
On the part of Venezuela it is semi-officially
understood that President Castro has declared
that he is prepared for any eventuality. There
IS complete silence, however. as TO the defensive
measures Venezuela is adopting, but there is no
indication that she is laying mines preparing
in any way to resist an occupation of La Guayra
Maracaibo. which such open ports that
they practically defenceless against sush
powerful force the Germans bring TO bear.
The reliance of Venezuela appears 10 be on the
practical difficulties Germany will encounter.
Venezuela, it is asserted. has no need of outside
supplies, and, while is much used, in an
emergency there are many other cereals which
can he put TO use. Moreover. the natives
said 10 be meat eaters almost exclusively. and
10 have no need for corn or outside products.
With reference TO German occupation of one
more ports. it is thought TO be likely that Ven
ezuela will rely on harassing the invaders The
fresh water supply of La Guayra and Maracaibo
is drawn from interior streams and lakes, and
these are expected to be cut off. The interior of
Venezuela is regarded safe. It is said that
it would take at least 100000 German soldiers
70 make headway through the wild and uneven
country against guerilla tactics.
WHAT VENEZUELA RELIES ON.
Venezuela also appears TO rely on the senti-
nent and sympathy which can be aroused with
fl the United States when European force is
actually operating American soil and Venez-
uela issues a declaration of war. Venezuela, IT
is understood, also relies largely the fact that
foreign capital is invested IN the large ports and
would be the heaviest sufferer from any de-
struction wrought by the Germans Money from
France, England, Germany and the United
States has built up La Guayra. Maracabo and
the other large places. and little Venezuelan
capital it is said is at stake A German block
ade, Venezuelans declare, will prove quite as
onerous TO American British and other foreign
shipping it will to the internal interests of
Venezuela and these shipping interests are ex-
pected 70 appeal 10 their governments.
There are few hopeful signs on both sides
that az the last moment a clash may be averted
The German Minister to Venezuela is still at his
post, and there is some hope that he may bring
about settlement. The outlook for cash
settlement, however, is rather meagre, since Ven
ezuea's treasury is empty and all the officials
are on half pay Another possible means of set
tlemcnt is through the diplomatic Offices of a
prominent Venezuelan official now foreign
service, who has been summoned by cable TO re-
turn TO Caracas, probably for the purpose of
going on a special mission to Germany.
MISSION OF AMERICAN SQUADRON
The presence of the North Atlantic Squadron
and other American warships in West Indian
Germany and Venezuela. The Berlin officials
have been assured that the presence of Ameri-
can ships has nothing to do with Germany's
plans against Venezuela, but at Caracas the
presence of American ships in the neighborhood
is regarded with satisfaction and is construed
significant.
The North Atlantic Squadron, consisting of
the battleships Kearsarge, Massachusetts, and
Alabama, with the collier Hannibal, has arrived
al Culebra Island the newly selected naval sta
ton. east of Porto Rico and near St Thomas
While this place is much nearer the Venezuelan
coast than Havana, from which point the squad
ron has Just arrived at Culebra, 1t is stated that
me squadron's business IS only to carry out GER
tain manpuvres planned by the general naval
board The harbor of San Juan is not accessible
10 these warships, with their deep draught and
IL is the purpose of the Navy Department to de-
veiop the possibilities of Culebra Island as
naval base. for which il is believed to be ad-
rnirably suited
GERMAN CRUISER AT LA GUAYRA
7.