The age-herald., 1901-12-28
Germany About to Make StrOng Demonstration to Garry
 Her Point
WILL BEGIN BLOCKADE
 AND STARVE BESIEGED
On the Part of Venezuela It Is Said That President Castro Is Prepared for Any EventuaIlty-Many
 Warships Have Arrived.

Washington, December 1.-The gath ering of German warships in the vicinity of Venezuela and the presence in the same locality of many American, British. French and other foreign warships is di- recting attention to the imminence of the naval demonstration Germany Is about to make against Venezuela It Is said to be probable that the first move by Germany will be the establishment of a blockade of venezeuian ports so as to prevent the introduction of food products into Ven ezeula and thus starve the besieged into submission.
 Venezuela. 1t is said Is entirely depen- dent on the outside world for Its supply of corn, which is a staple among the venezeulans. The Germans are expected to occupy one or more of the main ports of Venezuela, probably La Guayra. and Maraicabo. In this connection most posi- tive assurances have been given to the United States government that the oc- cupation Is to be temporary, and only for such length of time as will permit the collection of the debt due to Germans thus disposing of the report that there Is any ulterior purpose to establish @ German coaling station on Venezuelan soil.
 Castro Is Prepared. On the part of Venezuela it Is semi officially understood that President Cas- tro has made known that he is prepared for any -aeventuality. The reliance of Venezuela appears to be on the practical difficulties Germany will encounter. Ven ezueia, 1t Is asserted has no need of out side supplies, and while corn in 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 exclusively. and have no need for corn and outside products It Is not likely that Venezuela will harass the invaders. The fresh water supply of La Guayra and Maraicabo 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 that 1t would take at least 20O,OO0 German soldiers to make headway through the wild and uneven country against guerrilla tactics
 There appears also to be much relianca on the part of Venezuela in the senti- ment and sympathy which can be aroused within the United States when an invader is actually operating on Amer ican sofl and Venezuela issues a declara- ton of war. Venezuela, it is underst ood. also relies largely on the fact that for elBH Cftpltdl lS lIlNebteQ III the ldfBd Venezuelan ports and would be the heaviest sufferers from any destruction wrought by the Germans.
 Little Capital at Stake. 2
 Money from France, England Germany and the United States has built up La Guayra, Maricabo, and the other large places and little Venezuelan capital, 1t is said, is at stake. A German blockade, Venezuelans declare. will prove Quite as onerous to American, British and other foreign shipping as it will to the internal interests of Venezuela and these shipping interests are expected to appeal to their several governments. There are a few hopeful signs on both sides that at the last moment a clash may be avertsd. 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 assured the presence of American ships has nothing to do with Germany's plans against vene. | zuela, but at Caracas the presence of American ships in the neighborhood is looked upon with satisfaction and is con. strued as distinctly significant.
 German Cruiser Arrives.
 Caracas, Venezuela, December 27-tvia Galveston. 1.-The German cruiser Vineta anchored off La Guayra today.
 When the Venezuelan health officer went along side the Vineta at o'clock in the morning. he was not allowed to board her
 The Venezuelan officials immediately interpreted the action of the German of- ficers to mean that the cruiser had visit ed La Guayra on war-like business in connection with the claims of German citizens. But at o'clock German of- ficer called on the authorities and ex- plained that the refusal to allow the health officer to board the vineta was due to the fact that he went along side the crusier at too early an hour.