Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-28
LOOKED LIKE WAR
Down at La Guayra, Where a Ven-
ezuelan Quarantine Boat
Was Snubbed.
GERMANS EXPLAIN THINGS LATER
Try to Collect a Bad
Debt of Castro.

Caracas, Venezuela, Dec. 2S.-The
German cruiser Vineta anchored off
La Guayra Yesterday. An interesting
incident occurred early in the day.
When the Venezuelan health officer
went alongside the Vineta at q a. m.
he was not allowed to board her. The
Venezuelan officials Immediately inter
preted the action of the German Off
GERS to mean that the cruiser had Wis
tied La Guayra on warlike business, in
connection with the claims of German
citizens. But at n. III. Il German Off
Ger called on the authorities and eX-
planned that the refusal 10 allow the
health officer to board the Nineta was
due to the fact that he vent alongside
the cruiser ut 100 early an hour.
Naval Demonstration Imminent.
Washington. Dee. 2S.-The gathering
of German warships in the vicinity of
Venezuela and the presence in the
same locality of many American, Brit
ish. French and other foreign war
ships is directing attention to the i'm
minence of the naval demonstration
Germany is about TO make against
Venezuela. Thus far the German gov
ernment has not made known the eX-
act details of her proposed move. the
States being confined to an inquiry as
to the attitude Of this government on
the question of Il demonstration. in
view of the purpose on the part of
Germany not to acquire any perma-
nent fOothold in Venezuela. The an
swer of this government was entirely
satisfactory to the German authorities,
who since have proceeded with the eX-
ecution OF their plans for coercing
Venezuela.
Will Probably Blockade First.
1t is said to be probable that the
first move by Germany Will be the es-
tablishment of a blockade of Nene-
Zuelan ports, so as to prevent the intro
duction of food products into NeneZue-
In, 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 Il staple
among the Nenezuelans. The Ger
mans are expected TO occupy one or
more OF the main ports of Venezuela,
prOabbly La Guayra and Maracaibo.
VENEZUELA INCLINED To DEFIANCE
Thinks She Can Look for Help tn the Unit
ed states in Pinch.
On the part of Venezuela it is seml-
officially understood that President
Castro has made known that he is pre-
pared for any eventuality. There is
complete silence as to the defensive
measures Venezuela is adopting, but
there is no Indication that she is lay
ing mines or preparing in any way TO
resist an occupation of La Guayra or
Maracaibo, 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, it is asserted
has no need of outside supplies. and
while corn is much used. in an emeT-
gency there are many other cereals
which can be put to use.
With reference to German occupa-
tion of one or more ports ii is thought
TO be likely that Venezuela will rely on
harassing the invaders. The fresh
water supply of La Guayra and Mara
caibo is drawn from interior > cams
and lakes. and these are expected to
be cut off. The interior of Venezuela
is regarded as safe, as it is said that
it would take at least 100000 German
soldiers to make headway through the
wild and uneven country against guer
rilla tactics.
There appears also to be much reli !
ance on the part of Venezuela in the |
sentiment and sympathy which can be |
aroused within the United States when !