The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1901-01-18
THE VENEZUELAN BROIL
United States Gunboat Hurried
to Guam co.
THREE BATTLESHIPS HELD READY
Unofficial Advices Received In
Washington Indicate That Asphalt
Trouble Is standardization of the
Orinoco Trading Company.


Washington Indicate That AsphnIt
Trouble Is standardization of the
OrinOco Trading Company.
Washington. JAN 17.-Force will be
employed by the United States if neces
sary to prevent illegal expulsion of The
New York and Bermudez company from
its asphalt concessions in Venezuela. The
north Atlantic squadron is held in readi
ness to proceed to Venezuelan waters.
Officials of the administration do moi
conceal their concern over the situation
Unofficial though reliable advices were
received here yesterday announcing that
the revolution is increasing at Guanuco
and the government is preparing to get
possession of the arms of the New York
and Bermudez company.
This information was the cause of :
conference yesterday afternoon between
Assistant Secretary of State II Il anc
Commander Cowlcs, acting chief of the
bureau of navigation. As a result of the
conference the Scorpion was ordered t.
leave La Guayra and proceed at once tC
Guanoco, which is believed to be on the
OrinocO river.
Decisive Measures Are Ordered.
Lieutenant Commander Sargent. com
handing the Scorpion, has been directed
to protect American interests, to lane
men if the situation requires such action
but to avoid bloodshed if possible.
Minister LOOMS will be apprised OF
these instructions and will communicate
them to the Venezuelan government He
was instructed yesterday afternoon tC
l 4 -
to the Orinoco Shipping and Trading
company of the two steamers impressed
by the Venezuelan government Tuesday
for operations against the revolutionists.
From the information received it is be
lieved by the authorities that the vessels
are to be used in the proceedings against
the New York and Bermudez company.
Mr.. Pulido, the Venezuelan charge
d'affaires, deeply regrets that the incident
has reached the stage of seriousness the
newspapers report.
81 have heard nothing on the subject
from my government" he said. "W'ith
regard to the impressment of the twc
steamers, l may say that they fly the
Venezuelan flag. and, as the Unitec
States did during the war with Spain
the government took possession of them
because an emergency required such &C
ton"
BattIeships May BE Sent.
The emphatic statement is made that
the United States cannot afford to permit
its citizens to be deprived of their prop
erty and rights without due process OF
law, and if the New York and Bermude5
company is ousted from its concession
Notwithstanding the assistance which the
Scorpion will lend reparation will be ex
acted
The authorities are hopeful that the de
terEIined attitude which has been assum
ed will bring the Venezuelan government:
to its senses and prevent trouble.
The battleships Kearsarge and Massa.
chusetts are at Pensacola. They will be
joined in a few days by the battlesh'I
Alabama, which is held at Tompkinsv liz
pending repairs to piston rod which
bent during her recent inspection. The
first two battleships csn reach La Quay
I'd in five days at the utmost and even il
there be no conflict it may be deemed ad
visable to order them to Venezuelan wa.
terS