The San Francisco call., 1901-12-17
NOW READY
To GEORGE
VENEZUELA
Germany Forcibly to
Collect Just Claims
Of Subjects.
United States Will Not OBJ
ject to the Seizure of
a Port.
President Castro Continues to Make
Threats and May Even GO So
Far as to Declare
War.
Special Dispatch to rhs can.

CALL BUREAU, 1905 G STREET, n.
w. WASHINGTON. Dec. 1s-Germany
has officially informed the United States
Of her purpose to compel Venezuela to
pay the just claims Of German subjects.
This announcement, made by Baron
Won HoIeben, the German ambassador,
has been coupled with definite and posi-
tive assurances that Germany has no in
tention Of permanently occupying the
Venezuelan port. which IT may prove
necessary for her to seize. Secretary
Hay has communicated these assurances
TO the President.
There is reason to believe that IN re-
turn for the courtesy shown by Ger
many, the United States has made an ex-
plicit statement Of its position
America Not to Interfere.
The German Embassador understands
that this Government does not propose
70 interfere with any punitive measures
which European government may find
It necessary to enforce against an Amer
Scan republic. Intervention will occur
when a European nation seizes territory
without just cause and attempts to hold it
permanently Furthermore. Germany is
aware that in sending so many warships
TO the Caribbean Sea the United States
IS not actuated by any wish to keep close
watch on her doings. The ships are sent
70 West Indian waters for the purpose
Of engaging in drill. No objection would
be raised by Germany if the United States
were 10 order q warship to the port
which she contemplated seizing, for she
understands that American interests re-
ouire protection.
Moreover, Germany feels that she has
nothing 70 conceal 1t is her intention
to act well within the law Of nations and
custom. She will make a naval demon
stration in Venezuelan waters. and if this
does not produce the desired effect, then
the seizure Of port-which one cannot
be learned-will follow. The port will
probably be La Guayra-
Castro May Declare War.
President Castro has asserted that he
will declare any port seized a free port.
international lawyers here say that this
will not embarrass Germany. She will
merely direct the application of a tariff
which viii be equivalent to the Vene-
zuelan tariff, and the duties collected un-
der II will be used to defray the bill of
damages which she holds against Vene-
zuela- The United States would natur-
ally prefer that Venezuela should pay
claims she owes and thus prevent forci-
bic action by Germany.
President Castro understands the atti-
tude Of the United States in this respect,
but his obstinscy has thus far caused him
TO refuse TO make admissions.
It may be that Castro will declare war
against Germany-a declaration which
would be deprecated by the United States
because Of the license it would give to
European power But even in case of
war, # is stated that the policy Of the
United States against German occupancy
Of Venezuelan territory as indemnity for
lie expense to which the Berlin Govern
r4aent would be put would be upheld by
the President. and Germany fully under
stands Roosevelt's attitude in this respect.