The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-12-28
MUST HAVE MONEY.
Germany Sends Number of War
ships Over TO Venezuela.
BLOCKADE OF THE PORTS
To Prevent The Introduction of Any
FOodstuffs.
IA CAMPAIGN OF STARVATION.
Object Is to Force the Payment Of the
Debt Due Germany.
NORTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON is THERE
Hopeful Signs that at the Last Moment
Terms May Be Arranged and
the Clash Averted.

Washington, December 27.--The gather
ing Of German warships in the visinity OF
Venezuela, and the presence in the same
locality of many American, British, French
and other foreign warships, is directing at
tention to the imminence of the naval DEM
onstration Germany is about to make
against Venezuela. 1t is said to be prob
| able that the first move by Germany will
be the establishment of a blockade OF
Venezuelan ports so as TO prevent the In
PRODUCTION of food products into Venezuela
and thus starve the besieged into submis-
sion. Venezuela 1t is said, is entirely de.
pendent on the outside world for its sup
ply of corn, which is a staple among the
Nenezuelnns. The Germans are expected
TO occupy one or more Of the main ports
of Venezuela, probably la Guayara and
Maracaiho. In this connection most pos
tive assurances have been given to tho
United States government that the occupa-
ton is to be temporary and only for such
length of time as win permit the collcc-
tlon of the debt due to the Germans. thus
disposing of the report that there Is any
Interior purpose TO establish German
coallng station on Venezuelan soil.
on the part of Venezuela It is semi szas
tclaly understood that President Castro
nus ludue KNOWN ludL ne Is prepared lot
amy eventualty. The reliance Of venezue't
appears TO be on the practical difficulties
Germany will encounter. Venezuela 1t IL
asserted, has no need OF outside supplies,
and while corn is much used, in an emerg-
ency there are many other cereals which
can be put to use. Moreover, the natives
are said to be meat eaters almost exclusive
ly and have no need for corn or outside
nroduCfs With tn
patton of one or more ports, 1t is thought
TO be likely that Venezuela will rely on
harasslng the invaders. The fresh water
supply OF In Guayara and Maracaibo Is
| drawn from Interior streams and lakes and
these are expected TO be cut OF The in-
, terlor Of Venezuela is regarded as safe. "a
1t Is said that II would take at least 200
600 German soldiers to make Roadway
through the wild country against guerrilla
tactics. There appears also TO be much re.
lance 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 OH American soil and
Venezuela issues declaration of war.
Venezuela, It Is understood, also relies
largely on the fact that foreign capital s
Invested In the large Venezuelan ports and
would be the heaviest sufferers from any
destruction wrought by the Germans Money
from France. England, Germany and ting
United States has built up La Guayarax
Maracaibo and the other large places and
little Venezuelan capital 1t is said, is al
stake. A German blockade, VenezuelanS
declare, viii prove quite as onerous to
American, British and other foreign ships
ping as 1t win to the internal interests II
Venezuela and these shipping intspsts arg
expected to appeal to their several gov.
ernments
There are a few hopeful signs on both
sides that at the last moment CLASH may
be ayerted. The presence OF the North At
lantlc squadron and many other American
warships 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 Germauy's plans against yene-
zuela, but at Caracas the presence oc
American ships In the neighborhood Ia
looked upon with satisfaction and is con-
suued as distinctly significant
GOT THERE TOO EARLY
Caracas, Venezuela. December 2T.-Iha
German cruiser vineta anchored OF La
Guayara today When the Venezuelan
health officer went alongside the Vineta at
9 O'Clock in the morning he was not al
| lowed to board her. The Venezuelan Of
hoials Immediately Interpreted the action
Of the German officers to mean that the
cruiser had visited La Guayara on warlike
business in connection with the claims OF
! German citizens But at s o'clock Ger
man officer called on the authorities and