The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-12-28
GERMANY'S PLANS
TO MAKE NAVAL DEMONSTRATION
AGAINST VENEZUELA.
WILL BLOCKADE THE PORTS.
AN UNDERSTANDING WITH THE
UNITED STATES.

Germany Will Not Seek to Acquire
occupy the Main Ports and Starve
the venezueIans Into Submission.
Venezuela Is silent But Castro Is
Defiant-WouId Require Immense
Army to Invade Her Territory.
Presence of Our warships Is Sig
nificant.
Washington, Dec. 27.-The gathering
of German warships in the vicinity of
Venezuela, and the presence in the
same locality of many American, Brit
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
eminent has not made known the ex-
act details of her proposed
move, the official communications
to the United States being confined to
an inquiry as to the attitude of this
government on the question of a DEM
onstration in view of the purpose on
the part of Germany not to acquire
any permanent foothold in Venezuela.
The answer of this government was
entirely satisfactory to the German au-
thorities, who have since proceeded
with the execution of their plans for
coercing Venezuela. 1t is said to be
probable that the first move by Ger
many will be the establishment of a
hIoolroda of Uaoazuayop rorfS ca nc RI
prevent the introduction of food pro-
ducts into Venezuela and thus starve
the besieged into submission. The Ger
mans are expected to occupy one or
more of the main ports of Venezuela,
probably Laguira and Maracaibo. In
this connection most positive as
surances have been given to the United
States government that this occupa-
ton is to be temporary.
On the part of Venezuela, 1t is semi
officially understood that President
Castro has made known that he is
prepared for any eventuality. There is
complete silence, however, as to the
defensive measures Venezuela is adopt
ing, but there is no indication that
she is laying mines or preparing in any
way. to resist occupation of Laguira or
Aaaracafbo. 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. The interior of Vene-
zuela is regarded as safe, as it is said
1t would take at least 200, 900 German
soldiers to make Roadway through the
wild and uneven country against guer-
rilla tactics.
Rely on Our sympathy.
There appears also to be much re-
lance on the part of Venezuela in the
sentiment and sympathy which can be
aroused within the United States when
an European invader is actually oper-
atlng on American soil and Venezuela
issues a declaration of war; Vene-
zuela, it is understood, also relies on
the fact that foreign capital is in
vested in the large Venezuelan ports
and would be the heaviest sufferer
from any destruction wrought by the
Germans.
There are a few hopeful signs on both
sides that at the last moment a clash
may be averted. The German minister
TO Venezuela is still at his post, and
there is some hope that he may still
bring about a settlement
The presence of the North Atlantic
Squadron and many other American
warships in West Indian waters is the
source of much speculation in Germany
and Venezuela. Berlin officials are as
sured the presence of American ships
has nothing to do with Germans plans
against Venezuela, but at Caracas the
present of American ships in the
neighborhood is construed as distinctly
significant.