Evening journal., 1902-11-29
ADMIRAL DEWEY
IN VENEZUELA
Will Be on Hand When the
Powers Seize Customs of
the Republic
CRISIS IS EXPECTED AT ANY TIME

Germany and Great Britain May Force
United States to Act Under Monroe
Doctrine-Important Developments
In London.
Washington, Nov. 29.-Vigorous ac-
tion by Germany and England against
( Venezuela is expected soon. Germany
T will have seven powerful warships in
I Venezuelan waters within few days.
! -Four arc already there. or within strik-
ing distance, and three others are
; under orders. Commodore Soheder
the ranking officer, viii then have at
his command q landing force of nearly
1000 men. England has two strong
: cruisers, the Phact0n and Fantome,
now in Venezuelan waters. and it is
probable that this force will be in
creased in the near future. The Char
ybdis sailed from Halifax last night
under hurry orders. and her destina-
tion is believed to be La Guayra.
Working jointly, it is reported that
Germany and England propse 20 seize
the customs houses in Venezuela. col
lect the taxes and pay themselves out
of the money so received. The United
States has declared that so long as
they do not permanently acquire or
colonize" any part of Venezuelan ter
ritory, the two European powers will
not come in conflict with the Monroe
Doctrine" and will therefore, not be
. interfered with by. us. But now in
tervention by the United States may
be forced.
President Castro has declared that
If the Europeans seize his customs
houses he will Immediately issue
proclamation of free trade between
4 Venezuela and the whole world. OF
course, that would mean that the Ger
mans and English would have nothing
TO collect, and their plan to pay them
selves in that way would be effectually
halted. A blockade that would effec-
ually cut of all communication by sea
would probably affect the foreign resi-
dents OF Venezuela more seriously
than the natives.
In some quarters It IS believed to be
likely that war may result England
has considerable force in her West
Indian islands, from which a fair-sized
army could be drafted and speedily
transported to Venezuela to cooperate
with Commodore Scheder's 2O00 men.
The opportunity for Great Britain
and Germany is favorable in one re-
spect. Owing to the close of tine revo-
luton there is a definite government
with which to deal. Should Castro.
however declare war upon Colombia
4 for fomenting revolution against Vene-
zuela the opportunityswould pass. I'm
doubtedly it is for this reason that
both countries are rushing their ships
f to the Caribbean.
Venezuelan Delegation in London.
London, Nov 29.-The Associated
Press learns that important steps were
taken in London yesterday with a view
to satisfying all the financial and dl-
. plomatic claims by foreign powers and
bondholders against Venezuela It is
maintained that If the contemplated
\ action meets with approval Germany
and Great Britain will have no cause
to take the vigorous steps now con
N templated. The details of the sug-
gested settlement have not been COM
municated to the European govern
ments as yet. Their gist first will be
made known to the United States gov.
eminent probably today. The medium
Of such communication is one of the
most important Anglo-American bank
ers. Venezuela's propositions were
mentioned to Ambassador Choate yes
terday, but, pending the result of the
direct representations at Washington
no action will be taken by the embassy
towards suggesting that Venezuela be
given time to submit her proposition
The new development in the crisis
which is regarded as hourly growing
more serious, is due to the arrival in
Europe of a secret delegation from the
Venezuelan government empowered
to deal with the outstanding liabilite.
of that republic.
President Castro has hitherto haJ
no opportunity of taking up the quos
ton of national finances. but while he
himself has engaged in suppressinf
the revolution he sent to Europe the
secret delegation referred to, with ths
view Of accomplishing what was re
garded as impossible of execution a
4 Caracas. Secrecy was regarded to b,
imperative in view of President Cas-
!. tro's belief that If it had been know
shat Venezuela contemplated a new
financial settlement he would hav,
q been inundated with claims Of ever
description. and the dealings with tn,
bondholders would have preserte.