Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-12-18
CASTRO'S DEFIANT ATTITUDE
MAY LEAD ALLIES TO BACK DOWN
OR FURTHER coMPLlcATE
MATTERS.
GREAT BRITAIN DOESN'T LIKE IT
cAsrRo's PROPOSITION FOR AR.
slTRATioN COMES TOO
LATE.


| Caracas. Dec. 13.-The Venezuelan
| government has asked United States
Minister Bowen to act as arbitrator in
the controversy with Great Britain
and Germany.
Every one in Caracas believes the
situation to be desperate and threat
ems war unless Minister Bowen sue
ceeds in having the matters in dispute
submitted to arbitration.
The government has taken preserva-
tive measures at La Guayra. All the
deposits of coal at the navy yard and
all the British cars on the La Guayra
railroad have been brought here, rem
dering impossible the transportation
of the allied troops by rail.
| The governor of Caracas has issued
the following decree:
Cali Venezuelans living in the fed
eral district between the ages of eigh-
| teen and fifty years must enroll them
selves in the militia; any such person
refusing to enroll voluntarily, as
traitor and sent before the tribunals"
Serious Complications Likely.
Washington, Dec. 13.-The definite
attitude of President Castro of Ven
ezuela will lead either to England and
Germany backing down through a
| proposition to arbitrate or France and
possibly the United States will be
| drawn into an affair that will assume
serious proportions.
If there is an attempt to possess
themselves Of all the customs re-
ceipts on the part of Great Britain and
| Germany protests will follow from
France, which holds claims aggregat-
ing more than the combined claims of
England and Germany, which it is
understood already has arranged for
their payment on an installment plan
out of the Venezuelan custom receipts.
Assert the Monroe Doctrine.
Should England and Germany de-.
clare war upon Venezuela they could
not hope to make Venezuela pay the
bills except by seizure of territory, and
here is where the United States would
be compelled to assert the Monroe
doctrine.
The sinking of the Venezuelan war
ships was an act of war, and Great
Britain and Germany are endeavoring
to lay the blame upon each other.
The request of President Castro that
Minister Bowen propose arbitration to
England and Germany was considered
by the cabinet yesterday morning and
message was sent to the minister
saying that this government would be
glad to have him act for Venezuela in
this matter and suggest arbitration to
the allied powers. It is felt here that
this suggestion might be
Received With Favor
by England and Germany to give them
plan of retreat from some of the
mistakes they have made. The state
department has transmitted this COM
munication to London and Berlin, as
it has other dispatches from Ven
ezuela. What attitude those govern
ments will take on this proposition the
state department does not venture to
guess. But the tone of the English
press is accepted as an indication that
it may not be unwelcome at this time.
The British and German foreign Of
fees are trying to shift all RESPONSE
bility for the destruction of Venezuelan
naval vessels and both powers are
moving cautiously, as they are con-
fronted with warlike demonstrations
from President Castro.
Proposal Comes Too Late.
London, Dec. 3.-The Venezuelan.
crisis is regarded less seriously here
this morning. Lord Lansdowne's
speech is held to show that the stu
alton is in no way alarming, and, al
though the opinion is expressed that
President Castros reported request
| for arbitration has come too late, this
| step on his part is welcomed as a
| proof of his anxiety to withdraw some
his position.
The morning newspapers express
| various opinions as to the arbitration
! proposals, but there is a general agree
| ment that if, by guarantee made by
the United States or other means,
Venezuela could be bound to carry out
an award, no reason exists why Great
| Britain should refuse to consent to ar
| bitration. It is believed, however,
that neither Great Britain or Germany
| is likely to accept the arbitration pro-
posal.
Thanks Due United States.
Berlin, Dec. 13-All the newspapers
having government leanings carefully
bring out the fact that thanks are due
to the United States for it's resolute
protection through Minister Bowen of
German and British subjects at Car.
! acas. Throughout the official press
there appear inspired reaffirmations Of
! the statement that Germany does not
intend the slightest infringement OF
the Monroe doctrine as defined by the
state department at Washington
Foreign Residents Take Refuge.
London, Dec. ia dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Willemstad, Curacao,
dated Dec. II, says that the foreign
residents of Puerto Cabello are taking
refuge on board the German cruiser
Vineta and the British cruiser Ariadne
and that these vessels are threatening
to lombard the port