The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-14


manders Of merchantmen to leave port.
Il IL believed that this foreshadows that
some decisive action on the part OF the
British and Germans is imminent.
LONDON. Dec. ia despatch from La
Guayra says the British Ct uiser CharyId r
and the German warships ViIeia and Stosch
arrived a. that port yesterday and took up
commanding Positions in line of battle
The Venezuelan Government Ii removing
all munitions into the fortros-ss
Il Is stated on good authority that Moth
ing is known in Official circl,s of the alleged
proposal OF President Castro to arbitrate
the matters n dispute. No such proposal
has reached the British Government.
However, it IL said that Great Britain
10 ready TO arLitrate III claims against
Venezuela on cert ain conditions The first
il that Venezuela shall pay $4,000 AZ guar
sntee Of good faith, and the second IL that
the arbitrator shall have control Of the
customs receipts while the Arbitration II
proceeding.
1t lie also stated in reference to the sink
ing Of Venezuelan ships that the Germans
sonk the two they captured. but that the
British did not destroy the ones they tooh
but are now utilizing them in blockadins
venezuelan ports.
CAsTRo's DEFIANCE.
BERLIN, Dec. l3-An official statement
Issued here to-day says that President
Castro, In his reply. transmitted through
United States Minister Herbert ", Bowen
psjects in every particular the demands
made in the ultirnatum Of Germany pre-
lns
man charge d'Affaires.
II ia learned from official sources that
the German Government has not yet been
notified Of Castro's proposal that United
States Minister Bowen should act as arbi-
TRAITOR or intermediary In the present dis
pute For this reason the officials are
unable to say what their attitude would
be on such proposition.
II Is also said that more German warships
may he sent to Venezuela, but II is con-
sidered that the feet at present on the spot
Ia sufficient for the purpose OF establishing
a blockade. which the Government seems
70 be fully resolved to carry into effect
at once.
There Ia a strong suspicion that the
accounts Of the condition of affairs in Vene-
zuela ars very much exaggerated and are
intended to excite the sympathy of the
United States II is also pointed out that
even II the order to sink the captured Nene-
zue.an warshirs was given ty the German
commander England must share the re-
sponsiLilty, as the two Powers are acting
in common
TOO LATE FOR ARBITRATION
Commenting on President Castro's ar
duration propC sal. the Fosslsche Zennng
says II might have been posshl" To enter
tain such proposition before the German
and English warships sailed for Venezuela,
but It Il now impract icable, The paper
points out that France adopted the princi
pie of arbitration, but has not vet got
pfennie as result of the decision. The
Vossische Zeitung says that arbitration viii
only cause a delay Of months, or perhaps
wears. This Is evidently President Castro's
idea. II il different, however with media
ton This. the paper thinks, would lead
TO a happy result In such case. however,
IL would be necessary for Castro to have
made the most positive Offer and not iner"
promises or shi'v proposals
The National Zeitun0 comments on and
approves the American attitude in the
matter Of arbitration. 1t says the attitude
OF President Roosevelt shows that America
u abiding by her original standpoint. The
paper expresses fear that the difficulties
have reached such a stage that arbitration
is impossible. all the more 80 because there
il nothing 10 arbitrate about
CASTRO ANSWER NOT SENT TO wAsHrNGroN,
WAsHINoToN, Dec. 10 The State De
partmNut has not received thateSt of Prcsl-
dent Castro's reply to the ultimatum Of
Great Britain and Germany, which. ac-
cording to an official statement ISSUED
in Berlin, was delivered last Sunday. Tn"
attent ion of State Department officers
was called to the official statement that
President Castro in his reply had rejected
Internationally each and every term III the
ultimatum.
II was said at the depart mcnt that. Will.
Mr.. Bowen may have been tn" means Of
transmitting the reply of the Venezuelan
Government to the proper officers of tn"
English and German Governments. he had
sent no detailed informal ion to the State
Department concerning tn" matter
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Dec. - The
captured Ven"Zuean warships are manned
by British sailors The British cruiser
Ariadne is here The other vessels pf the
British fleet arc pat rolling the coast waiting
for developments in the matter of So ling
the claims In case no settlement l. made
1t is probable that there will be resort
to harsher measures. Neanw hlc the ORR
noco River has been OPENED 10 navigation
FEENCH OPINION
PARIS. Dec. l3.-Thc Temps, speaking
semi.officially says if President Castro's
appeal for arbitration il true il will neccs-
sarily lessen the danger Of complications
Nothing decisive can be accomplished in
the Western Hemisphere without the APP
prevail of the Washington Government
The appeal Of Castro ives President
Roosevelt a chance of setting the diff
Guilty with due regard to the Monroe Doc
trine.