The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-12
SITUATION IS NOW CRITICAL
Mr.. Bowen Demanded the Prompt Re-
lease of German and British Subjects
PEACEFUL BLOCKADE" NOW EXISTS

THIS Means That There is IN Slight
Chance of settlement without
Actual BIood-Shed-The Next Move
will Probably be n Formal Block
ade of the Port-VenezueIa's Action
in Arresting the British and Ger
nam Subjects is i'm Itself Almost a
Declaration of War-These Coun-
tries Appreciate Our Position and
will Try to Keep United States Out
Of the Dispute.
Washington, December 13.-The state
department has been &dHlsed tnat
peaceful Flockade' exists in LaGualra'
which is the port Of Caracas, the capl-
tai of Venezuela. The uIIeIente between
this state and a state Of var Is not
strongly marked, except in the oppor-
tunity afforded by the Ie&teFul DOCK
ade to effect a settlement, without re-
course to actual bloodshed.
The situation is here Iega"6td as criti-
saI Minister Bowen at Can acas, has
accepted the trust placed upon him to
look after the interests OF British ana
German citizens in Venezrela and this
has brought him in.o Conflict with
President Castro. He has l1f' rmed the
state department THAI Humber OF
thesa citizens were arrested yesterday
in Caracas. Mr.. Bowen a. once ad-
dressed himself to President Castro TO
secure their release He represented
tnRl he had been charged with the care
of British and German subjects in Ven
ezuela, but President Castro was un-
willing at first to 2cocn'ze his au-
thority.
Finally the minister Convinced him
that he was acting within his tights and
President Castro consented with re-
luctarce to release the pin ciI al prls-
aners Mr.. Bowen will irsis1 upon the
release sf the remainder. Nothing In
his reports to the state dcpa: tment in
dicate the reason for the arrest or the
soreisuers except that they were Ger
nans and British.
The latest report from Mr. Bowen to
the department confirmed the press dis
patches relative to the SEIZURE OF the
Venezuelan navy in the port Of Caracas
Yesterday. 1t is now exleoted that the
uext step will be the anl-ount ement OF
= formal blockade of that port bV the
British anu German wa1sh-ps 1t IS oe-
Reved here that this will net stop the
entry iaso the port of American ships,
but that If they land lhair CaTgoes the
British and Germans will Insist upon
collecting the regular Venezuelan rate
of customs duties upon tneni. OF course
this will involve the seizure OF the Gus
tom house. and in turn it is expected
tbs. President Castro, unless he con-
cIudes to abandon further resistance,
VIII Issue a decree closing the port TO
entries. and will insist urGn collecting
duties anew upon the same goods IL
they passed into the interior Of the
country beyond LaGualra-
IT was said at the British and Ger
man embassies today that the action OF
Castro in ordering the arrest Of all sub
Eaots of the British AMI German gov
-rppaents in Caracas was without prece-
dent In the history OF oivll.1e countries
SUPPOSEDLY at peace with each other
and that such action would be regarded
as sufficient ground for declaration OF
war. Indeed by members Ct the diplo-
Ha.tic corps here it is regarded as being
such a declaration in itself.
Minister Bowens prompt action IN
demanding of President Castro the re-
lease of the German and British sub
in accordance with the plan agreed upon
between the German and British am
bassadors and Secretary Hay. when the
former called at the state department
fully three weeks ago ard, in anticipa-
tfoa of the present ugly situation in
Venezuela, requested that The United
States minister at Caracas b permitted
to protect the lives ana property OF all
citizens of the London and Berlin gov
ernments in the South American re-
public
1t is understood that President Castro
was advised. of this action. 1t was
pointed out by diplomat Of nigh rank
today that in forcing Mil lister Bowen TO
demand the release Of the arrested sub
jects, President Castro is acting direct
ly contrary to the desire Of the Wash
ington government not to become invol-
we'd in the international dispute.
Both Germany and Great Bl tain it was
said, fully appreciate tie pos.ilo of the
United States and are ieto. Dnned that
this country shall not be unnecessarily
drawn into the embodiment
Lewes, Della, December 10.-Assa-
teapna life savers report schooner Vir-