Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-12-10

harbor OF La Guayra.
II 10 reported that n final ultimatum will
be delivered tomorrow "wednesday asking
for an answer and a compliance with the
demand of the British and German minis
ters.
CARACAS Venezuela, Dec. s.-All Ger
man and British subjects we're arrested to-
day.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9.--The arrests of
German and British subjects at Caracas
will, It is believed. involve this government
In the trouble, as the United States min
lister has been asked to take charge OF the
interests Of the two countries in Venezuela.
The probability is that Mr.. Bowen has al
ready taken steps toward that end
Considerable surprise is expressed here
over the arrests. as the result will be to
add TO the serious complications already
existing II was thought when Mr.. Bowen
first notified the department that he had
been asked to act for Great Britain and
Germany that II would not be the end of
Minister Bowen's activities, for from the
tenor of some Of the communications he
had made to the department It was in
ferred that II he saw an opportunity to use
his good offices as a mediator between
President Castro and the British and Ger
man REPRESENTATIVES, ne NOulu
avail himself OF the opportunity
The State department would not en-
courage him in this attitude, preferrIng to
avoid all complications.
An official, not long returned from Vene-
zuela, states that to the best Of his judg
ment the sum Of s5,OOO,OOO will probably
cover the claims upon which the ultimatum
issued yesterday was based. The principal
claim u that OF the German railroad, built
at q cost Of $40, 600 600, and upon which
venezuela defauIted for several years the
interest tho Eeye-nment susrartses. q
The English claim also covers a number
of items growing out Of the governments
appropriation Of British railroads.
Castro Ready TO Fight.
CARACAS. Venezuela, Dec. e.-President
Castro In an interview today said:
THE Venezuelan government has not re-
c6iyed any ultimatum, properly speaking
but rather Simultaneous requests from
Great Britain and Germany. The claims
Great Britain asks this government to set
tie are small and up to the present time
we have not been aware Of them. Never
having been presented, Venezuela has con-
sequently never refused to settle them
Great Brtain's action, therefore. is with
out justification" -
WudI 10 you lnteuu 10 uO III NlSW Vi lut
present attitude OF the powersH wa'
asked.
Enforce our rights" replied President
Castro "and explain to the world thai
Venezuela has laws and prove that we have
never denied our engagements"
The president was asked what reply tn,
Venezuelan government would make to thu
requests handed It by the German ant
British ENJOYS. To this he replied. afte
reflection:
''The Venezuelan government is aston
ished that after the notes which wer,
transmitted to It BY the diplomatic repre-
sentatives OF Germany and Great Britain
these envoys should leave Caracas withou
awaiting the reply Of the Venezuelan gov
eminent"
LONDON. Dec. s.-one OF the larges
creditors Of Venezuela states that tn
ultimatums OF Great Britain and German
had a seventy-two-hour limit and there
fore will expire on Wednesday.
The Foreign once, while not denying tn
correctness Of this statement, intimated to
night that the period is liable to extension
There are come indications OF a possibl
settlement. though nothing definite has ye
been decided.