Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-12
ARE DRAFTING THE vENEz ANS
All of Them Between the Ages
 of IS and 50 Must Fight.
WILL BE DECLARED TRAITORS

WILL BE DECLARED TRAlIORS If They Do Not Take Up Arms-Pres- ident Castro's Order for Release
 of Prisoners Has Made Good I'm
 pression- Government
 Has Asked Minister Bowen to Act
 as Arbitrator.
 Caracas, Venezuela, Dec Il. Clhuts- day).-The government has takeh p.9 51 seryatiye measures at La Gudll" ~, the deposit of coal at the navy !alu and all the British cars on the Ld Iu- aira railroad have been brought hefe' rendering impossible the transpoft''- ton of the allied troops by rall. dell. l. era1 Ferrer, the minister of war, spehI all day to-day in choosing spots Ill tne mountains where trenches are 10 oe dug.
 The governor of Caracas has issued the following decree:
 ssAll Venezuelans living in the feder an district, between the ages Of Is ana 50 years. must enroll themselves in the militia; any such person refusing to enroll voluntarily as patriotism de- mands will be declared traitor ana sent before the tribunals"
 Yesterday, after a long conference with President Castro, United States Minister Bowen obtained an order for the liberation of the remaining Brit ish and German subjects who. were held prisoners. and an hour later all had been released. Minister Bowen and Secretary of Legation Russell went to the jail five times and assist ed the poor colored British subjects and those who were iil
 The order for the release of the pris- oners has made a good impression and is looked upon as polite act on the part of President Castro.
 Everyone in Caracas believes the situation to be desperate and threat ems war unless Minister Bowen suc- ceeds in having the matters in dispute submitted to arbitration.
 1t is said on the authority of an of ficial near to President Castro that the president has allowed Minister Bowen to communicate with the Berlin and London governments through the state department at Washington, this being the only hope of avoiding a serious conflict. It is reported that the plan of the British and German forces is to secure the ports of La Guaira and Puerto Cabello.
 It is stated on good authority that the Venezuelan government has asked United States Minister Bowen to act as arbitrator in the controversy with Great Britain and Germany,
 The English telephone office has been seizeds
 La Gl1aira, Venezuela, Dec 12.-The defensive preparations at the strategic points on the heights back of the town are being vigorously pushed forward. The deposits of powder in the fort resses of Lavigia and San Carlos have been removed. Great patriotic demon strations are being made, and everyone capable of bearing arms is offering his services. .
 The embargo placed upon the harbor corporation has been removed.
 Chicago. Dec 12-Miguel Alma Pie tro Gonzalez. merchant of Caracas, Venezuela, who is on a business trip through the United States. has arrived in Chicago. In an interview last night he said:
 "President Castro is a man of ab- normal ambition. and believes that he win some day be the Diaz of Vene- zuela. It is said to be his ambition to bring about union of the South American republics and to place him. self at the head of it. He evidently thinks that the United States will side with him in the present embroglio and if necessary win support his operations against England and Germany. The conservative people in Venezuela are strongly opposed to his aggressive pol fey. The radical element, however, is with him and strengthens him in the belief that Venezuela is powerful enough to resist both England and Germany"
 Washington, Dec 12.-A cablegram was received from Minister Bowen saying that Venezuela had requested him to propose to Great Britain and Germany that the difficulties of the present situation be submitted to arbi- tration.
 beFl10. D6C lZ.--flegdfQ1US9 the To- ports that the Germans wantonly de- stroyed the Venezuelan vessels cap tured at La Guaira it is said, accord ing to official adyices. that only one vessel was disabled and none was sunk, and the British participated equally with the Germans.
 
 BULL FIGHT PREVENTED. President Haines Stirs Up Gov. Me