The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-12-23
AWAITING An ANSWER
Venezuela President Denies That he
Accepted Ultimatum.
BOWEN TO EFFECT SETTLEMENT

tion, Conferences Will Be Held In
Washir cton-venezueIan Schooner
Captured and Disabled.
Caracas, Venezuela, Dec. 19.-Yes-
terday morning the correspondent of
the Associated Press saw President
Castro and questioned him regarding
the report published in the United
States that the Anglo-German ultima
tum had been accepted by Venezuela.
The President became furious with
rage and said there was no truth in
the report. He added: "The accept
ance OF an ultimatum cannot be
coupled with arbitration. Besides. the
Anglo-German ultimatum is not. prop
erly speaking. an ultimatum.-
When asked If il was true that Ven
ezuela was taking diplomatic steps to
arrange for arbitration and that ar
rangements in this connection were
we'll advanced, President Castro re
marked; The government of Vene-
zuela does not propose To determine on
any steps while the proposition for
arbitration that the legation OF the
United States was charged TO present
TO Great Britain and Germany remains
unanswered"
No answer on the subject of the pro-
posed arbitration has been received
from Washington
Lopez Baralt. Venezuelan minister
OF foreign affairs. has transmitted TO
United States Minister Bowen a docu-
ment signed by President Castro as
constitutional president of the repub-
lie, and countersigned by himself as
minister OF foreign affairs. in which
Mr.. Bowen is recognized as the only
representative of Venezuela in the
matter of effecting a settlement OF the
present difficulty.
According to the terms of this docu-
ment, Mr.. Bowen may act without re-
striction, and he is to use all means
possible to protect the interests of
Venezuela The state department at
Washington has been notified of the
transmission of this instrument to Mr..
Bowen.
Events here are dependent on the
ceipt. through the state department.
of the answers of the governments of
Great Britain. Germany and Italy TO
the proposal OF arbitration advanced
by Venezuela; these answers sre e1-
pected today. Should they be favor
able. the Venezuelan government
strongly desires that a conference of
the ambassadors of Great Britain. Ger
many and Italy TO the United States
then be held in Washington, and that
Mr.. Bowen leave La Guaira December
23 for the United States on board the
Red ID Line steamer Caracas, which
is due to reach New York December
20. Mr.. Bowen will meet the ambas-
sailors in Washington. No meeting to
discuss terms of settlement is to be
held on Venezuelan soil.
1t has been learned from an official
source that the allies notified the
Venezuelan authorities at La Guaira
Of the blockade. to become effective
Saturday. December 20, at 3 D. m. Of
the ports OF La Guaira, Puerto Cabello.
Coro. Maracaibo, Carupano and Bar
celona.
Another Vessel Captured.
la Guaira. Dec. 1.-THE German
cruiser Fake, which has been an
chored for the past two days at the
entrance OF Lake Maracaibo. yesterday
captured the Venezuelan schooner Vic
toria. After cutting down her main
mast, thus disabling her. the Germans
abandoned the vessel. This action
has caused great Indignation among
the venezuelans. and excitement runs
high at Maracaibo, where the people
have been parading the streets utter.
ing cries against Great Britain and
Germany.