Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-18

CARACAS. VENEZUELA. December
1.-Indications here are that Venezuela
will yield TO the demands of the allies.
The leading citizens of Caracas have
addressed a joint note to President Cas-
tro, asking him to give full powers to
United States Minister Bowen to effect
a termination of the present difficulty.
The note was transmitted to President
Castro at / O'clock this afternoon. 1t is
bankers. and agricuiturists. IT reflects tru-
" the consensus of opinion among the
business element of this city. The men
who signed the note Will meet again to-
night to discuss ways and means of OBJ
tanning money with which Venezuela can
meet her obligations, as well as the guar
antees which it will be possible to offer
to creditors. The note is as follows:
Text OF the Note.
Caracas, December Il. 1902.
ITO the President OF the United States
of Venezuela:
"Sir.-The undersigned, having met with
the purpose Of Offering their aid to the
Government of Venezuela, in the present
conflicting situation, which has been Gre
ated by the aggressive attitude OF Ger
many and Great Britain, and upon your
request TO give our opinions in writing,
we address you in the following terms:
In view of the acts OF violence already
committed, and Of tie absolute impotence
of Venezuela to meet force with force,
in response to the allied action of Ger
many and Great Britain; in view of the
fact that Venezuela has exhausted all
lt-~a
diplomacy to put an end to the present
situation; and the government and the
people having complied honoraby and
worthily with the demands of national
honor. we consider, with all due respect,
that the moment to yield to force has ar
rived.
we therefore respectfully recommend
that full powers be given TO the Minister
Of the United States of North America,
authorizing him to carry out proper mea-
sures 10 terminate the present conflict
in The manner least prejudicjal TO the in
tercsts of Venezuela
The note is signed by about 300 prom
nent citizens Of Caracas
italian Minister Departs.
CARACAS. VENEZUELA, December
1.-THE Italian Minister left Caracas this
morning At S o'clock Minister Bowen
went To the Italian legation, in q state
carriage. accompanied by Secretary Rus
sell and took the Italian Minister, Signor
de Diva, and the Italian Consul. Signor
Gazzurell and conducted them to the
railway station where they were met by
the leading Italian residents OF this city.
Mr. Bowen then accompanied the Min
lister in his car. shook hands with him,
and handed him papers and cigars for
his journey to La Guayra.
The Venezuelan newspapers are still iS
norant OF the fact that the Italian Minis
ter presented an ultimatum to the Nene
zuelan government yesterday evening,
and therefore, there were crowds at the
railway station but no hostile demonstra-
ton. The city is quiet to-day.
La Guayra Blockade On.
CARACAS, December 1.-THE blockade
of La Guayra. the notification of which,
in the names of Great Britain and Ger
many, was communicated TO the Nenezue-
ian government December 18th. went into
effect to-day. The order applies 10 Fene-
zuelan vessels only.
Notice of Blockade To-Day.
BERLIN. December IA formal notifl-
alton Of the blockade of the Venezuelan
coast by the warships Of the allied powers
is likely 10 be issued tomorrow. 1t is
understood that ships of the United States
those of other nations.
No Occupation of Territory.
BERLIN, December 1.-THE Foreign |,
Office denies explicitly that the German /
squadron in Venezuelan waters has or |
ders to seize Rargarita Island, adding |
that no occupation of territory of Nenc- |
zuela win occur.
The Foreign Office officials allege that |
systematic effort is apparently being made !
TO represent Germany as the propelling /
power in the coercion Of Venezuela, and !
as being responsible for ali the harsh |
measures For instance. they say. the .
bonbardment OF the forts at Puerto Ca
bcllo IS ascribed TO German initiative
whereas the Foreign Office officials say
without reservation that the lombard
ment was at the British commanders |
the Topaz being British t
ship The German commander partlci-
Dated in the firing only loyal ally.
A Arbitration Proposal Inadcpuate.
BERLIN, December 17.-GermanE con-
,iders that President Castro's proposal to
,rbitrate is inadequate, unaccompanled
az IL is with guarantees 10 pay IL the
rhjtrators decide against him, and re-
,ly in that sense has been. or Will be,
sent through Minister Bowen. Great
Britain will make a similar answer.
sr,h.Sa Sfafayr1enfS are not made OIL