The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-22
JOINT NOTES.
Germany and Great Britain
Formally Invite President
To Act as Arbitrator in Vene-
zuelan Dispute.
CASTRO is SATISFIED.
Believed at Washington That
President Will Accept.
Formal Declaration of War
Gazetted by England.

anu GfedL Britain formally inviting
President Roosevelt to act as arbitra-
tor in the Venezuelan dispute were
handed to the United States ambassador
here and to the United States charge in
London today.
JOHNSTON ARRIVES.
Caracas, Dec. 22.-Lieutenant Mar
bury Johnston. attaches to the United
States cruiser Montgomery, has report
ed to Minister Bowen as naval attacha
here. having been landed at La Guayra
Sunday by the cruiser Albany which
is under instructions to proceed for
Mayaguez. Lieutenant Johnston will ad-
wise Mr.. Bowen with respect to naval
questions, particularly with reference to
the blockade. His arrival here has
aroused keen interest.
CASTRO ISN'T ILL
Caracas, Dec. 22.-There is nothing in
the report published in the United
States that President Castro is suffering
from a mysterious illness. The corre-
spondent of the Associated Press saw
the president today. He is enjoying his
usual health.
Washington, Dec 22-The following
cablegram has been received from Com
nander Diehl of the Marietta. which
lies at La Quayra. The message comes
via Hayti and is dated yesterday:
British vice admiral established eff
fective blockade from and after Decern-
Der 20 of La Guayra, Carenero. Guanta.
Cumana, Carupano and the mouths of
the Orinoco. Vessels sailing from the
United States and West Indies before
the date of notification allowed grace
steamers 10 days, sailing vessels 20 days.
Other ports steamers 20. sails 40 days,
n 7IOPIZadPn nOFfS Il ia ElIi1
text if desired"
Ambassador Tower has notified the
state department from Berlin that he
has received official notification from
the German government that the Ger
man squadron has blockaded Maracaibo
and Porto Cabello. effective December
90 allowing 10 and 20 days respectively
for steamers and sailing vessels from
the United States and West Indian ports
and 20 and 40 days from all other ports
and Is days for vessels except Venezue-
Ian to leave Venezuela ports. Ambassa-
dor Mercer has cabled that he received
yesterday from the minister for foreign
affairs, an official note dated December
90 announcing that Italy has decided to
participate with naval force in the
blockade of ports which had been de-
clared by the British and German gov
ernments Lieutenant Marbury John
ston, the officer detailed by Admiral
Dewey to go to the relief of Minister
Bowen at Caracas has advised the navy
be stationed at the American legation
as assistant to the minister. When Lieu
tenant Johnston arrived Saturday night
the city was cuiet though the anti-for-4
eign feeling was still intense.
The United States government is
awaiting the reception of formal an
swers from the allied governments to
the presidents last suggestion that the
Venezuelan dispute be referred to The
Hague tribunal. So far these responses
have not come to hand but it is pretuv
well understood that they will hold for
the arbitration of President Roosevelt
himself. Signs point to the presidents
ultimate acceptance of the trust though
nothing positive is yet known on this
4 point. The state department has learn
! ed that President Castro would wei
come the selection of President Roose-
/ welt S arbitrator and as all the parties
interested are united the pressure will
be hard to resist. Opinion varies as to
the termination of the blockade of the
Venezuelan ports In some quarters it
is assumed that if President Roosevelt
accepts the duty of arbitrator, the allies
will call off the blockade at once.
On the other hand. it is pointed out
that custom requires the terms of the
arbitration to be accurately defined and
which the blockade will continue
1t is quite evident from the develop
ments here that Germany is the origin
atOr and promoter of the suggestion
traitor. Great Britain and Italy. it is
/ believed. incline toward arbitration by
The Hague tribunal. but of course they
would not indicate any preference Off
cially in the matter if President Roose-
welt gave the faintest indication of ac-
cepting the charge. Indeed. officially
the allies stand on record a supporting
the German lead in this matter.
Advices received here from Rome
state that the former Italian minister
at Caracas Mr.. Riva, will return to
Italy at once and that Baron Aliotti,
who was formerly attached to the In
| dian embassy here. will remain on
board the italian warship Giovanni
Bausan, and in the event of renewal
| of diplomatic negotia tions between Italy
ard Venezuela will become charge
| d'affaires. Secretary Hay has been in
| formed of this fact by Signor Mayer
| Des Planchez. the Italian ambassa dor.
Baron Alcotti made many friends dur
ing his stay in Washington and Is re-
garded thoroughly competent for his
new charge.
THE KAISER SUGGESTED IT.
Berlin. Dec. 22.-The small German
cruiser Sperber. whose reconstruction
has Just been finished has been ordered
to join Commodore Schoeder's squadron
in Venezuelan waters. She will sail
from Wilhelms Haven in two or three
days. The Sperber besides her own
complement takes seventy -rve men to
man the Restaurador. captured by the
Germans from Venezuela.
The blockade of the Venezuelan coasa
will continue until a definite arrange
ment for arbitration has been reached
Germany will be we'll satisfied if Presi-
dent Roosevelt undertakes the task
/ His acceptance would be considered a
sufficient guaraStee that Venezuela
would pay if she lost. Asking President
Roosevelt to arbitrate was the emperor's s
4 suggestion An indirect inquiry three