Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-12-04
ALARM IS FELT
IN VENEZUELA
Fear of War With Germany
Causes Renewal of Friendly
Relations With France.
BLOCKADE IS NOW AN ISSUE
The United States Is Called Upon to Say
Whether the blockade of the Orinoco
Is Efective-Other Powers Have Taken
Taken y Stand.

Caracas, Venezuela. Dec. 1.--Presi.
dent Castro has opened all the prisons
in this city and at Puerto Cabello and
Maracaibo and liberated the political
offenders confined therein.
Among the released prisoners are
Olavarria, the brother-in-law OF Gen
eral Matos; Acedo, the latter's con-
fidential agent, and the leading traders
in Caracas named Travieso, Volcan
and Nunez, who were arrested for
completely in the revolution. This act
has produced a good impression, and 1t
is reported that General ]. M. Heran-
uez, called "El Mocho," and three
others of the revolutionary leaders will
be liberated shortly.
The Venezuelan General Antonio
Velutini has been appointed minister
plenipotentiary to France. He will re-
new the diplomatic relations between
the two countries, which have been
ruptured since 1894. The precipitate
nomination of General Velutini Is due
also to the fears entertained by the
Venezuelan government of compiled
tics with Germany. The newly ap
pointed minister is of French descent
The news that Germany will send
three warships to reinforce the Ger
man squadron In Venezuelan waters,
which already consists of three YES
sells, has produced feeling of appre-
hension in this city, and especially in
official circles.
The following is a quotation from
the semi-official papers which COM
ment on the cables treating Of the at
titude of Great Britain and Germany
toward Venezuela:
I'VE will await confirmation OF the
cables before speaking more clearly,
and We must suppose, with respectful
seriousness of the cabinet OF St
James and the decisions of the Ger.
man government, that these cables are
unfounded."
Port of Spain, Trinidad. Dec. t.
The United States is confronted with
the question of declaring its attitude
regarding the blockade Of the Orinoco
river, which has been declared by the
Venezuelan government.
The British authorities say they
have asked United States Consul
Smith what the intentions of the
Washington government are regarding
the steamer Manzanares. belonging to
the Orinoco steamship company,
which is now here. Some days ago
the British authorities announced their
willingness to convey the Mazanares
up the Orinoco, but withdrew their
offer on the arrived of the United
States gunboat Nashville, on the
ground that the United States now
having a warship in port should con.
voy Its own merchantmen.
Consul Smith is comforting with Ad.
miral Crowninshield and Admiral Sum-
ner, lC is believed, with regard to the
Manzanares. The Nashville is suited
to the purpose of conveying the Man
zarares, but no action Is possible I'M
til instructions have been received
from Washington.
The United States is the only nation
which has not taken decisive stand
regarding the blockade and 1t is claim
ed that this situation is embarrassing
American commerce. especially the
Manzanares, which has been here
since last June, her cargo spelling and
the delay involving great loss to the
company.