The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-15
new DEMAND ON CASTRO
VENEZUELAN MERCHANT SHIPS
MUST BE KEPT AT HOME.
London Press CriticiseS the Govern.
ment-views of Washington
Participation by Italy.

PUERTO CABELLO, Dec. 13.-The Brit
ish cruiser Charybdis and the German
cruiser Vineta bombarded the fortress here
at o'clock this afternoon and quickly
silenced IL. The bombardment lasted forty
five minutes. The fortress Is composed OF
Fort Solano and the Castle Libertador.
After the firing ceased the Charybdis sent
marines to occupy the castle. The fortress
was almost demolished. 1t is probable that
only a few persons were injured by the
shellinf>. The commander of Castle Liber-
tador has been taken prisoner. The cruis-
ers are still here.
At o'clock this morning the Charybdis
and the Vineta arrived here searching for
Venezuelan gunboats. The cruisers sent
their boats into the inner port, but finding
no gunboats the boats returned. The cap
tain of the British merchant steamer To-
paze, which was seized by the mob here
last Wednesday then visited the British
commodore on board the Charybdis and
lodged a protest against the violation of
his ship. The British captain returned an
hour later with detachment of fifty ma
rines, who took charge of the Topaze. Tf1
populace was greatly excited at this Incl
dent, and raised the cry ITO arms" but
there was disorder.
The British commodore then sent a mes
sage to the authorities at Puerto Cabello
demanding immediate satisfaction for the
action of the mob in having hauled down
the British flag from the Topaze. saying
that IL this satisfaction was not forthcom-
ing in two hours. at o'clock, the fortress
and the custom house would be lombard
ed. On the receipt of this demand the au-
thorities sent a message to President Cas-
tro, asking for instructions.
A committee of the merchants of Puerto
Cabello then approached the American con-
sui here, petitioning him to intervene. The
consul accepted this mission and visited the
cruisers. but he could obtain no alteration
in the decision of the allies
At quarter before a reply was re-
ceived from President Castro, who author
lied the chief official here to give the Brit
ish commodore ample satisfaction. Before
this answer could be communicated to the
American consul the hour stipulated for
it's receipt had arrived: the cruisers imme-
diately opened fire on the fortress The fire
was returned from Fort Solano and Castle
Libertador. but the Venezuelan guns were
soon silenced. While the firing continued
there was intense excitement in this port
Every house in town was closed.
The people of Puerto Cabello cannot ac-
count for this precipitate action on the
part of the allies, which they consider to
be proof that Great Britain and Germany
intend forcing war upon Venezuela.
The British marines purpose to make use
of the cannon in Castle Lbertador. No
damage was done to the town. The excite
ment of the people Is subsiding.
The entrance to the inside harbor at
Puerto Cabello is through narrow chan
mel. not more than few hundred feet wide
To the left of this channel. as one enters
the harbor. situated on a low sand spit. is
the fortress whteh was bombarded by the
German and British cruisers. 1t is an old
fashioned structure which was built in the
eighteenth century. Its sides are compara-
lively low and would offer but poor re-
sistance to modern shells. 1t Is not prob
able that the Venezuelan government has
any modern cannon there.
The custom house at Puerto Cabello is
situated on the right. or mainland. side OF
the channel 1t Is long. two-story brick
building, and contains, besides executive
Offices. large warehouses. Steamers dis
charging at Puerto Cabello tie up immedi-
ately in front OF the custom house. The
town itself is fiat and stretches from the
water front inland to the base of the hills
a distance of two or three miles.
The outside harbor at Puerto Cabelo is
hardly more than a large bay. Offering
comparatively little protection to shipping
The inside harbor Is very secure and quite
commodious.