The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-15
PUTS FOOT DOWN.
Uncle Sam Tells Germany,
Through Secretary Hay,
That American Ships Must Not
Be Interfered With.
MAY AVERT FIGHT.
Owing to Energy With Which
Minister Bowen Acted
Castro's Proposition Has Been
Forwarded to London.

Washington, Dec. 15.-Minister Bowen
has confirmed the press reports to the
effect that the guns of the allied fleet
which bombarded Puerto Cabello Sat
urday We're directed entirely at the for
tifications and not at the town.
Regrettabie as it was. this statement
relieves the affair of the first suspicion
that it constituted violation of inter
national law, in the fact that "a hours
notice was not served of the lombard
ment. The requirements as to notice
applies to unfortified or fortified towns
where the fire must be directed upon the
inha bitants. and this was not the case
at Puerto Cabello, so that while the Off
cials here regret that the firing took
place they have as yet no cause to pro-
test. But it is now probable that the
United States will break its attitude of
inactivity in the event that an attemDr
is made to enforce the peaceful block.
ade" toward an American ship. When
the authorities were considering the
ways and means of bringing Venezuela
to terms and a blockade of this char
acter had been decided upon, the Ger
man government informed the United
States that when the blockade was es<
ia blished it would turn back all ship
ping. though no effort would be made to
seize the ships. The United States gov
ernment made no response to this state
ment at this time Qast year,, not feel
ing called upon to do so before presenta-
ton of an actual case. But now that
the blockade is sought to be established,
Secretary Hay has informed the German
government that American ships should
not be interfered with in their trading.
except the inhibition applies to all
shipping, and further the note intimates
a disapproval Of stoppage at all. In So
doing the state department is following
a precedent, for during the effort of the
powers to esta blish IA peaceful block
adP' in Crete IN 1903 Al
formally recorded a fefusal to be boune
by It
1t happened that no American ship
had occa sion to enter a Cretean port
during the brief period of time the
blockade was in force so the issue was
not made then but IN the present case
with regular lines of American steamers
entering Venezuelan ports at short in
tervals, a test case may soon follow. 1t
is within the legal right Sf the allies to
close these ports, out probably this can
be accomplished without a protest on
our part only after a formal declaration
of war. The hope is growing here that
such a declaration can after all be
averted owing to the energy with which
Mr.. Bowen has acted. The proposal of
President Castro to the allied powers
for a peaceful settlement was suggested
by Mr. Bowen, and it came to the state
department through his hands. 1t has
been forwarded TO London and Berlin
through the embassies here and as both
Great Britain and Germany have here
tOfore profeSsed a desire to settle the
Issues peacea bly,. it is hoped that they
viii avail of this opportunity. The pro-
posaI did not mention the method OF
arbitration, nor the limitations and the
point of doubt which may prevent the
acceptance of the scheme is believed to
be Castros unwillingness to bind him
self in advance to the recognition of the
principle of la bility; he would leave the
arbitrators to determine whether or not
he is liable at all.
A REPORT DENIED.
Rome. Dec. 15.-The statement pub
lished in the United States today that
Signor Dirravi, the minister of Italy at
Caracas, had gone on board the Italian
cruiser Giovanni Bausan at La Guayra
was incorrect.
SUPPORTED BY UNITED STATES
London, Dec. 15.-It was learned this
evening that the proposals now before
the British government are the original
proposals forwarded by Minister Bowen.
support from the United States govern
ment.
ENGLAND DENIES RESPONSE
BILITY.
London Dec 15.=The under foreign
secretary, Lord Cranborne. denied in the
house of commons today that the Brit
ish commander was responsible for the
sinking of the Venezuelan ships.
The under secretary said his majesty's
government had been informed that the
German commodore found it necessary
to sink two ships. but Great Britain was
not responsible for this. Mr.. Schwann.
advanced liberal. then moved an ad-
journment to discuss the Venezuelan
matters. The motion will be discussed
at o'clock this evening.
FLYING GERMAN FLAG.
Berlin, Dec. 15.-Lieut Commander
Tuerk, first officer of the German cruis-
er GaZelle. has taken command of the
captured Venezuelan gunboat Restau-
rador, which is now flying the German
fia1- So soon as the Restaurador has
Spain she will be used in the operations
against Venezuela.
SHOUT LONG LIVE CASTRO"
Guayaquil. Ecuador, Dec. 15.=A A pa
triot demonstra ton took place last
night. A large number of people who
Venezuelan and to all the other South
American consulates shouting Long
live Castro" Long live Venezuela" and
Long live the South American coun-
tries"
The participants in the demonstration
before dispensing adopted a resolution
asking President Plaz to protest Off
powers.
ITALY SENDS A WAR SHIP.
Rome, Dec. liking Victor EN-
manuel who is keenly interested in the
Venezuela trouble and the attitude of
the United States. today received in
private audience Captain Boret, who is
leaving tonight to take command of the
zuela. The knig expressed the hope that
a satisfactory solution of the questions
would be found but said he was sure
the Italian sailors would do honor to
their country in all events
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