The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-12-16

they had been sunk by the Vineta and
Retribution. At the end OF an hour the
RetrIbution returned to the harbor alone.
tSigned)
"sIGNAL COMMANDER OF THE
FORTRESS"
The fact that the Retribution returned
to la Guaira alone two hours after leav
ing with the captured vessels was con-
firmed by English residents of la Guaira.
Consequently she did not have time to
conduct the Venezuelan ships TO Caracoa
or Trinidad.
PEOPLE FRIGHTENED.
La Guira, Venezuela, Dec. 16.-The ar
rival OF the British cruiser Charybdis and
torpedo boat destroyer Quail here yes
terdsy morning caused bad scare among
the population OF this place. : The com
mander OF the fortress visited the AmUi-
can, Spanish and Dutch consuls and
asked them, in case the British landed
marines TO intervene TO prevent firing on
the fort and to delay any movement upon
the fort, because ne had received orders
from the government to evacuate the
place.
The commander added that II the con-
suls refused to intervene and the fort
was attacked he would defend his post
and could not answer for the conse-
quences to the town. which is without
any defence now except few armed
policemen.
At o'clock. however. the Charybdis
and Quail left La Guira and the fears Of
the populace subsided.
What caused most of the alarm was the
! fact that when the British ships arrived
| here they took up a commanding posi-
| ton, their guns covering the fort and
remained stationary for "A few moments
\ as II about TO open fire. The people
ashore, seeing these movements COM
menced leaving their houses and the
| government officials had great difficulty
! I'm preventing an exodus. But they
1 eventually succeeded In calming the popu-
| lace.
| The Charybdis and the Quail steamed
away In the direction OF Caracas.
WAS NEEDLEssLY EXCITED.
The foreign consuls subsequently callde
| on the prefect who assured them there
was no danger at present. He added that
the commander of the fort had been need
lessly excited and had only succeeded In
| almost causing panic.
The prefect further assured the consus
that the commander of the fort was
| under the orders of General Ferrer. min
| lster OF war who T. I'm charge of the Ven
ezulean forces surrounding the town.
The consuls tried 20 find out II the
! prefect had received any message from
! the allies but they were unsuccessful for
the Venezuelan official would not speak
on the subject. though he promised to
communicate with the consuls IL neces-
sary.
MONROE DOCTRINE RECoGNrzED
Berlin. Dec I6-Thc German govern
! mont has not yet replied TO President
[ Castros offer OF arbitration. being stil'
| I'm correspondence with the British gov
| ernmcnt on the subject. II is intimated
that Germauys reply Is not likely 10 be
/ ready for some days.
The opinion I'm tho cabinet appears &c
| be that President Castro's proposals are
| merely = move In n game designed 20 SEQ
what Germany and Great Britain are now
willing 20 DO and ne test also Of Ameri-
can public feeling The prevailing idea
here IL that N Is too late 10 arbitrate. and
that the acceptance Of the offer 10 do -
would place Germany In the position oi
having put her hand TO the plow and as
looking backward.
The governments concern at the pres
ent moment Is 20 guide the application oi
force so as 10 avoid what could be taker
| internationally as declaration of war
resulting I'm the recognition OF Nenezue'
In as \ beiligerent The conduct OF the
a. s. is regarded In diplomatic opinion
here as being strong and dignihed and