Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-31

being Systematically aided and abetted by
foreign residents Of that country. This
threw him into constant clashes with these
residents. who claim protection from their
home countries.
Complaints were constantly being made
by these foreign residents to their home
governments, who in turn made representa-
tons Of remonstrance to President Castro
at his treatment Of their subjects. In one
case he seized the railroad which had been
built by German capitalists because Of their
refusal to transport troops. To these rep
reservations President Castro gave little
heed. The representatives Of several Eu-
ropean countries complained Of his scant
courtesy toward them and France withdrew
her minister on that account.
Matters were finally brought to focus
when. after visit by Emperor William
Of Germany to King Edward Of England it
was announced that those governments had
formed an alliance to send warships to
Venezuelan ports and collect the claims due
the citizens of those two governments by
seizure Of the custom houses If Castro still
remained obdurate.
In due course these vessels arrived at the
coast Of Venezuela and going into the har-
Dor of La Guaira seized four vessels which
belonged to the Venezuelan government and
which had been used for war purposes.
They were taken to sea and supposedly
sunk except one, a converted yacht of some
formidableness. which was taken by the
German admiral and the German flag hoist
ed on her and crew of German blue jack
cts put in charge.
A great protest went up from the govern
ments Of South America at this summary
action of the allies. Many public men in
this country declared that the course was
unprecedented and not warranted under in
ternational law. Feeling over the incident
was beginning to become acute. The news
papers and many of the public men Of the
country pointed out the gravity Of the sit
uation and insisted that some measures
more peaceful should be adopted to try to
bring about settlement Of the difficulties.
In this emergency the President suggested
The Hague tribunal as the proper place
for the adjustment Of the trouble. England
and Germany came back with a counter
proposition that the President act as ar
bitrator. Venezuela readily agreed to this,
and for some time 1t was thought that the
President was disposed to act in this ca
pacity. but he finally reconsidered his inten-
ton in this respect, and all parties to the
trouble finally agreed to adopt the Presi-
dents first suggestion and refer the whole
question to the international peace tribunal.
END OF THE BoER WAR.
After war which had lasted two and
half years and which. in many respects.
was the most remarkable war in history,
met General Kitchener in the early part Of
June and signed a convention ending hos
tilities. Considering the disparity in the
strength Of the two armies 1t Is supposed
that England made exceedingly favorable
terms to the men who had caused her SO
much loss in life and treasure.
The two republics, Of course, lost their
nationality.
The British war office gave out a state
ment in February to the effect that their
total losses in the war with the Beers had
been 25,3O5 men. while the casualties were
5,24O officers and 100, 7O1 men. Another es-
innate says the war cost Great Britain
$4,000 in killed and $1,000 invaded home
The money cost Of the war was put at
$500 900 900.
1t was stated in London that the termina-
ton of the war on such favorable terms to
the Beers was due to the personal effort
Of King Edward, who wished the country
to be at peace the time OF his corona ton,
which was then nearly due.
After the cessation of hostiities the Boer
generals who had won distinction in the
field, like Botha, DeWet and Delarey, paid
exPresident Kruger visit at The Hague
They also visited King Edward at Cowes
and subsequently paid a visit to the United
States.
Lord Kitcheners return to England after
the war was made the occasion for a great
popular demonstration.
CORONATION OF KING EDWARD.
King Eward Of England whose corona
ton was set for June 90 was taken sud
denly Ill at the last moment, and an opera
ton performed for appendicitis. This
caused great deal of trouble and annoy
ance to the people of London who had gone
to great expense for the ceremony, as well
as TO many visitors who had repaired to
London expecting to see the most gorgeous
coronation ceremony since the time of Anne
Bolyn. The United States sent the battle
ship Illinois. a delegation consisting of
Rear Admiral Watson, Gen. J. H. Wilson
and Consul General H. Clay Evans to rep
resent this government at the function.
The king was subsequently crowned in
hAvOp1 a a
view at Cowes, the final coronation lacked
nearly everything OF what was expected
and intended in the beginning.
PRINCE HENRY's VISIT.
One OF the notable events of the year was
the visit of Prince Henry OF Prussia VINO
arrived in New York in the latter part of
February. He was entertained at dinner
by the President. feted by various socie-
ties in this city and New York, and then
made tour through the west, where he
was everywhere received with the utmost
cordiality. While here he attended the
launching OF the Meteor, yacht built for
his brother. the Emperor of Germany, and
which was christened by Miss Alice Roose-
welt.
WHO WERE OUR FRIENDS. p,
A most interesting controversy took place
between the courts Of Europe and Of Great
Britain over the question as to who was
the pest friend or the United States during
| the war with Spain. 1t started in Austria,
| where 1t was alleged that the attitude of
Great Britain, while nominally friendly
| was covertly unfriendly. 1t was alleged
| that the British ambassador in Washington
| was the author of joint proposal to the
! powers to intervene; that the powers with
| the exception Of Russia. agreed to do so;
| but Russia's firm and decided stand against
| anything OF the sort brought failure to the
| whole proposition.
| This statement was promptly and firmly
| denied by the British foreign Office Then
| followed a long controversy. in which it
| was plainly manifest that the good wishes
| Of the United States was thing not to be
! lightly thrown aside.
AMERICAN COMBINATIONS.
| The year 1902 will always be regarded as
a notable one in the history Of great bust
| ness achievements and financial combina-
| tons. Following the great railway merger
| Of the Northern Pacific and Great North
| ern group, came the news OF other railway
combinations on a scale Of magnit ude quite
! as great. and all this was crowned by j. p.
| Morgan's enterprise in securing control OF
| a good part Of the Atlantic carrying trade
| The announcement of Mr.. Morgan's grea,
| feat caused CONSERVATION in financial
| circles Of Europe, and the term American
| INVASION" which had come to be 30 com.
mon. was still more frequently used than
| ever before.
The following telegram from Chicago or
the last day Of the year u interesting II