The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-14
VENEZUELA CONSIDERS 1T WAR.
Consul 1T British Island OF Trinidad Is
Withdrawn.

De partment did not receive any informa :
lion to-day from Minister Bowen at Cara =
cas- or any other American official in Nenc-
zuela. II did get some important news from
another source. which has a very marke d
bearing on the status Of the relations be-
tween Venezuela and the two European
nations that ore attempting TO coerce that
Government into paying indemnities de-
nanded tor injuries Inflicted on and debts
due TO English and German subjects.
VENEZUELA wIrHDBAws A CoSsCI
This infor nation came from Alvin Smith,
the United States Consul a. Port Of Span ,
in the British Island Of Trinidad. which
Is hot far from the Venezuelan coast. In
iis telegram Mr. Smith said that tho Venr-
Hiclan Consul at Port Of spain has close d
his Ot'ic. and Withdrawn. The action Of
the Venezuelan Consular represer4 alive Is
extremely important as indicating a sever
dnc" Of all relations between Nenezuea
and the two European powers, thus CreaCng
condition which exists only. except in
rare Instances, during he prevalence vi
war
While Consul Smith does not say so in
.iS despatch, no doubt l. felt at the State
Department that the Venezuela represen-
tative at Port of Spain acted under tho in
-patches to the State Department from
Minister Bowen have indicated that Prcsi-
dent Castro considers that a state OF act ual
var exists, and the advices from Consul
Smith bear out this understanding
The withdrawal from Caracas of the
English Minister and the German Charge
d ATai,s did not. in itself. constitu. q
declaration that the two European govern
mants rega rded themselves a. engaged in
war with Venezuela. It constituted "a
virtual severance Of diplomatic relations
which is usually preliminary to the begin
ming of hostilites, but not severance OF
all relations. which must follow q declara-
ton of war The withdrawal however,
II Venezuelan consular officers from their
posts III the possessions Of Great Britain
and Germany means a breaking Of every
10 that binds the South American republic
to it, powerful European enemies.
IHA%KS FOR MINISTER HowEN's AID
Sir Michael Herbert the British Ambas-
>sdor. and Herr Won Holebon. the German
Ambassador. have formally expressed 20
the state Department the appreciation of
their Governments Of the good service,
rendered by Minister Bowen in behalf Of
the Englshmen and Germans who were
arrested In Caracas 10y President Cast 70 :
order and released a,ter Mr.. Bowen had
convinced Castro that their detention was
contrary to the practice Of civilized nations
engaged III war. All the kilograms received
nj the state Department from Minister
Bowen have been sent to the embassies of
Great Britain and Germany and trans
miued 10y the Ambassadors TO London and
Berlin. This was done a. Mr., Bowen, a.
the representative of British and German
interests in Venezuela, Is the only source OF
Information which these Government, have
in regard ,o the situation.
NO REPLY TO ARBITRATION OFFER
No RESPONSE has been received by the
state Department from England or Ger
many 10 the offer Of President Castro,
Transmitted through Mr.. Bowen and the
Department, to submit the differences If
Nen"zu"la and her enemies 10 tribunal
of arbitration, Should arbitration be the
ultimate result Of the present lrnbrogio.
the State Department, it If underst cod
will insist upon the right to know the terms
OF the arbitration protocol This is re-
| gardcd a. measure necessary to safe
| guard the interests Of the United States,
| as the agreement, 10 submit the differences
| Of the two European countries and tie
| South American republic To arbitration
| might contain provisions permitting the
| tribunal 10 render judgment that would
| tie in conflict with the Monroe Ductr ine
A. an example of whav might occur
| il was suggested to-day that the terms Of
| the protocol might be- of such 4 character
| that the tribunal Of arbitration could award
| Germany AMI England tn" privil eye of
| acquiring sites for coaling stat ions in
Venezuela, IN satisfaction OF their Claims
| II was declared by an official Of ia Govern.
| iuent ,who has thorough knowledge Of what
| President Roosevelt thinks ON tn. subject
| that the United States would not consent
to the ACQUISITION of any Venezuelan terri
| tory by either Of the Europcan Powers
| even for ~" only a place to keep pile
| = coal for its naval vessels
SINKING or SHIPS CONDEMNED.
The impression given in a semi-official
| uttcrance Of the German Government
| that the United States Government is in,
| sympathy with the efforts of England and
| Germany in their coerCive measures against
| Venezuela is not correct.
| II Is tnie that the attitude Of President
| Castro during the Bermude7 asphalt con
| troversy toward the United States and +.
| B. IOomis, then the American Ministe,
! az Caracas, gave great offence to tho Admin
| i.'ration, which naturally had ho kindly
! feelings toward the doughty South Arncri-
| can.
1t is. PERHAPS, not beyond the truth TO
| sav that in the recent Venezuelan reyoh,-
! ton the hope was felt here that Castro
| would lose Even when the English and
Germans Undertook to carry cut their
cpcrcive measlrcs at Ia Guayrn Castro :
| plight did not excite sympathy among
| officers, for ii was believed that he do
served to be taught a lesson that might
| bring good results in the future But
when the Government learned of the
seizure and apparently wantoh dsst rue
ton Of Venezuelan g,Tnloats before there
| had been any declaration Of war, the feel
| ing here changed considerably: and IL
| may now he said that while Castro IL not
| loved more. the efforts ~ his enemies to