The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1902-12-17
The Lexington Dispatch
Wednesday, December IL, 1902.
Ships are Sunk !
Special to the State.

Washington, December 11-De,
velopments in the Venezuelan situa-
tion have been 80 rapid within the
past week that the situation has al
ready reached the acute stage, not
only as regards the Caracas govern
ment, but for the United States as
we'll. President Castro and the
Washington authorities have never
been on the best of terms and the
hope has been cherished in the high
est official circles here that he would
go down before the re7olutionists.
Castro, however, has more than held
his own; in some way he has managed
TO crush the revolution at almost
every point until now Ciudad BoliVer
is the only important stronghold still
in their hands and this is expected to
fall within week.
Exasperated by his promise to pay
the claims against his government
held by Great Britisn and Germany,
promises which have never resulted
in cash, but only in continued delay,
the London and Berlin governments
determined more than month ago
to bring matters to crisis in view of
Castro's assurances that the revolu
tion was well nigh crushed Accord
ingly, acting under advices from their
respective foreign Offices, DR.. Won
Holleben, the German ambassador,
and Sir Michael Herbert, the British
ambassador, called at the State de-
partment some three weeks ago at
separate times and made the formal
request that in the event of a serious
turn in the Venezuelan affairs Minis
ter Bowen, the United States minis
ter at Caracas be permitted to pro-
tect the lives and property Of the
German and English subjects in Ven
ezuela. It is the ipvariable custom
among powers to perform this SER
vice for friendly nation involved in
any international dispute and the
Secretary Of State cordially assured
the ambassadors that their request
would be granted. This was fully
three weeks ago. Since that time
Great Britain and Germany have
sent namerous notes to President
Castro, who, il is claimed, has COM
pletely ignored them. Indeed it is
said that the representations Of the
two powers have not somueh as been
acknowledged. An ultimatum was
issued Monday giving Venezuela 48
hours to answer the London and
Berlin notes. I'm the meantime for
midable British German feet was
assembled off Lagusyra and on
Tuesday President Castro departed
from the precedent of all civilized
countries and issued decree that
every German and British subject in
Caracas be arrested at once. This
action has involved the United States
in an ugly situation. Having prom
ised TO protect German and British
rights in Castro's capital it was in
cumbens on Mini ster Bowen to de-
mand the immediate surrender of
the person arresteds.
Their release was refused, and setting
under instructions from their respec-
tive governments the German and
English ambassadors made prepara-
tions for the immediate inforcement
of their demands BY force.
On Tuesday'afternoon the combined
German and British fleet seized and
towed outside the ha1bor at Lagusyra
all the Venezuelan vessels there
four warships, msnped BY $50 men.
The next day the commander Of the
British feet sent an ultimatum to
President Castro at Caracas demand
ing the payment within 40 hours of
S345, 900 to Great Britain and Ger
many in oettlemeot Of claims. The
settlement not being made, the
Venezuelan vessels were sunk, the
sailors having been first taken off