Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-12-12
Castro Asks Arbitration.

Washington. Dec. 12.-According TO
dispatch received by the State De-
partment from Minister Bowen this
morning, President Castro has requested
him to ask Germany and Great Britain
that the difficulties arising out OF the
claims for alleged damages and injuries
to German and British subjects during
the civil wars in Venezuela be submitted
to arbitration.
President Castro's proposition is re-
garded at the State Department as capa-
Bile of two interpretations In fear OF
another revolution among his own peo-
pie he may have decided to surrender.
The second Interpretation, which IS re-
garded as being more likely to be cor
rect, as that Castro is playing for more
time. The Secretary of State has wired
Minister Bowen permission to grant
President Castro's request. In submit
ting the proposition to Great Britain and
Germany, however, he is not to act in
any sense as the Representative OF the
United States. The Venezuelan sltua-
ton was again discussed by the Cabinet
at its regular meeting today. 1t was de-
cided that no change in the policy of the
! United States was necessary and that,
for the present at least, the naval repre-
sentation of this country on the Vene-
zuelan coast would not be increased.
Berlin, Dec. l2.-It is stated officially
today that there is no truth in the dis
patch that the show of fight by Presi-
dent Castro will induce Germany to oc-
cupy territory. The German forces will
not advance into the interior, it is an
nounced, nor will they try to capture
Castro. They will merely maintain the
blockade.
Paris, Dec. 12.-An official of the
foreign Office said today, regarding the
situation in Venezuela, that, in his
opinion, the state of affairs there need
| give no anxiety to other nations, as the
present difficulties would prove rather
profitable than otherwise to those COM
mercially interested.
La Guayra, Venezuela, Dec. 12.-
The government, it is stated here today,
has seized all the German and English
railroads and the telephones.
London, Dec. 12.--The London
Evening Star says today: at is an i'm
portant fact that our foreign policy is in
the hands of the German Emperor.
When he paid his famous visit to San
dringham, it was pretty clear that he
was allowed to annex our foreign office.
The first result of this is the ridiculous
mess in Venezuela. We have searched
vainly for any tangible reason why we
are at war with Venezuela. 1t was be-
gun in the dark at Sandringham, and
the affair is being prosecuted in the
dark. 1t is said we are sinking gun
boats in order to collect paltry debt OF
$40, 600 and to punish Castro for his
'Castronony.' "
London, Dec. 12.-There is a grow
ing fear in political circles here that the
trouble with Venezuela is going to be
far more serious than anybody expected
when the first steps to arrange settle.
ment of England's and Germany's
claims were taken. The Birmingham
Post this morning says: 'The comic
opera aspect of the difficulty does moi
blind close observers to the dangers
living beneath it. England and Ger
many are bound to have their own way
so far as preliminaries are concerned,
but they are only entering the wood
France and America may both have
something to say, as is not obscurely
limited in certain quarters here, before
they emerge from it."
London, Dec. l2.-The British gov
eminent disclaims responsibility for the
sinking of the Venezuelan vessels, which
it attributes to the German lorces.
Caracas, Venezuela, Dec. 12.-Th(
governor of Caracas has issued the fol
lowing decree: "All Venezuelans hv
ing in the federal district, between the
ages of Is and 80 years, must enrol
themselves in the militias."