Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-17
Believes That All Western Republics Are
Greatly Interested in Affair,
THINKS MANY CLAIMS ARE EXAGGERATED
Declares Germany Has Net Made Legal
Argument, but Simple Demands.
KAISER SUGGESTS COURT OF ARBITRATION
Thinks Conference should De Held BE-
tween German Diplomatic Agent
and Venezuelan Minister to
Eject a Settlement.

NEW YORK, Aug. 16.-The Herald's cor
respondent at Willemstad, Curacao,
cables that a memorandum has been de-
livered to the German minister in Cara
cas-, Venezuela, and conhdentially to the
representatives Of all the friendly powers.
This memorandum was an answer to the
note transmitted last December by Am
bassador Won Holleben to the United
States government.
The German note was not ofncially
known to President Castro until the
present time. The kaisers government
in the note informed the United States OF
it's intention to occupy Venezuelan port,
in order to enforce the payment of Ger
man claims
President Castro's answer to that note
is noted by members of his government
as a strong document. He contends that
Germany has not respected Venezuela's
right TO legislate both for Venezuelan citl
zens and for foreigners residing in Vene-
zuela. Castro insists that the claims Of
the Germans and other foreigners for
damages during the civil wars should be
presented to and decided only by Vene-
zuelan courts.
Germany maintains that satisfaction can
not be obtained in that way, owing to the
we'll known and peculiar characteristics
of Venezuelan courts, which are President
Castro's instruments.
The kaiser's government contends that
the claims should be settled by conferences
between German diplomatic agent and
the Venezuelan minister of foreign affairs,
and in case OF disagreement the matter
should be referred to The Hague interna-
tional court of arbitration.
President Castro's memorandum declares
that the German claims nave been eAak-
ZQTated and pnntaina n LIST NJ
to authorities on international law to sup
port the governments arguments.
1t is declared that Germany has not
made legal argument, but simply a series
| of demands, to the validity of which Vene-
zuela objects.
In conclusion, the Venezuelan memoran-
dunn says the government presents to the
German empire and to the friendly powers
It's protest against-the, IDEAS. imputations
ana purposes of the German note OF De-
cember IL, and declares that this protest
| is necessary.
1t asserts that Venezuela. as an inde-
pendent nation. objects to the motive OF
Ambassador Holleben's Communication to
the United States government, and consid-
ers that the note, In its political aspect
| and general character, affects the integrity
Of the rights of the American hemisphere
an integrity which all American republics
must uphold, and for the strengthening Of
which two international congresses have
met through the influence of the United
States.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16.-American in
terests in Venezuela are being guarded
carefully by the navy. A cablegram was
received at the Navy department reporting
the arrival Of the Cincinnati at La Guayra.
Another dispatch reported the arrival this
| nOrninR Of TOnaka at Curacao
Castro still Holds Porto CabeIIo,
Definite information was received at the
Navy department from Commander Nickels
Of Topeka, dated Porto Cabello, which cor
rected the Misrepresentation which arose out
OF the garbled dispatches received Thursday
last. from which the department assumed
and announced that Porto Cabello had
| fallen into the hands of the revolutionists.
Yesterday when it appeared from more
careful study of the dispatches that a DOS
sible miseonstruction had been placed upon
1t. Acting Secretary Darling cabled Com
| mander Nickels asking whether the de-
| partment's construction was correct A re-
ply dated yesterday received this morning.
| read as follows: mo. Everything is quiet
at Porto Cabello VIII sail for Curacao for
coal and stores and start tonight A Ger
man man-of-war will remain here during
| the absence"
1t is apparent from the above dispatch
that the forces of Castro still hold Porto
Cabello. Topeka sailed last night in ac-
cordance with advices sent by Commander
Nickels and according to a dispatch re-
ceived today arrived at Curacao, which is
only a few hours run from Porto Cabello.
After taking coal and supplies aboard he
will return to Porto Cabelo- and IN the
meantime the German warship will look
after American. German and other foreign
interests at that port
The cruiser Cincinnati left Barcelona last
night and arrived at La Guayra today.
Commander Mclean in reporting his arrival
stated that he had left everything quiet at
Barcelona. Both Cincinnati and Marietta
are now at La Guayra. No information has
been received from Commander Mclean as
to his reasons for leaving Barcelona at this
time. Under general instructions he is
permitted to go where his presence may
seem necessary, but generally speaking his
movements are practically under control
Of the American minister.
Two warships on the Scene.
Several days ago Minister Bowen was tel
egraphing in all directions for a warship 70
come to La Guayra and on Thursday he re-
ported to the State department that he had
been unable to reach either Marietta or
Cincinnati. II Is surmised that he finally
secured communication with both OF them
about the same time and that both Com
mander Mclean OF Cincinnati and Com
mander Rogers OF Marietta hastened to re-
spond to his urgent appeal. The result is
he now has two ships at his service
The United States minister at Caracas,
Venezuela, has telegraphed the Department
| Of State that he has reliable information
to the effect that there is no blockade OF
the ports OF Carupano. Cano Colorado and
La Guayra. At Ciudad Bolivar. however,
the blockade is effective. The government
troops have shown great courtesy to non
combatants in the orinoco region and re-
ports say that reyolutionists have been
equally masnanimous at Ciudad Bolivar.
where food supplies are plenty.
The foregoing dispatch probably refers TO