The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1902-12-26
SEIZE TIE SHIPS
England and Germany Unite
Against Venezuela
TAKE CHARGE OF CUSTOMS
sqaadrOns Enter Ia Guira Harbor and
Situation CrItaeal-AdmiraI Dewey
With His Big Fleet at Hand =
and Ready II Needed

dispatch from London says that a
dispatch has been received from Cara
cas-, Venezuela, which says: '-The con-
blned British and German fleet today
tIuesday) seized the Venezuelan feet,
composed of four warships. in the har-
Dor Of La Guaira, 1t is reported also
that an ultimatum viii be delivered
Wednesday asking for an answed and
compliance with the demand Of Brit
ish and German ministers"
The admiralty has received informa-
ton Of the seizure Of the Venezuelan
gunbOat bolivar at Port Of Spain. Is
land Of Trinidad.
At 1920 O'Clock. in response to an in
quiry made at the foreign Office. q rep
resentative Of the Associated press was
Informed that up 10 Z O'Clock this
evening no information Of an official
character had been received from Ven
eZuela, everything being left to the
commander Of the British feet, who
had received explicit instructions as 70
what course to pursue.
A Washington, Dec. 10. dispatch
says; The state department has been
advised that peaceful blockade" ex-
lists at La GUaira, which is the port
OF Caracas. the capital Of Venezuela
The difference between this state and
a stare Of war is not very strongly
markell, except in the opportunity Of
fered By the peaceful blockade to effect
settlement without recourse to actual
blOOdshed- The situation is here re-
garded as critical The big feet OF
American vessels under Admiral
Dewey, is at hand, ready for whatever
service may be needed
Minister Bowen at Caracas. has &C
cepted the trust placed upon him to
look after the interests OF the British
and German citizens at Venezuela and
this has brought him into a conflicI
with President Castro He has IN
formed the state department that q
number Of these citizens were arrested
yesterday in Caracas.
Mr. Bowen at once addressed him
self TO President Castro, TO secure their
release He represented that he had
been charged with the care OF the
British and German subject in Venezu-
Ella. but President Castro was. I'M
willing at first TO recognize has an
thOrity- Finally the minister convinced
him that he was acting within his
rights and President Castro consented
with reluctance 10 release the principal
prisoners
Mr. Bowen viii insist upon the re-
lease OF the remainder. Nothing in his
report to the state department indi-
Gates the reason for the arrest Of these
foreigners except that they were Ger
mans OF British ThiTty-twO shall be
acceptable TO the British and German
representatives This attitude is said
to be consistent with that assumed bv
the United States government in many
preceding international troubles in
which her good Offices have been
evoked
The trouble has IT'S origin in the
neglect or refusal Of Venezuela to paw
Great Britain and Germany indemnf-
ties claimed for property seized and
abuse Of foreign residents.
Practically a state Of war exists at
Caracas and La Guaira.
President Castro. in communica-
ton, says the acts of Germany and
Great Britain are hostile and calls on
Venezuela to take up arms.