Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-12-17
STRENUOUS BILL
COLLECTORS
British and German War Ships Busy
Shooting uItimatums and Cold
Lead Into Venezuela.
ARBITRATION IS TALKED OF
Venezuelan Navy Captured and Sunk
Forts Sileneed and General
uproar Prevailing.

Washington, Dec. 15.-The Associ-
ated Press has reason to believe that
orders viii, or have been, sent to the
British commander in Venezuelan
waters to take no further aggressive
action at present, pending decision
being arrived at on proposal for ar
bitration. This came in the form of
a proposal through the United States
government to submit the claims of
the British and German subjects to
arbitration, which Lord Lansdowne
announced later in the day in the
house of lords as now under consid.
GRAFTON by the British government y
Lord Lansdowne added: I'VE are
greatly indebted to the good offices
of the United States minister at Car.
acas."
South and Central American diplo
matte representatives here are in q
state of anxiety that finds expression
in frequent calls at the state depart.
ment for information. No less than
SIX ministers were among Secretary
Hays visitors today, although this was
not a diplomatic receiving day.
Secretary Hay was in conference at
the White House for short time with
the president today regarding yenexu.
elan affairs. Senator Colon and rep.
resentatiye Hit, the heads of the two
committees on foreign affairs of con.
gress, also saw the president but 1t
was stated that little attention was
given to Venezuela.
Among the senators and represen
tatives who have discussed the Ven
ezuelan question with President Roose
velt. the situation Is regarded as ser
ious, but 1t is not believed likely that
the United Stxtes will become involv.
ed in the controversy.
The situation in Venezuela is caus
ing considerable comment among SEN
ators and there are indications that
a resolution of inquiry may be intro.
duced at an early date. Theis pro.
ceeding in all probability would have
been instituted today but for the fact
that assurances were received from
the state department that this infor'
nation is quite meager. II the sub
ject should come up 1t will be quick.
ly dealt with in executive session.
Puerto Cabel1o, Saturday, Dec. 49,
The British cruiser Charybdis and
the German cruiser N.neta have bonn.
barded the fortress here. They
quickly siIenced the fort.
The captain of the English merchant
steamer Topaze which Was seized by
a mob last Wednesday. visited the
English commander on board the
Charybdis and returned an hour lat
er with a detachment of so marines
who took charge OF the Topaze. The
populace was greatly excited at this
incident and raised the cry, "To
Arms" but no accident occurred.
The English commander then sent
a demand to the authorities for i'm
mediate satisfaction for having pull
ed down the British flag from the
Topaze. and advised the government
that If satisfaction was not forthcom
ing in two hours the fortress and Gus
tom house would be bombarded. The
authorities, on the receipt of this de
IN nj
Castro, asking for instructions.
At s o'clock the Charydbis and
Vineta opened fire on the fortress and
custom house. The fort replied, but
was soon silenced. No damage wal
done to the town.
The United States consul went or
board the two cruisers and was in
formed by their commanders that they
had come to this port In search o.
Venezuelan war ships.
La Guayra, Venezuela, Dec. TO-
Ten German and four British cutters
captured the Venezuelan feet yes
terday. They went alongside the yes
sells and ordered them to surrender
and without a shot being fired tn,
British and German forces seized tn
vessels in the name of the German
emperor and the king of England
Two OF the five vessels, which ar
undergoing repairs, were broken up
The German cruiser Panther steam
ed into the harbor during these pro
ceedings with her decks cleared TO
action. The Venezuelan steamer
were taken outside the harbor nd a
2 o'clock this morning the Genera
Crespo, Tutmo and Margarita wer
sunk. and the Ossun was the only yes
sci spared, in view of the protes
made by the French charge. who not
flied the commodore of the allie,
feet that the Ossun is the propert.
cI a Frenchman.
At 10:30 last night 300 German sal
lors were landed and proceeded 4
Cardonel, suburb of Lac eGuayra II
which is situated the residence o
German Consul Lentz. who with hi
family were escorted to La Guayri
and placed on board the war shil
Vineta. On their way to this port tn
German sailors met a party of Vene
zuelan soldiers but no collision tool
place.