The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-18

VIII yield 10 the allies aeIndnuS. The leading merchants and agricutural- ists of Caracas addressed joint note to President Castro at 1 o'clock this after noon, asking him to give full powers to United States Minister Bowen to effect termination of the present difficulty. The note reflects thoroughly the consensus Of current opinion among the business ele- ment of this city. The men who signed the note will meet again tonight to dis cuss any ways and means of obtaining money which Venezuela can meet her obligation, as well as the guarantees which it will be possible to offer to her creditors. The note is as follows:
 Caracas. December 1T, 1902. gro the President of the United States of Venezuela:
 "Sir-The undersigned having met with the purpose of offering their air to the government of Venezuela in the present conflicting situation. which has been created by the aggressive attitude of Ger many and Breat Britain, and upon your request to give our opinions in writing, we address you in the following terms: Tn view of the acts of violence already committed and of the absolute import ance of Venezuela to meet force with force in response to the allied action of Germany and Great Britain. In view of the fact that Venezuela has exhausted all the means required by civilization and diplomacy to put an end to the present situation, and the government and the people of Venezuela having complied hon. orably and worthily to the demands of national honor, we consider, with all due respect that the moment to yield to force has arrived.
 We therefore, respectfully recommend that full powers be given to the Minister of the United States of North America, authorizing him to carry out proper measures to terminate the present con tlict in the manner least prejudicial to the interests of Venezuela.
 We subscribe ourselves your obedient servants,
 "J. E. LINAREZ,
 I'll. BOULTON,
 CARLOS SANTANA,
 "NICOMEDES ZULOAGA,
 CARLOS ZULOAGA,
 "F. DE SALES,
 PEREZ MONTABIN,
 M. CHAPPELIN,
 JUAN HERRERA,
 JUAN A. A. TRAVLESO,
 "YDJE PAUL"
 In addition to the names given the note is signed by about 200 other promi- nent citizens of Caracas.
 BITTERNESS AND SORROW
 PERVADES THE COUNTRY. The awakening of the Venezuelan peo- pie to the present situation of their coun- try is accompanied by feelings of bitter ness and sorrow. Their fleet has been destroyed and their pride has been deep ly wounded, but they are resigned to &C., cept the affront which they consider has been offered them by the allies. During the last ten days President Cas- tro has acted with extraordinary energy. He has transformed the entire country into a vast camp, having raised more than 40 O00 men whom he has well armed equipped and transported from every direction to La Guayra and Puerto Cabel- To, in the expectation that the allies would attempt to land at one or both of these points. But there has been change of feeling and the prominent men of Venezuela who were at one time ready to lead the people in defense of their country now consider that justifica- tion to take men of the republic away from their families and their work does not exist. They have resolved to dis cover means tn bring about arbtra- ticn or at least with the allies. The means sought is thought to lie through the United States legation, and satisfactory results are on every hand expected to follow.
 A member of the ministry said to the correspondent of the Associated Press: "The Ulited States has not prevented the allies from assailing us, but it has