The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-04
VENEZUELA LOOKS
IN MOUTH OF GUNS
Germany and England Begins
Primitive Measures.
WAR VESSELS ARRIVED
In Case a Financial Arrangement Is
Not Effected at Washington II Is
Probable castro's Agents
VIII Have to Submit.

London, December s.-Great Britain
and Germany, according to official state
ments made here, have commenced puni-
tive measures against Venezuela. Ger
man war vessels, 1t is stated, are al
ready on the scene of the contemplated
action. and Great Britain by tomorrow
should have a squadron there capable
of coping with any resistance that Ven
ezuela might offer.
Meanwhile the Associated Press corre-
spondent is informed no definite answer
has yet been received from Washington
by the flnanciers here who wish to bring
about pacific settlement. An important
communication, one way or the other, is
expected from washington tomorrow. If
the United States is willing to guaran-
tee it's normal support to the request
that Venezuela be allowed time to full
fill the suggested bargain, the plans
thereof will at once be submitted to the
British foreign office. If Washington re-
fuses to suggest to the European that
Venezuela be allowed time, it is prob
oble that the financial houses now inter-
ested. will drop the plan altogether.
VIII Rave to Submit
In the latter alternative the Venezuelan
delegation here Is likely to submit the
suggested settlement to the British and
German government with an application
for time to admit of their entering into
negotiations with other financial inter-
ests.
The Venezuelan delegates maintain
that their status has been seriously af-
fected by the adoption of the aggressive
measures announced today, but they de-
clare that 1t would be obviously bad pol
Icy, in spite of the critical attitude of
the United States, both as a joint cred
itor and a largely interested political
| power, had been ascertained.
The Associated Press correspondent is
in a position to state that Venezuela Of
i fers the payment on unified line of over
| $1,000, 600. interest yearly, guaranteed by
the custefas with the establishment of an
European bank at Caracas to superin-
tend the collection. The whole plan is on
a basis similar to that on which Brazil
satisfied its European creditors.
Can Eventually Meet Claims.
If such a method Is now followed, the
Venezuelan delegation maintains that all
claims can eventually be met, whereas II
alleges that the temporary seizure of the
customs would so disturb the commerce
OF the country as 10 prdCtlcdlly iehuei ~
impossible to satisfy the European bond
holders and would bring with it the dan
ger of another revolution.
All these details are still unknown tc
the powers, who have ordered their war
ships to Venezuela In spite of the an
nouncement of joint action by Great Bri-
/ tain and Germany, the British ministry
exhibits not little perplexity over the
Berlin dispatch, December /. announcing
that President Castro had handed to the
German minister at Caracas written
acceptance of part of Germanys claims,
i sufficiently comprehensive to delay the
presentation of joint ultimatum by Ger
| many and Great Britain. If not rendering
1t altogether unnecessary, and also stat
ing that 1t was understood that Great
Britains demands would be satisfied. Not
the slightest official information to this
effect has reached London.