The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-11
VENEZUELA WI. FIGHT.

an officer and 80 men letter to
the captain of the BesiS ar, informing
him that he must not leave the harbor
of Port of Spain without British per-
mission. He further intimated that re-
sistance would be useless, whereupoh
Lieut., HuTtado on behalf of the captain
of the Bolivar who Us absent, surren-
dered, and the commander of the Char
rybdis placed a crew aboard the Boil
var The officers of the Venezuelan gun
boat accepted an offer to land here.
VENEZUELA PROTESTS.
Paris, Dec. 11.-A Venezuelan govern
ment communication to its representa-
tive protests that Great Britain and
Germany acting in connection have
committed an act of hostility in man
ner as arbitrary as ii is unprecedented
by the seizure of Venezuelan vessels ly-
ing at La Guayra. The communication
says that indignation in Venezuela is at
its height and the government is resort
ing to justifiable reprisals. 1t has ar
rested the resident subject of both hos
tile country and seized the railroad and
other undertaking belonging to them.
At the same time adds the communfca-
ton President Castro has appealed to
the Venezuelan people TO take up arms
He has decreed a general amnesty for
all political offenses and have ordered
the restitution of the conf1scated proper
ty of Venezuelan citizens.
NO MONEY IN SIGHT.
London, Dec 1.-THE foreign office at
/ O'Clock
out official news from Venezuela. The
officials were glad to hear Of the release
of the British subjects, but were unable
to express any opinions on the Ss->SE-s
dispatches except to say that they pre-
Sumed they were correct.
In connection with the reported seiz-
ure of the Venezuelan customs the for
eign Office officials say that arrange
ments for that step have not been COM
pleted. Before any general seizure could
occur Germany. Great Britain and other
natiors would have to come to an agree
ment for pro rata division and adjust
ment of their respective claims. similar
to that arrived a by the allies in China
except that the La Guayra custom.
house may possibly have been seized az
purely military measure Though the
seizure of the houses will take place
eventually it is pointed out that while
hostilities are in progress the customs.
as a fiscal institution. are practically
valueless.
THE COMMONS IS TOLD.
London, Dec. lin the house of COM
mons today Under Foreign Secretary
Cranborne confirmed the reports of the
capture of three Venezuelan vessels at
La Guayra and the disablement of a
fourth vessel without resistance and
also confirmed the capture of the Vene-
zuelan gunboat Bolivar at Port of Spain.
The under secretary also said that the
release of the British subjects arrested
at Caracas had been demanded but up
been informed that the demand had
been complied with The government
had no official information of the report
ed arrest of the British consul al Cara
cas-. The latest information received
was that he left La Guayra yesterday
evening. The British subjects arrested
had not been harmed.
PLEASED~ WITH BOWEN
Berlin, Dec. 1.-THE German foreign
Office officials are much pleased at Mini
lister Bowen's energetic action at Car
acas resulting in the release of most of
the Germans imprisoned there and by
his efforts to obtain the liberation of ths
others. Full advices on the subject have
been received from Washington. The
direct dispatches received from Nene-
zuela by the foreign office here say thar
been seized. that only her revenue cut
ters were captured. but that the seizure
of the former is expected Immediately
Make FUN OF CASTRO.
Berlin, Dec 11.-All the newspapers
here. with the exception of the Socialist
VOrwaertz, are in sympathy with the
governments action toward Venezuela.
The morning papers contain many
humorous references to what they term
President CaStrOs magnificent mani
festo cabled to the representatives Of
Venezuela in Paris and made public
last night.
The Vorwaertz which never loses an
opportunity to assail what 1t calls 'pO-
litical shams," says it thinks the
formidable ultimatums of the two pow
ers and the naval demonstration are
governmental bluSter, a fine piece Of
pretension and international nonsense,
suggested, however, for the promotion
of certain financial aims. The paper
adds:
so far as Germany is concerned the
action taken is likely to do more harm
than good, since $3.50, ,O0O, 900 of German
capital is invested in Venezuela. The
United States must feel secret satisfac-
ton at seeing Germany running its
dominating position in Venezuelan COM
merce and finance and must hope to
supplant Germany by American fnan-
cial Influences
MORE VESSELS CAPTURED.
Kingston, Island of st. Vincent Dec.
Continued on Page Six.)