The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-04
And British War Vessels En- Route
from Bermuda and Elsewhere to
Venezuelan Waters.
JOINT NAVAL DEMONSTRATION
FOLLOWED PROBABLY By THE SEIZ-
URE OF CUSTOM HOUSES.
Pacific Settlement Possible Only IL
the United state VIII Give Aid to
Proposed Financial Scheme.

LONDON, Dec. 3.-Great Britain and
Germany. according to official statements
made here, have commenced punitive
measures against Venezuela. German war
vessels. Ii is stated are already on the
scene OF the contemplated action and Great
Britain by tomorrow should have a
squadron there capable of coping with any
resistance that Venezuela might offer.
Meanwhile. the Associated Press corre-
spondent is informed no definite answer has
yet been received from Washington by the
hnanciers here who wish to bring about
a pacific settlement. An important COM
munica ton one way or the other Is ex-
pected from Washington tomorrow. If the
United States is willing TO guarantee its
moral support to the request that Venezue-
Ia be allowed time to fulfill the suggested
bargain the plans thereof will at once be
submitted to the British Foreign Office. IL
Washington refuses to suggest to the
European powers that Venezuela be al
lowed time, Ii is probable the financial
house now interested will drop the plan
altogether. In the latter alternative the
Venezuelan delegation here is likely to sub
nit the suggested settlement to the Brit
ish and German governments with an ap-
plication for time to admit of their enter
ing into negotiations with other financial
interests.
The Venezuelan delegates maintain that
their status has been seriously affected
by the adoption OF the aggressive meas
ures announced to-day, but they declare
that 4 would be obviously bad policy, in
spite OF the critical position of their coun-
try, to make any suggestion to Europe
until the attitude of the United States,
both as a joint creditor and largely in
terested political power, had been ascer-
tanned.
The Associated Press correspondent is in
position to state that Venezuela offers
the payment on a unified loan of over 49,
100000 interest yearly. guaranteed by the
customs with the establishment of Euro
pean bank at Caracas to superintend the
collection. The whole plan is on a basis
similar to that on which Brazil satisfied
it's European creditors. If such a method
is now followed. the Venezuelan delega-
ally be met. whereas it alleges that the
temporary seizure of the customs would
so disturb the commerce of the country as
to practically render il impossible to salts
fy the European bondholders and would
ton. All these details still unknown
10 the powers who have ordered their war
ships to Venezuela.
In spite Of the announcement Of joint
action by Great Britain and Germany the
British Ministry exhibits not little per-
plexity over the Berlin dispatch OF Dec.
j. announcing that President Castro had
handed to the German minister at Caracas
"a written acceptance of part of Germany's
claims. sufficiently comprehensive to delay
the presentation Of joint ultimatum by
Germany and Great Britain If not render
ing II altogether unnecessary and also
stating that il was understood that Great
Britain's demands would be satisfied. Not
the slightest official information TO this
effect has reached London
The present intention of Great Britain
and Germany Is to make a naval demon
stration against Venezuela with the prob
able seizure OF customs houses. though this
is dependent on developments.
A dispatch from Hamilton, Bermuda,
says: "The British second-class cruiser
Retribution sailed for Venezuela yesterday
and the second-class cruiser Charybds
sioop of war Alert and torpedo boat de-
stroyer sailed to-day. The second-class
cruiser Tribune and the first-class cruiser
Ariadne are under orders to proceed to the
same destination"