Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1902-12-13

l
Fearing Eombardment by the For.
eien Warshirs-Foreisn Flags Pub.
| IicIy Burned at Caracas.
| Washington, Dec. 11.-It Is said mt the
| British and German embassies that the
action Of President Castro in ordering
the arrest of all subjects OF tho British
ant! German governments in Caracas Is
| without precedent IN the history OF
| civilized countries supposedly ut peace
with each other. and that such action
will be regarded rs sufficient ground for
a declaration of war. Members of tie
diplomatic corps Eerc indeed regard II
as being such a declaration III itself.
| Minister Howcn's prompt action in
| demanding of President Castro the re-
| lease of the German and British sub
| jectS arrested in Caracas is in accord
ance with the plan agreed on between
the German and British ambassadors
and Secretary Hay when the former
called at the state department fully
three weeks ago, and, in anticipation Of
| the present ugly situation in Ncnc-
zuela, requested that the United States
minister al Caracas be permitted 10 pro-
tect the lives and property of all British
| and German citizens in Venezuela.
1t is understood that President Castro
was advised of this action. 1t is pointed
out by Il European diplomat of high
| ;,,:, f,,
demand the release of the arrested sub
| jccts, President Castro is acting di-
rectly contrary to the desire of the
| Washington government not to become
| involved in the international dispute.
Both Germany and Great Britain, it is
| said, fully appreciate the position Of
| the United States ard are determined
that this countrl shall not be drawn
necessarily into the embodiment. 1t is
| also stated that President ROosrvclt's
recent interpretations of the Monroe
| doctrine are being looked to by both nG-
| tons as authority for the extent to
which they can go in their claims
| against Venezuela without cm'nr
| rassing the United States. The par
ticular uttcrancc of the president on
this:
"rhiS (the MOnrOc) doctrine has moth
ing to do with the commercial relations
| of any American power, save that ia
truth it allows each of them to form
such as it desires. In other words, it
t., 81 90 ho ~
Independence of the Americas. We do
not ask under this doctrine for any OK
elusive commercial dealings with any
other American state. We do not
guarantee any state against pnnisli-
ment if it misColtlnctS itself, provided
that punishment does not lake the form
of the acquisition cf territory by any
nom American power"
The German and British residents mt
La Guara have been arrested. No one
here can explain the action of the alli ii
powers in taking action without giving
Venezuela time to reply to their note.
Troops are expected here from
Caracas, rs the government is credited
with the intention OF repulsins any
landing by the allied forces.
All the stores and banks hero arc
closed. Great excitement prevails. rs
the population fears that the town may
be shelled or other action taken 10y the
AnglO-G German vessels.
La Guaira, Dec. II The Venezuelan
Annt n fiIrnI NInnInv 1,.1
man and four British cutters. They
went alongside the Venezuelan vessels
and ordered them to surrender. aud
without a shot being fired the British
and German forces seized the NeIe.
Zuelan fleet in the name of the &C.
man emperor and the King of England.
Two of the vessels. which were under
going repairs. were broken up. The
German cruiser Pantheon steamed into
the harbor during these proceedings
with her decks cleared for action. The
Venezuelan steamers were taken out
side the harbor, and at . O'Clock Tuesday
morning the General Crespo, Tutuuo
and Margarita Were sunk. The OSslIn
was the only vessel spared in view of
the protest made by the French charge
uaffaircs. who notified the commodore
of the allied fleet that the Ossun is the
property of Il Frcnchman.
Caracas. Dec 11-There was n great
patriotic demonstration here Tuesday
night when the news arrived that the
British and German warships had
seized the Nenczuol Ian war vessels ut la
Guaira. The populace marched TO the
palace of President Castro, who adj
dressed it, The mob then moved on
to the German legation shouting death
to the Germans" The windows wrra
shattered with stones ana altcmpfs
were made to force the doors, but tine
latter resisted these efforts. Tie
crowd then marched to the German
consulate and to the residence If DR..
Koehler, again stoning the windows and
attempting to force an entrance. The
police made no effort to dispcrse t! q
demonstrators.
The excitement here was intense
when at 10 o'clock AT night the govern.
ment ordered the arrest of all the Ger
man and English residents One hour
later 20j persons prominent in the 50.
cial and commercial life of the city
were crowded together in the police sta.
ton.
On learning these incidents United
States Minister Bowen and Secretary
Russell went at once to see President
Castro and succeeded in obtaining ;he
American Capital in Canada.
Halifax, Dec. 1l.-.A circular issued
to the shareholders OF the Royal bank |
Of Canada announces that syndicate
of American capitalists propose . M
vest $1,25O,OOO In the banks stock. ray. |