The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-15
ITALY JOINS IN.
Will Unite With Allies IN Coercing
Venezuela.

C4-CLuClc'
Caracas. Dec. 15.-The news of the
Smelling of the fortress and custom
house at Puerto Cabello by the British
cruiser Charybdis and the German
cruiser Nireta. reached Caracas at a
late hour last night. Ii caused consid-
cradle excitement. and in spite of the
preventive measures taken by the police
of Puerto Cabello trouble is feared in
that port.
a note from the commander of the
allied fleet which the Venezuelan gov
eminent refused to receive yesterday at
States Minister Bowen at Caracas. and
forwarded by him to the proper govern
ment officials here The note is in the
name of Great Britain and Germany. 1t
requests all Venezuelan ships, after the
lapse of five Gays, to refrain from salt
ing from the port of La Guayra until
the present difficulties are over.
The question. what right Great Brit
ain and Germany have to coerce Vene-
zuela without declaring a blockade, is
being asked on all sides here.
Ell Mocho' Hernandez and certain
other revolutionary leaders left Mara
caibo today for Curacao on their way
to Caracas. Hernandez IS probably the
most popular of the revolutionary lead
ers- President Castro has Kept MIN i'm
prisoned at Maracaibo for several years
past
The British legation here will be re-
opened tonight under the American flag
by w. w Russell, secretary of the
American legation.
The statement that Italy, through her
legation here, is to demand payment of
her claims against Venezuela, has been
confirmed.
The arrival Of the United States gun
boat Marietta at La Guayra Yesterday
was due to a rumor that United States
Minister Bowen was in danger. There
has been no ground for such a rumor
and the presence of thes Marietta was
not requested by Mr.. Bowen.
The situation in Caracas continues to
be critical and there is intense excite
ment among the German residents of
the city. Today the Germans sought
refuge at the American legation where
they were sheltered. Mr. Bowen has
gotten in quantities Of all kinds of pro-
visions, to be used for any emergency.
The enlistment of Venezuelan soldiers
continues. Two thousand men came into
the city today.
The boycotting of English and Ger
man goods continues.
The British and German colleges here,
which were boycotted. have closed their
doors The University of Caracas also
Is closed Priests are preaching for
war It is reported that ninety Germans
living in the country have offered to
support the Venezuelan government
against Germany.
Leading German and British residents
OF Caracas are very bitter against their
respective ministers, whom they accuse
OF leaving Caracas without giving any
lnt1ma ton of their intention to aban-
don the city. The note from the COM
manders from the allied fleet, which was
sent to the Venezuelan government
through Minister Bowen, concerning
Nenezulan vessels leaving La Guayra,
Is supposed to herald the blockade
The people Of Caracas are astonished
that the government at Washington re-
mains silent in spite of the recent acts
of the allied feet
The fact that the people Of Venezuela
are in absolute ignorance Of the designs
of allies upon their country creates
deep and disturbing impression here
The chief officer of President Castro:
guard said today to the representativ,
of the Associated Press:
If there is to be war let us know anf
we viii fight. If there is to be only al
assault on our coast. where we canno
reach the allies. the only thing left fo
us is to declare that to destroy you
debtors furniture is a strange way [,
force the payment of his obligations.
believe this situation will soon com
within the scope of Monroe doctrine