The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-15
Special Ca,b Despatch 10 Tur srx.
from The SUN Correspondent at Caraca

From THE SUN Correspondent at GARAGES
CARACAS, Dec. 1.-THE Anglo German
feet at Puerto Cabello SHIELDED Fort Liber-
tador at O'Clock yesterday afternoon las
published exclusively in THE SIN yester-
dayl. Immediately after tho warships
began using their guns the fort and citadel
returned the Are,
When the residents of tho city heard the
opening guns Of the bombardment they
town. seeking places OF safety in the in
terror.
WHAT LED TO THE BoMBARDMENr.
The Government report on the lombard
ment says that yesterday morning the
Britain cruiser Charybdis and tho German
cruiser Vneta arrived off Puerto Cabello
or the purpose Of selling the Venezuelan
warships which had taken refuge in the
interior harbor. The British collier Topazo
was in the harbor preparing to leave with
out opposition from the Venezuelan au-
thorities.
Tho captain OF the Topaze was sum
moned by the Br itish Commodore 70 60
aboard the Charybdis. where the captain
told the English comma nder that on Friday
an excited mob Of Venezuelans had Obliged
him to lower the British flag on the Topaze,
Venezuelan feet the flying OF the British
nag in the port was an insult to Venezuela
An armed force from the Charybdis pro-
tected the Topaze when she left the har.
Dor. though no opposition was made to
her leaving
A committee OF merchants then visit ed
the American Consul and requested him
to board the Charybdis and inform her
commander that the attitude Of the Ven
ezuelan troops and authorities was "a
cifc. He was also requested to ask the
commander not to send force ashore
and to avoid a conflict.
The Consul boarded the warship and told
Commodore Mont gomerie what the people
requested Of him. The Commodore re-
lated to the Consul the incident of the To-
pare, and said that he demanded imme-
diate satisfaction II. added that his
mission was to seize the Venezuelan vessels
In the harbor and he asked the Consul TO
convey TO the Venezuelan authorities a
request for permission TO send boat into
the interior harbor to inspect il.
This latter request was granted. but the
authorities sent a message to the Comno-
dore saying that they must consult with
President Castro before giving the satisfac-
ton demanded for the alleged insult TO the
British flag.
OPENED PIRR THOUGH DEMANDS WERE NET
Al 8 O'Clock on Saturday afternoon Com
modore Montgomerie sent an ultimatum
ashore declaring that he would she'll Fort
Libertador II satisfaction was not received
At s o'clock. Accordingly the BON bard
ment commenced AT that hour and lasted
for twenty-five minutes.
Two minutes before the firing com
menced-at HSs P. Ma message con-
tanning the satisfaction demanded. was
despatched to the Charybdis
SURPRISE AT ALLIES ACTION
Nobody here can understand why the
British and Germans have resorted to such
extreme measures, and it is held in some
quarters that the Inauguration Of open
war at Puerto Cabello is dire mistake
that will have very serious consequence.
The supporters Of President Cast 70
maintain that he has acted with great
political sagacity, 1t has been charged
and Germans. but that this il not so il
shown by the fact that to-day in company
with Sefiora Castro he visited Mime Won
Pilgrim Batazzi. wife Of the German
Bsrnetts Extract Of Vanilla
Prepar~' 'rnr elected Vanilla Beans warranted
40 u | the Oth.