The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-15

pressure on Venezuela to blockade the
ports of La, Guaira, Puerto eCabelio and
Maracaibo towards the end Of November
and seize all Venezuelan gunboats. 'un-
tilHthe demands are complied with
Objections to a Blockade
Lord Lansdowne under date of Oct. %
says the blockade is "open to some objec-
tion,' but he endorses the seizure OF the
vessels.
In the next communica ton dated Nov. II
Lord Lansdowne notified Charge d'Affaires
Buchanan at Berlin that Germany was
prepared to join England in a final warn
ing and that it had been agreed that the
first step should be the seizure Of Vene-
Guean vessels. " -
',As to the joint execution of measures of
coercion" says Lord Lansdowne 1.-The
German government recognized that there
was sharp distinction in the character
OF the British and German claims. but that
we ought to exclude the possibility of a
settlement between Venezuela and one OF
the two powers without an equally salts
factory settlement with the other
In a further communication, dated Nov.
H., Lord Lansdowne said that Germany
concurred in the view that any joint ac-
ton should be maintained until the de-
mands OF both governments are satisfied.
Mr.. Haggard,> on Nov. IL, cabled to
Lord Lansdowne that the Venezuelan gov
eminent had reiterated that 1t considered
the Ban Righ question and the facilities
afforded the revolutionaries by the au-
thorities at 1Dinidad to be all i'm portant,
and would be much gratified If Great Brit
ain would express some desire for arriv.
ing at an understa nding, adding that
Venezuela therefore appeals to the sense
of fairness of the British government"
After settling with Germany the mode
of procedure and the instructions to be
sent to the naval commanders. Lord Lans-
downe, on Nov. q, informed Mr.. Hag-
gard thereof, and gave instructions as to
his course regarding the presentation of
the ultimatum and the minister's depar-
turc from Caracas. which have been since
followed out.
The foreign office, on Nov. %, asking
the admiralty to forward specific instruc-
tons to Vice-Admiral Douglas. adds:
Should the British legation be with
drawn from Caracas, it is probable that
British interests in Venezuela would be
placed in charge of the United States
minister
The last communication, dated Dec. 2
is from Lord Lansdowne to Mr.. Haggard
1t instructs him regarding the terms OF
the ultimatum, which are already known.
He had received from Minister Haggard
a cable summary of what purports to be
Venezuela's reply to the British ulti-
matun. Therein Venezuela complains
that reparation was offered by Great
Britain for the landing of marines or for
the conduct of the British authorities OF
Trinidad. This dispatch closed saying
that as her treasury was exhausted it was
impossible for the government to meet its
debts for the moment, but directly peace
was declared it would not be necessary tc
remind the Venezuelan government OF
it's obligations.
Lord Transformers statement was drawn
out by Earl Spencer, who referred to the
manner in which the foreign secretary re-
Gently "criticised and made jocular re-
marks regarding that small country
Venezuela. The earl said he consid
cred it to be most unfortunate that the
foreign secretary should have adopted
such tone towards a country with which
negota tons were pending.