The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-16
RESPONSIBILITY IS FIXED

The Charybdis ana quail steamed
away in the direction of Curacao.
The foreign eonsuIs subsequently call
ed on the project who assured them
there was no danger at present He
added that the commander of the fort
had been needlessIy alarmed and had
only succeeded in almost causing
panic.
NO ATTEMPT TO ARBITRATE.
London, Dec. 16.-Replying to ques
ticn in the house of commons today
no attempt had been made by Great
Britain to refer the dispute with Vene-
zuela to arbitration.
NO FAITH IN CASTRO.
Berlin, Dec. 16.-The German govern
ment has not yet replied to President
Castro's offer of arbitration. being still
in correspondence with the British gov
ernment on the subject
1t is intimated that Germany's reply
is not likely to be ready for some days
The opinion in the cabinet appears to be
that President Castro's proposals arc
merely move in game designed to
see what Germany and Great Britain
are now willing to do and as a test also
of American public feeling. The pre-
/ vailing idea here at present is that 1t Is
too late to arbitrate and that the ac-
ce9tance of the offer to do SO would
! place Germany in the position of having
put her hand to the plow and as look
| ing backward The governments con-
Germ al the present moment is to guide
the application of force SO as to avoid
what could be taken internationally as
declaration of war, resulting in the rec
ogn1tion of Venezuela as a belligerent.
The conduct of the United States is re-
garded in diplomatic opinion here as be-
ing strong and dignified and the state de-
partments handling of the affair is look
ed upon establishing Europes recog-
milton of the Monroe doctrine, because
every step of Germany and Great Britain
was made after taking into account what
the United States thought of it. At the
same time it is claimed that events in
! Venezuela are saving the United States
many complications by letting the Latin
republics understand that the United
States will not protect them from the ef-
fects of financial delinquency and inter-
nal disorder.
ITALY'S CLAIMS.
Rome, Dec. 16.-The claims of Italy
on Venezuela referred to by Foreign
Minister Prinetti in the chamber of dep
uties here yesterday comprises losses
sustained by Italian citizens during the
recent revolutions. Most of the 1918
Italian residents of Venezuela have
been heavy losers. The Poggioti firm,
from Elba island is the greatest suffer-
er. All its property was sacked. Other
important losers are an engineer named
Martinetti. and ex-Deputy Fagi, con-
troller of the Maricual coal mines. which
were invaded by the Venezuelan troops.
who destroyed everything and obliged
the Italian miners to flee from the coun-
besides other industries were in the
hands of Italians. hence the aggregate
of the Italian claims for damages is
large.
tain Orsini, commander of the Italian
cruiser Giovanni Bausan, now at La
Guayra are to act in full accord with
the British and German commanders in
the blockade of the Venezuelan coast
and any other measures which may be
considered necessary in order to reach
the desired object. The italian govern
ment. however, does not anticipate hav-
ing to cooperate in very serious ac-
ton.
The Italian cruiser Elba is expected to
reach La Guayra January A.
No further orders have been sent to
the Italian arrnored cruiser Carlo Alber-
to to leave Canadian waters for Vene
zuela.
NO INTENTION TO 1AND.
Replying to a question in the house Of
lords today. Lord Lansdowne, the for
eign secretary, said that if the seizure
of the Venezuelan gunboats did not pro
duce the desired effect further coercive
measures would be employed. The mat
ter had been considered in consultation
with Germany and it has been decided
to resort 10 a blockade of the ports. Il
was not intended to land a British force
and still less to occupy Venezuelan ter
ritorzr.
NO ORDERS FOR DEWEY
Washington. Dec 16.-Nothing has
been heard from Minister Bowen at
Caracas since yesterday morning. so
Secretary Hay had no further infOrma
tion to carry to the cabinet meeting rel
ative to the Venezuelan affair.
1t was stated positively at the navy
department that no order has been SEM
to the North Atlantic squadron or the
combined fleets under Dewey since the
departure of the squadron. 1t also was
stated that the admiral is at liberty to
dispose of the vessels as he pleases with.
of4t roo n ha nf
American politics
MORE WORK FOR BOWEN.
Rome, Dec. 1e.-It is said here that
SignOr MAYER Des Blanc the Italian am
bassador at Washington. has asked Sec
retary Hay to request Minister Bowen
to assume the protection of the Italians
in Venezuela if such a step became
necessary, and that Mr. Hay complied
with the request.
THE FRENCH URGE ARBITRATION
Paris, Dec. 16-Italy's attitude toward
Venezuela relative to the formers re-
cent demand for payment of claims has
been unknown by the italian minister
of foreign affairs at Rome and has been
communicated to the foreign Office here.
1t shows the demand of Italy was not
accOmpa MED by an ultimatum and there
was no suggestion of intention to adopt
force or join in the joint naval demon
stra ton.
The F'ranch charge d'affaires at Cara
cas- has forwarded his version of the
Porto Cabeilo bombardment He says
the cause of it was indgnities to the
British flag on board a merchant ship
and he reports that the city was not
I injured. the damage done being confined
to the forts, which were destroyed, part
! ly by dynamite.
! The Patrie prominently displays an
/ interview with Deputy d'Estournelles
/ de Constan. who declares that Europe
1 is renewing a spectacle in Venezuela
which she had previously given in
China. Armenia and the Transvaal and
urges Germany and Great Britain to re-
/ sort to arbitrat ton.
OUTLOOK NOT BRIGHT
London, Dec. 16.-At the foreign office
/ this evening it was said that no difficulty
had been arrived at in regard to the Ven