Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-09
Report From Minister Bowen.


Bowen at Caracas confirms the press re-
ports of the departure yesterday from the
Venezuelan capital of the British minister
and the German charge. Before they left
these officials requested Mr.. Bowen to take
charge Of the interests of their governments
in Venezuela. This request will be granted,
as there is no warrant for a declination in
such cases, and the United States legation
at Caracas will extend protection to British
and German subjects when called upon
until a normal state of affairs is restored.
During the Spanish war the British minis
ter at Madrid In this fashion looked after
the interests of the United States citizens
in Spain and NJ. Cambon, the French am
bassador at Washington. similarly cared
for the interests of Spaniards in the United
States.
This is not likely to be the end of Min
lister Bowen's activities, for from the tenor
of some of the communications he has made
to the department it is inferred that If he
sees an opportunity to use his good offices
as a mediator between President Castro
and the British and German representatives
he wiz promptly avail himself of that op
portuf1ity. The State Department is not
openly encouraging him in this attitude
preferring to avoid all entanglements but
being on the spot and willing TO do what he
can to prevent a crisis, Mr.. Bowen may be
allowed some measure of discretionary
power.
No Reason to Interfere.
AS has been repeatedly stated, the State
Department is perfectly aware of the in
tentions of the British and German gov
ernments. having been sounded in advance,
and 1t sees reason to interfere at this
stage, If at all. The case is really one
without close precedent, for 1t involves
for the first time The right of state to
undertake the collection by force of debts
due to it's citizens by another state. Even
in the case of the British landing at Cor
:.-xz T.. l..
was that a British official had been wrong
ed and personally iH-treated. Therefore the
outcome is being watched with the closest
interest IN official and diplomatic circles
here.
1t was perhaps for the reason that the
State Department had already been fully
advised as to the program to be adopted by
the British and German governments
touching Venezuela that the incidents Of
yesterday at Caracas caused So little stir
In official circles in this city. and indeed. It
was stated that the subject was not even
mentioned at the cabinet meeting today. So
the attitude of our government just now is
one of waiting.
Early Action Expected.
The belief in diplomatic circles is that
scme action will be had before long, as the
ultimatum handed in to the Caracas gov
ernment by the British and German repre-
sentatives yesterday, If it followed the
usual form. would allow period of only
between twenty-four and to forty-eight
hours to Venezuela to make a settlement.
An official not long returned from Vene-
zuea states that to the best of his Judg-
ment the sum of five million dollars will
probably cover the claims upon which the
uHimatum issued yesterday was based.
The principal claim is that OF the Ger
man railroad, built at a cost of ten million
dollars. upon which Venezuela guaranteed
Z per cent interest. figure reduced In 1896
to per cent, and in which case she has
defaulted for several years The English
claim also covers a number of items grow
ing out of the governments appropriation
of British railroads.
Then outstanding is a large foreign In
debtedness, but whether or not the claims
of these bondholders are included in the
present demand Is not known here. Vene-
zuela, by decree, set aside considerable
percentage Of the custom receipts to pay
the interest on these bonds, but it Is
said that there is still heavy arrearage
on that account.