The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-12-10

BACKING
DOWN

CARACAS (Venezueia}, Dec. 2.-The
German cruisers vineta and Fake have
arrived at La Guayra from Curacao.
BERLIN, Dec. 2.-1,he published
statement that Gernany's claims
against Venezuela amount to SIS, 900
is, the correspondent of the Associated
Press is officially informed, incorrect.
While the German Government is not
yet ready to publish tie details of its
demands, persons who have seen the
papers say the total is about $2,000,000.
President Castro represents to Ger
many that Venezuela has little credit
abroad; that the country is just emerg-
ing from civil war during which
planting and industry were partially
ruined, and that therefore, no matter
how much Venezuela may desire to sat
isfy Immediately the claims against her,
1t is obviously impossible. Hence, an
agreement on the subject must provide
for deferred payments. The seizure of
the custom houses, thereby depriving
the Government of an important means
y,
the internal distress and disorder.
While President Castro's proposals
are NOT disclosed, there is reason to
believe that they include the emission of
bonds at a moderately high rate of in
terest with some sort of a guarantee
that if the interest or the installments
of the principal are defaulted certain
Venezuelan custom houses may be TAX
en- over by Germany.
Nothing is known here of the plans of
Isaac N SeligInan of New York for
floating a Venezuelan loan. He has
not approached this Government in the
matter.
There is no disposition here to pro-
ceed with harsh measures toward Vene-
zuela if milder ones will suffice to exact
satisfaction, but the German Govern
ment is fully committed to the intention
to obtain ample satisfaction The claim
ants are constantly urging the Govern
ment to press the collection of the
amounts due them, not only because of
the sums involved but, it is represent
ed, in view of the fact that the long
delay has rendered the position of Ger
mans in Venezuela more and more vex-
atious. Therefore, it is claimed, the
Government must strike, and strike
hard, in order to properly assert the
rights of Germans.
WILL NOT BACK LOAN.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-Foreign af-
fairs were. discussed briefly at the Cabi-
net meeting today. Secretary Hay has
had encouraging reports from Havana,
where Minister Squiers and General
Bliss are working in harmony with
special commission designated by Pres
ident Palma to draw a satisfactory
reciprocity treaty. Venezuelan condi-
tions also were touched upon, especially
with reference to the plans of some
New York financiers to relieve Vene-
zuela's embarrassment by floating a
loan The Government would be glad
to see this done if it could be accom-
plis'ned without involving the United
States in any liability for the repay
ment of any debt or place the Govern
ment under the obligation to coerce
Venezuela. 1t has already been made
perfectly clear to the promoters of this
rlan that the State Department would
not bind itself by any promises in this
matter, and this attitude of the depart
ment was thoroughly approved by the
members of the Cabinet.
HAMILTON, Bermuda, Dec. g. The
British second-class cruiser Retribution
sailed for Venezuela yesterday and the
second-class cruiser Charybdis, sloop-
of-war Alert and torpedo boat destroy
er Quail followed today. The second
class cruiser Tribune and the first-class
| cruiser Ardane are under orders to pro-
ceed to the same destination.
LONDON, Dec. SIT is officially an
nounced here that Great Britain and
Germany are taking naval measures to
| secure satisfaction from Venezuela and
| that for this purpose German war
ships have already assembled off the
coast of Venezuela and those of Great
Britain will shortly be there