The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-18
VENEzUELANS FOR PEACE
Announcement Made at Caracas that the Dispute
with Europeans Will Be Arbitrdted.

current opinion among the business ele-
ment of this city. The men who signed the
note met again tonight to discuss ways
and means of obtaining money with which
Venezuela can meet her obligations, as
we'll as the guarantees which 1t will be
possible TO offer TO her creditors. The
note, which is addressed TO the President
of the United States of Venezuela, follows:
'Sir-The undersigned having met with
the purpose Of offering their aid to the
government of Venezuela in the present
conflicting situation. which has been
created by the aggressive attitude Of Ger
many and Great Britain and upon your re-
quest to give our opinions in writing, we
address you in the following terms:
I'm view of the acts of violence already
committed and of the absolute impotence
of Venezuela to meet force with force In
response TO the allied action of Germany
and Great Britain. In view of the fact that
Venezuela has exhausted all the means
required by civilization and diplomacy 10
put end to the present situation. and
the government and the people of Vene-
zuela having complied honorably and
worthily TO the demands of national honor,
we consider. with all due respect, that the
moment to yield TO force has arrived.
I'VE, therefore. respectfully recommend
that full powers be given TO the minister OF
the United States of North America. au-
thorizing him to carry out proper measures
to terminate the present conflict In the
manner least prejudicial to the interests
of Venezuela"
The note is signed by ]. E. Linares. H
l.. Boulton. Carlos Santana, Nicomedes
Zuloaga. Carlos Zulaoga, F. De Sales
Perez K. Montauban, NJ. Chappelin, Juan
Herrera, Juan A. A. Travleso, ana ABOUT
200 other prominent citizens of Caracas
The blockade of Laguayra, notification OF
which In the names of Great Britain anu
Germany was communicated to the Vene-
zuelan government Dec. 13, went into effect
to-day The order applies to venezuelan
vessels only.
The awakening of the Venezuelan people
to the present situation of their country Is
accompanied by feelings of bitterness and
sorrow. Their fleet has been destroyed ana
their pride has been deeply wounded. but
they are resigned to accept the anront
which they consider has been offered by the
allies. During the last ten days President
Castro has acted with extraordnary en-
ergy. He has transformed the entire coun-
try into a vast camp. having raised more
than 10000 men. whom he has well armed
equipped and transported from every direc-
tion to Laguayra and Puerto Cabello, In
the expectation that the allies would at
tempt to land at one or both of these
points. But there has been change OF
feeling, and the prominent men or Vene-
zuela who were at one time ready to lead
the people in defense of their country now
consider that justification to take the men
of the republic away from their families
and their work does not exist. They have
resolved to discover a means to bring about
arbitration, or at least treat with the al
lies. The means sought is thought to lie
through the United States legation, and
satisfactory results are on every hand ex-
pected to follow.
respondent of the Associated Press: 1.-The
| United States has not prevented the allies
| from assailing us. but, it has obliged them
| to accept our terms
Rumors have been in circulation here
| lately of the capture of the last
| Venezuelan gunboat. the Miranda, at
Maricaibo. by the German cruiser Faika.
1T is now reported, however, that the
Miranda has taken refuge in the Lake of
Maricaibo and that all the guns and
ammunition which were on board have
been disembar rked.