Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-12
BIG FIRE IN WINSTON IA RUM0R[D CLASH
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE,

- VIC purpose OIL eNeCtlng the
capture OF President Castro and that
lighting is going on in the streets.
The foreign office here has no informa-
ton TO this effect.
Foreigners Released.
la GUASRA, Dec 1o-All the British
anc German subjects arrested yester-
Gay were released this afternoon
Danger Diminished.
WASHINGTON. D. C.. Dec 11.-AIinis-
Ter Bowen, at Caracas, In g cablegram to
inc state department dated to-day. con-
firms the press reports that ell the Ger
man and British prisoners have been re-
leased.
ms was the only advice that came to
me state Department as to the situation
IN venezuela. but it was welcome, for
me oHlciais felt that by releasing these
ciFl!'anS. President Castro had diminished
ereatiE the most dangerous factor in the
problem. Had he insisted on retaining
ihem in Jail. the allies must have dis
pa'ched force to the capital Of Venezue-
Ia, and war outright would have en-
SUED. AS 1t is. the officials here prefer
10 regard the status as not one of war,
provided the allies adhere to their origi-
nal programme of peaceful blockade"
perhaps followed by the temporary setz-
Details OF the sinking of the Venezuelan
navy by the allied naval forces are await
ed with interest here, and the officials
could not but express their regret and
surprise that it had been found ncces-
sa1y to proceed to such extremes.
No Change in Our Policy.
Nothing has yet occurred to induce the
State Department to change the policy Of
m fofp -fern Il
The President is showing particular in
terest in the situation, and called Sec
rotary Hay from his regular Thursday
diplomatic reception to confer respecting
Venezuela The chairmen of the two Con-
Eressional committee charged with the
care OF the foreign affairs. also called a!
the State Department during the fore
noon to talk over the Venezuelan develop
ments. Senator Cullom. chairman of the
Committee on Foreign Relations, express
cd regret that England and Germany had
destroyed. by breaking up or sinking, the
Venezuelan war feet. There have been
no orders issued to any of our naval YES
sells to go to Venezuelan ports, and IL
is not intended to issue such orders, un.
less emergency should arise. as the
presence of foreign men-of-wsr in such
cases as this is apt to cause useless fric-
ton. There IS, of course, always danger
that the attempt Of an American vessel to
pass the peaceful blockade may in the
end call for the appearance of American
men-ot-war upon the scene.
French Vessel Seized.
PARIS, December ia lenghthy official
dispatch has been received at the Foreign
Office hero from Caracas. sa ying that the
boats OF the German warshipS in Selling
the vessels supposed to belong to Vene-
zuela, also captured a French merchant
steamer. the Ossun. These advices reached
here SO late to-day that the officials were
unable to say what steps would be taken
in the matter, but it is believed that I'M
less the Germans promptly rectify the
mistake and release the Ossun, represen-
tations on the subject Cill be made to
Germany. This is also taken to indicate
the delicate state of the situation. and
the possibilities Of international compli-
cations beyond those involving Venezue-
la alone. The Ossun was owned by IL
Frenchman. who used her in the coast
wise trade of South America. About eight
months ago, the Ossun was seized by the
forces of President Castro. on the ground
that the step Was military necessity.
and the Venezuelan flag was hoisted on
board the steamer.
AngIo-German Tension.
The advices from Caracas further indi-
cate that some tension Is arising between
the German and British naval commands
ers. over the methods of enforcing the
demands. The German authorities insist
on decisive action, and the advices re-
ceived show that they have landed a
small German force, besides Selling the
ships The British commander desires to
proceed more slowly and more in accord
ance with the usual course OF diplomacy.
AS a result Of this friction, some OF the
leading diplomatic representatives at Car
acas have reported that it is not likely
that the British will participate in tho
seizure OF the custom houses. If this is
borne out, the officials here consider that
the joint character of the operations VIII
be considerably interrupted.
Germany AppIauds Bowen.
BERLIN. December 1.-THE German
Foreign Office officials are much pleased
at Minister Bowen's energetic action at
Caracas. resulting in the release Of most
of the Germans imprisoned there, and by
his efforts to obtain the liberation or the
been received from Washington by the
Foreign Office.
The direct dispatches received from
Venezuela by the Foreign Office here
say that Venezuela's naval vessels have
not vet been seized; that only her reve-
Jiue-cuttcrs We're captured, but that the
seizure Of the former is expected I'M
media tely.
All the newspapers here, with the eS-
canton of the Socialist Vorwaerts, are in
sympathy with the governments action
towards Venezuela.
Thanks for Bowen,s Services.
WASHINGTON. December 11.-ActinG
under cable instructions received to-day
from the Berlin and Lon0on Foreign Or
Sooc recenectiyaly Mr. Won HOlleben.
the German Ambassador, and Sir Michael
Herbert. the British Ambassador, called
at the State Department to-day. and pre-
sentcd the thanks Of their governments
for the services Of Minister Bowen. act
ing on behalf of the United States, in
securing the release of the German and
British subjects arrested by. President
Castro at Caracas Both diplomats ols-