The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1902-12-12
COAST BLOCKADED.
The British and German War
Vessels Occupy 1t.
President Castro Appeals to VeBezu-
clans to Take Up Arms-General
Amnesty For Political Offenses-
Venezuela Vessels Seized.


The Venezuelan gunboat Bolivar in this
harbor Tuesday night. She landed
the BOlivar's officers here while the
British sloOp Alert took the crew of
the captured gunboat to the Port OF
Guaira, situated on the Venezuelan
coast opposite to the Island of Trini-
dad.
The British torpedo boat destroyer
Quail has sailed with the instructions
to capture the Venezuelan war
vessel now engaged in blockading the
mouth of the Orinoco.
The entire coast of Venezuela from
the OrinOco river to La Guaira will
be blockaded from Wednesday by Brit
ish war vessels, while the Venezuelan
coast from La Guaira to the Colombia
frontier will be blockaded by German
war vessels.
Paris, Dec. ia Venezuelan gov
eminent communication to it's repre-
sentative here protests that Great Bril-
tain and Germany, acting in concert,
have committed an act of hostility in
a manner as arbitrary as it is unpre~
cedented by the seizure of Venezuelan
vessels lying at La Guaira The COM
munication says that indignation in
Venezuela is at its highest pitch and
the government is resorting to justi-
fable reprisals. 1t has arrested the
resident subjects of both hostile coun-
tries and has seized the railways and
other undertakings belonging to them.
At the same time, adds the communi-
cation, President Castro has appealed
to the Venezuelan people to take up
arms. He has decreed a general am
nesty for all political Offenses and has
ordered the restitution Of the confis-
Gated property of Venezuelan citizens.
Willemstad, Island of Curacao, Dec.
11.-There was a great patriotic dem
onsaratiOn in Caracas at S o'clock
Tuesday night when the news arrived
that the British and German war
ships had seized the Venezuelan war
vessels at La Guaira. Crowds quickly
gathered and paraded the streets of
the capital displaying banners and
singing patriotic songs. Violent
speeches were delivered at various
points. The populace marched to the
palace of President Castro, who ad-
dressed it. The mob then moved on
to the German legation, shouting
Death to the Germans. The windows
were shattered with stones, and at
tempts were made to force the doors,
but the latter resisted these efforts,
and Nine. Won Pilgrim-Balta, the wife
of the German charge d'affaire, who
has been i'll in bed for the past two
months, and, therefore could not leave
Caracas with her husband, was thus
saved from violence. The crowd then
marched to the German consulate, and
to the residence OF DR.. Koehler again
stoning the windows and attempting
to force an entrance. The police made
no effort to dispense the crowd.
The excitement was still intense
when at 10 o'clock at night the gov
eminent ordered the arrest of all the
German and English residents. One
hour later 2O5 persons, prominent in
social and commercial life. were
crowded together in the police station.
All the British residents were arrest
ed, except Albert Cherry, of the Ven
ezuela British-owned Central rail-
way, and Mr.. Wallace, manager Of the
telephone company, who escaped to a
place of safety.
On learning these incidents, United
States Minister Bowen and Secretary
w. w. Russell went at once to see
President Castro, and after a long con-
ference succeeded in obtaining the re-
lease of DR.. Koehler Nine Won Pill
grim-Baltazzi's physician, and Consul
Valentine Blohm. Minister Bowen
also obtained the official authorization
of the Venezuelan government to rep
resent British and German interests
during the imbroglio.
Washington, Dec lit was said at
the British and German embassies
Wednesday that the action of Presi-
dent Castro in ordering the arrest of
all subjects of the British and German
governments in Caracas was without
precedent in the history of civilized
countries supposedly at peace with
each other and that such action would
be regarded as sufficient ground for "A
declaration of war. Members of the
diplomatic corps here indeed regard
it as being a declaration in itself.
1t is understood President Castro
was notified of this action. 1t was
pointed out by European diplomat of
high rank Wednesday that in forcing
Minister Bowen to demand the release
of arrested subjects President Castro
is acting directly contrary to the de-
sire of the Washington government not
to become involved in the interna-
tional dispute. Both Germany and
Great Britain. it is said, fully appre-
ciate the position of the United States
Government Bill Passed
Brussels. Dec. 11-After a prolongA
ed debate the chamber Wednesday
night, by 60 votes to so, adopted the
government bill providing for the pun
ishment of persons using indecent or
L..