The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-01-03
TO GEORGE VENEZUELA
ATTENTION DIRECTED TO THE
NAVAL DEMONSTRATION OF
GERMANY.
MANY WARSHIPS GATHER

Vessels of Various Nations Are In
That LocaIity-Most Positive AS
surance Given to the United States
That Occupation of Any of the ven-
ezuelan Ports Will Be Temporary.
Not After coaIing Station.
Washington, Dec 2S.-The gather
fng of German wars6ips in the vicin-
lty of Venezuela and the presence in
The same locality of many American,
British, French and other foreign war
ships, is directing attention to the i'm
minence of the naval demonstration
Germany is about to make against
Venezuela. Thus far the German gov
eminent has not made known the ex-
act details of her proposed move, the
official communications to the United
States being confined to an inquiry as
to the attitude of this government on
the question of a demonstration in
view of the purpose on the part OF
Germany not to acquire any permanent
foothold in Venezuela. The answer of
this government was entirely salts
factory to the German authorities,
who since have proceeded with the
execution of their plans for coercing
Venezuela. 1t is said to be probable
that the first move by Germany will
be the establishment of blockade of
Venezuelan ports so as to prevent the
Introduction of food products into Ven
ezuela and thus starve the besieged
into submission. Venezuela, it is said,
is entirely dependent on the outside
world for it's supply of corn, which is
staple among the VeneZuelans. The
| Germans are expected to occupy one
| or more OF the main ports of Ven
ezuela probably La Guayra and Mara
caibo In this connection most posi-
/ tive assurances have been given to the
! United States government that the &C.
cupation is to bt temporary and only
! for such length of time as will permit
| the collection Of the debt due to Ger
mans, thus disposing of the report that
there is any Interior purpose to esta!b-
| lish a German coaling station on Ven
ezuelan soil.
| Venezuela Is Preparing.
On the part of Venezuela it is semi
officially understood that President
| Castro has made known that he is pre-
pairing for any eventuality. There is
complete silence, however, as to the
defensive measures Venezuela is adopt
ing, but there is no Indication that she
is laying mines or preparing in any
way to resist an occupation of La
Guayra or Maracaibo, which are such
open ports that they are practically
defenseless against such powerful
armament as the Germans can bring te
bear. The reliance of Venezuela ap
pears to be on the practical difficulties
Germany will encounter. Venezuela
It is asserted, has no need of outside
supplies, and while corn is much used
in an emergency there are many othel
cereals which can be put to use. More
over, the natives are said to meat eat
ers almost exclusively and to have Ok
need for corn or outside products.
With reference to German occupa
ton of one or two ports it is though
to be likely that Venezuela will rel!
on harrassing the invaders. Thu
fresh water supply Of La Guayra ant
Maracaibo is drawn from interio
streams and lakes and these are eS
pected to be cut off. The interior o
Venezuela is regarded as safe, as it /
said it would take at least 10000
German soldiers to make headwa
through the wild and I'LL aven countr
against guerrilla tactics.
There appears also to be much rel
, ance on the part of Venezuela in tn
sentiment and sympathy which can b
/ aroused within the United State
: when a European invader is actuall
operating on American soil, and Vel
eZuela
Issues a Declaration of War.
!, Venezuela, it is understood, also 1elie
largely on the fact that foreign capita
, is invested in the large Venezuela
ports and would be the heaviest su
, ferer from any destruction wrought
: the Germans. Money from Francs
|, England, Germany and the Unite
! States has built up La Guayra, Mar
: caibo and the other large places. an
: little Venezuelan capital, it is said,
: at stake. A German blockade, Vel
;. ezuelans declare, will prove quite g
: onerous to American, British and othe
: foreign shipping as it will to the il
, ternal interests of Venezuela, an
= these shipping interests are expecte
q to appeal to their several COVER
\ ments.
: There are a few hopeful signs c
:. both sides that at the last moment
clash may be averted. The Germa
minister to Venezuela Is still at b
; post and there is some hope that
:, may still be able to bring about sc
: tlement. The outlook for cash sc
. Element, however, is rather meage
:, since Venezuela's treasury is emp
= and all Of the Venezuelan officials a
o on half pay.
% The presence of the North Atlant
squadron and many other Americs
warships in West Indian waters Is Il
source of much speculation in Ge
many and Venezuela The Berlin Of
r. Gals are assured the presence
American ships has nothing to do wi
d Germany's plans against Venezuel
ID but at Caracas the presence of Anne
a. lcan ships in the neighborhood