The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-21

Emperor Williams first minister at this
time might clear up any doubt which
might exist as to Germany's purpose. The
chancellor mentioned that the idea was
prevalent in the United States that Ger
many was engaged in the collection of bus
mess debts. He said:
Among the German claims against Ven
ezuela we gave precedence TO those arising
from the latest Venezuelan civil wars.
These claims have not the character of
mere business debts contracted by the re-
public, but they have grown out of acts
of violence committed against German cit
liens in Venezuela either by forced loans
or by the seizure of cattle without any
payment, or by the pillage of German
houses and estates. For these acts of vio-
lence no redress whatever was obtainable
from the Venezuelan government, which
fatty refused to settle the question by
diplomatic dealings. Consequently the i'm
peral government was to its utmost regret
forced to take the matter into its own
hands.
1.-The first step taken as a compulsory
measure against Venezuela was the seizure
of her men-of-war. AS this measure had
no immediate effect We are now blockading
the Venezuelan ports. This blockade will
have the character of a blockade of war
and we shall therefore make no distinction
as to the nationality of neutrals, but we
do not intend to issue formal declaration
of war, Germany and England having
agreed for the present only TO blockade
the coast and not to take any further
measures of a hostile character against
Venezuela, except in the case of an unex-
pected emergency. We regret the necessity
of a blockade and shall certainly take
care that as little inconvenience and trou-
BILE as possible shall be caused by 1t to
neutral trade.
"Of course we have not the slightest in
tention to make any territorial acquisitions
in Venezuela. In that respect the United
States government has months ago received
from us explanations OF a positive char
acter. We thankful to the United
States government for the trouble that il
takes to bring about a settlement by ar
btration. We think that a fair arrange
ment might be made in that way
The chancellor added that the note to
Secretary Hay yesterday accepting the
principle of arbitration would be supple
mented by another tomorrow making sug-
gestions as TO the form of arbitration He
also alluded TO the pleasure the Emperor
had yesterday in receiving Ambassador
Tower. who had made excellent i'm
preston in official quarters here.
A Semi-official statement made Tonight
says: 1.-The invitation to President Roose-
welt to act as arbitrator was made after
thorough consultation between GERMANY
and Great Britain. An understanding has
been reached by the two powers on the
reservations attached to the offer. and the
German note will agree with the English
note on all essential points,
The Nord Deutsche Zeitung says the dec
laration of the blockade of Venezuela made
simultaneously in Berlin and London. does
not conflict with the accommodating atti-
tude of Germany and Great Britain to-
wards the United States as regards the So
luton of the Venezuelan difficulty by ar
bitration. Moreover, says the paper, ii was
previously known in Washington that the
adherence of the British and German gov
ernments in principle to the idea OF arbi-
ures agreed on and which are sanctioned
by international law.