Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-12-24
GERMANS
CONSENT
Long Delayed Acceptance
of Berlin at Last
Received
Venezuela Denies Alleged
Offensive Tone of
Correspondence
British Order Blockade
Reported Rebels Are
Active

Berlin, Dec. 20.-The answer of Ger
many to arbitration in behalf of Vene-
zuela received through the United
States government is it's acceptance.
The delivery of the reply to the United
States for transmission to Minister
Bowen was delayed for a day or two
for tactical reasons, probably through
the expectation that another solution
may be found, possibly by Castro
yielding. Four days ago the idea OF
the German government was in favor
Of rejecting arbitration and that is
understood here to have been the tenn
per Of the British foreign office. While
it is impossible to trace the steps that
led to a reversal of this view, it ap-
pears that the state of public opinion
in the United States, SO far as Ger
many is concerned, produced a reyis-
ion Of the first idea
Blockade Still On.
Port of Spain, Dec. 20.-The British
cruiser Alert left here Thursday night
for CarupanO and the British torpedo
boat Rocket sailed fro here yesterday
afternoon for Cuidad Bolivar. 1t is
reported here that a Venezuelan revO-
lutiOnary army Of 10000 men is march
ing on Caracas and is believed now to
| be near that city. Cable messages
from Venezuela are subjected to Vene-
Zuelan censorship.
Admiral Douglas Of the British fleet
has ordered blockade of La Guaira,
CarenerO, Guanta, Cumana, Carupano
and the mouths OF the Orinoco, the
December 20.
VeneZueIa's Answer.
Caracas, Dec. 0.-The Associated
Press has obtained copy of the an
sWer made by Venezuela to the Ger
man note. The answer was delivered
December 9. 1t recites the statements
made by Venezuela in notes of various
dates since March, 1901, and goes into
the details Of the negotiations concern
Ing the payment of certain credits and
cOmbats the observations of Germany
regarding the limitations of time in
which proceedings are to be brought
before the junta. The answer defenus
the judges from the partially attrib-
uted to them, denies the alleged often
sive tone of Venezuela's correspond
ence and gives assurance that the var
lOus German claims, if found just, Will
be satisfied Baralt, the Venezuelan
minister Of foreign affairs, who pre-
pared the answer, says in conclusion:
Claims arising out of the present
war, which still devastates the repub-
lie, will be treated with all justice I'M
der the laws to be passed to cover the
requirements"
Arbitration Presents Difficulties.
Washington, Dec. 2O.-Minister
Bowen, it is reported, wishes to come
to Washington in order to personally
effect an adjustment with the resident
ambassadors of the allies, but while
the state department makes no state
ment upon the point, it is believed it
I'does not regard this plan with favor.
1t is pointed out, here, in connection
with the project to refer the matter to
The Hague tribunal, that in some
phases the disputes will not admit
OF arbitration. Such is the case, for
instance, where the attacks on British
and German subjects and the German
legation at Caracas, and the arrests
OF consular officers, which have made
the Venezuelan offense equivalent to at
tacks on the national honor Of the al
lies, and as such to be atoned for only
by ample apology. The Hague tribun-
al could not arbitrate such issues.
Italy Claims 100000.
Rome, Dec. pa semi-officiaI an
nouncement places the Italian claims
against Venezuela at $2,00O,00O
Dutch Minister Recalled.
Brussels, Dec. 20.-The Dutch min
lister. to Venezuela is recalled. Minis
ter Bowen will look after the Dutch
interests there.