Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-10

German citizens in Venezuela, and this has
brought him Immediately into conflict with
President Castro. He has informed the
State Department that number OK these
citizens Of the allied governments were ar
rested yesterday in Caracas. At once MT.
Bowen addressed himself to President cas-
tro to secure their release. He represented
that he had been charged with the care OF
British and German subjects in Venezuela,
but President Castro was unwilling at first
to recognize his authority. Finally the
United States minister convinced him that
he. was acting within his rights and Presf-
dent Castro consented, with reluctance. to
release the principal prisoners. Mr.. Bowen
will insist upon the release of the re-
mainder.
No Reasons Given for Arrests.
Nothing in his reports to the State De-
partment indicates the reason for the ar
rest of these foreigners except that they
were Germans or British.
Mr. Bowen wishes to play the part of
peacemaker between the principals in this
dispute and the State Department. after
considering his statements, has decided that
he may do so only upon application from
Venezuela for his good offices, and II the
same shall be acceptable to the British
and German representatives. That attitude
is said to be consistent with that assumed
by the United States government in many
preceding International troubles in which
her good offices have been invoked.
The latest reports from MIR. Bowen to the
department confirmed the press dispatches
relative to the seizure of the Venezuelan
navy in the port of Caracas yesterday. 1t
is now expected that the next step will be
the announcement of a formal blockade of
that port by the British and German war
ships 1t is believed here that this will not
stop the entry into the port Of American
ships, but that If they land their cargoes
the British and Germans will insist upon
collecting the regular Venezuelan rate of
customs dues upon them.
Custom House to Be Seized.
OF course 1t will involve the seizure of the
custom house. and In turn, it is expected
that President Castro, unless he concludes
to abandon further resistance, will issue
decree closing the port to entries and Will
insist upon collecting duties anew upon the
same goods If they passed into the IN
terror of the country beyond La Guaira
The United States navy has at present no
representative in La Guaira. The little gun
boat Marietta is at Curacao. rev hours
distant, in readiness to respond to any cai
1t is said at the Navy Department that 1t
would not be safe for any warship to lie
off La Guaira at this season. when the
winds set inshore, and there is no anchor
age until almost on the beach, SO that 1t
is presumed that the blockading fleet must
either go alongside the slip or stand far off
shore.
Regarded as Ground for War.
1t was said at the British and German
embassies today that the action of Pres
ident Castro in ordering the arrest OF all
subjects of the Berlin and London govern
ments in Caracas was without precedent in
the history of civilized countries supposed
ly at peace with each other. Such action,
it was said. would undoubtedly be regarded
as sufficient ground for declaration OF
war. Indeed. some members of the dlpio-
matte corps here regard the action as being
such declaration In itself.
Many years ago when President Soras was
at the head of the ,Buenos Ayres govern
ment Great Britain became involved in a
dispute with the South American country,
and the president issued decree that all
British subjects should be arrested and that
their heads would go off at the first shot
fired from the British men-of-war then
threa tening to lombard cities along the
Argentine coast. Fortunately, an agree
ment was reached and the drastic order
was not carried out.
Minister Bowen's prompt action in de-
manding of President Castro the release OF
the German and British subjects arrested
| In Caracas yesterday Is in accordance with
the plan agreed upon between the German
and British ambassadors and Secretary
Hay when the former called at the State
Department fully three weeks ago and, In
anticipation Of the present ugly situation
in Venezuela, requested that the United
States minister at Caracas be permitted to
protect the lives and property Of all citi-
Zens of the London and Berlin governments
in the South American republic.
1t is understood that President Castro
was advised of this action before his de-
cree of yesterday, and this makes his ac-
ton all the more inexplicable. 1t was point
ed out by a diplomat of high rank today
that in forcing Minister Bowen to demand
the release of the arrested subjects Presi-
dent Castro is acting directly contrary to
the wishes of the Washington government
not to become involved In an international
dispute Both Germany and Great Britain.
II is said, fully appreciate the position OF
the United States, and are determined that
this country shall not be unnecessarily
drawn into the embodiment.
President Roosevelt's Attitude.
1t was also stated that Presidents Roose-
elts recent interpretations of the Monroe
doctrine were being looked to by both ma
tions as authority as to the degree to which
they could go In enforcing their claims
against Venezuela without embarrassing the
United States. The particular utterance OF
the President upon which they nave SET
their attention Is contained In his first mes
sage to Congress at the opening session Of
| the Fifty-seventh Congress. in which he
! referred to the Monroe doctrine in these
| terms:
This doctrine has nothing to do with the
| commercial relations of any American
| power, save that in truth 1t allows each Of
| them to form such as 1t desires. In other
| words, 1t Is really a guaranty OF the COM
| mercial independence of the Americas. We
| do not ask under this doctrine for any ex-
| elusive commercial dealings with any other
American state. We do not guarantee any
| state against punishment. II 1t misconduets
| itself provided that punishment does not
| take the form of the acquisition of territory
| by any non-American power
Interview With Castro.
| President Castro In an interview with
| the correspondent of the Associated Press
at Mlrafiores Palace yesterday, said:
| The Venezuelan government has not re-
| ceived any ultimatum, properly speaking.
| but rather simultaneous requests from
| Great Britain and Germany. The claims
| Great Britain asks this government to set
| tie are small and up to the present time
we have not been aware Of them. Never
| having been presented, Venezuela has con-
| seouently never refused to settle them.