Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1902-12-20

British and German Guns Bonn.
bard Puerto Cabello.
Fortress Is Quickly Sflenced-No
Damage to the City Ia Reported
Alleged INSULT to British
Flag the Cause.

J
La Guyara, Venezuela, Dec. 15.-War
has actually begun in Venezuela, and
Venezuelan blood has been shed by
the warships of Germany and Great
Britain
For three-quarters of an hour Sat-
urday evening the German cruiser
! Nineta and the British cruiser Charyb-
dis united in bombardment of Fort
| SOlano and the Castle Libertador, the
chief harbor defenses of Puerto Ca
bello.
After reducing the forts to ruins,
dismantiing the shore batteries,
wounding two Venezuelan soldiers and
making a prisoner of their command
ing officer, the allies took possession
( of the castle, and then, leaving the
dismantled Notifications, the warships
put back to La Guayra.
Resistance lis Feeble.
The Venezuelan garrison made only
feeble resistance to the superior
power of the cruisers big guns.
This summary action by the COM
manders of the British and German
warships had it's provocation in the
seizure and pillaging last Wednesday
of British tramp steamship lying in
the harbor of Puerto Cabello by a
Venezuelan rabble, which subjected
her captain and crew to arrest and
other indignities.
Anxious for Fair Terms.
Under orders from President Castro
everything possible is being done to
prevent violence to subjects of the
foreign allies. Castro and his advisers
believe Germany and Great Britain
have exceeded all right and reason.
They are anxious to reach fair terms
peacefully, but are not willing to for
felt the pride of the republic.
| Ordered to Leave Caracas.
Caracas, Dec. 1.-THE Italian min
| lister to Venezuela, Signor de Riva, has
| received orders from Rome to leave
| Caracas this morning. He will go on
| board the Italian cruiser Giovanni
Bausan at La Guayra.
! UItimatum Presented.
| Signor de Riva, the Italian minister,
| presented Italy's ultima tum to Vene-
zuela at five o'clock Tuesday after
noon. 1t demands immediate pay.
ment of $542 600 to meet the Italian
claims arising from former revolu-
| tons. The ultimatum is couched in
| stronger terms than those used in the
ultimatum presented to Venezuela by
Great Britain and Germany. Italy
will take part in future demonstra-
tions against Venezuela. The inter
ests of Italy in Venezuela will be
| placed in the hands of United States
! MINISTER Bowen.
Spain and Belgium Act.
Caracas, Dec. 1.-THE Spanish min
lister to Venezuela, Senior Gaytan de
Ayala, and the Belgian charge daft
flares, NJ. Van der Heyde, have pre-
scented a joint letter to the Venezuelan
minister of foreign affairs in which
they ask, in case the claims of other
foreign powers are paid by Venezuela
that the same treatment given these
powers be accorded to Spain and Bel
GUM.
No Move by Britain.
London, Dec. 17.-Replying to ques-
ton in the house of commons Tues
day Under Foreign Secretary Gran
borne said no attempt had been made
by Great Britain to refer the dispute
with Venezuela to arbitration
Replying to a question in the house
of lords Tuesday Lord Lansdowne,
the foreign secretary, said that if
the seizure of the Venezuelan gun
boats did not produce the desired eff
feet further coerciye measures would
be employed. The matter had been
considered in consultation with Ger
| many and it had been decided to re-
sort to a blockade of the ports. 1t
was not intended to land a British
force and still less to occupy Vene-
zuelan territory.
Judging from statements given out
by the foreign Office the Venezuelan
situation does not appear to be any
nearer settlement. Up to late hour
no suggestion had been made that
Great Britain could eventually see its
way to submitting it's claims to arbi-
tration The foreign office appears to
be without official cognizance of the
attitude of the Washington govern
fcially that Washington is anxious
that further hostilities be avoided. 1t
is known that the foreign office has
made inquiry as to whether the
United States would be willing to
guarantee the fulfilling of Venezuela's
pledges, either at the immediate ces-
sation of the present European action
or DendiDU the award of arbitratOrS.
This inquiry resulted in a direct mega
tive from the United States. With the
guarantee of the United States, the
foreign Office says, arbitration in the
Venezuelan matter would be an i'm
mediate proba bility, but, with only
the word of government hitherto I'M
relia BILE, arbitrat ton is difficult Of &C
cepting even upon the points "here
international relations admit of such
method of settlement.
Robbed a Bank.
pIoOroinrtOp I'll Dec 17-Ihe