The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-15
DEMAND OF THE ALLIES
That venesuela Keep Her Ships in
Harbor-President Castro's Courtesy.

Harbor-President Castro's Courtesy.
CARACAS, Dec. 13.-A note from the
commanders of the allied Anglo-German
fleet which the Venezuelan government re-
fused to receive yesterday at Laguayra,
was sent to-day to United States Minister
Bowen at Caracas and forwarded by him
to the proper government official here The
note in the name of Great Britain and
Germany, requests that all Venezuelan
ships, after the lapse of five days, refrain
from sailing from the port of Laguayra
until the present difficulties are over.
The question what right Great Britain
and Germany have to coerce Venezuela
on all sides here.
"El Mocho" Hernandez and certain other
revolutionary leaders left Maraicaibo to-
day for Curacao. on their way to Caracas.
Hernandez is probably the most popular
of the revolutionary leaders. President
Castro has kept him imprisoned at Marai-
caibo for several years past.
The news of the Smelling of the fortress
and customs house at Puerto Cabello this
afternoon by the British cruiser Charybdis
and the German cruiser Vineta reached
Caracas late tonight. 1t caused consider
able excitement, and in spite of the pre-
ventive measures taken by the police of
Puerto Cabello. trouble is feared at that
port.
President Castro learned this morning of
the illness of Madame Won Pilgrim Bal
tazzi, and this afternoon, accompanied by
his wife and a number of Venezuelan Of
ficers. he called at the German legation
Here the visitors were received by United
States Minister Bowen, who escorted them
to the room of the invalid. President Cas-
tro greeted Madame Won Pilgrim -Baltazzi
and spoke to her of her husband in a
friendly way, saying he held the German
envoy in high regard. The President made
a favorable impression on Madame Won
Pilgrim-Baltazzi, and before he left the
German legation he offered her the hos
pitality of the yellow House." his official
residence at Caracas.
The British legation here will be reopened
tonight under the American flag by W.
w. Russell, secretary OF the American le-
cation. The statement that Italy, through
her legation here. is to demand payment of
her claims against Venezuela has been
confirmed.
The arrival of the United States gunboat
Marietta, at Laguayra, yesterday, was
Que to a rumor that United States Min
lister Bowen was in danger. There has
been no ground for such a rumor, and the
presence Of the Marietta was not requested
by Mr.. Bowen.
The situation in Caracas continues to be
critical, and there is intense excitement
among the German residents of the city.
To-day Saturday the Germans sought
refuge at the American legation, where
they will be sheltered. Mr.. Bowen has laid
in quantities of all kinds of provisions. to
be prepared for an emergency.
The enlistment of Venezuelan soldiers
continues, and 1000 men from the environs
of Caracas and Valencia came into this city
to-day. The boycotting of British and
German goods continues. The British and
German colleges here, which were boy
cotted. have closed their doors. The
University of Caracas also is closed.
Priests are preaching for war; 1t is re-
ported that ninety Germans living in the
country have offered to support the Ven
ezuelean government against Germany.
Leading German and British residents of
caracas are very bitter against their re-
spective ministers, whom they accuse of
leaving Caracas without giving any intima-
tfon of their intention to abandon the city.
Inc note from the commanders of the al
lied fleet. which was sent to the Venezuelan n
governme' through Minister Bowen con-
cerning enezuelan vessels leaving La
guayra, Is supposed to herald the blockade
Tne people OF Caracas are astonished that
the government at Washington remains ST.
lent, In spite OF the recent acts of the allied
| fleet.
The fact that the people of yenezuela
are in absolute Ignorance of the designs OF
the allies upon their country creates a deep
and disturbing impression here. The chief
officer of President Castro's guard said to-
day to the representative of the Associated
Press:
IF there Is to be war, let us know and
We will fight. If there is to be only an as
sault on our coast where We cannot reach
the allies. the only thing left for us to do is
to declare that to destroy your debtor 8
| furniture Is strange way to force the nav
ment of his obligation believe this sit
uation will soon come within the scope of
| the Monroe doctrine