The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-12-18
VENEZUELAN NAVY SEIZED
British and Germans Adept Vigorous
Measures 20 Collect Claims.

Measures 20 Collect SiaaHlS.
Washington, Special.-TEe State De-
partment has been advised that "a
peaceful blockade" exists at LaGuaira,
which is the port of Caracas, the cap
ital of Venezuela The difference be-
tween this state and state Of war is
net very strongly marked, except IN
the opportunity afforded by the peace
full blockade to effect settlement
without recourse to actual bioodshed.
The situation is here regarded as criti-
cal.
Minister Bowen. at Caracas. has ac-
cepted the trust placed upon him TO
look after the interests Of British and
German citizens in Venezuela and 1t
has brought him into conflict with
President Castro. He has Informed the
State Department that a number or
these citizens were arrested in Cara
cas-. Mr.. Bowen at once addressed him
self to President Castro to secure their
release. He represented thai he had
been charged with the ARE CT British
and German subjects IN TenC2Iol:, bat
President Castro wGs unwilling ct fist
to recognize lis authority F!a@tE the
minister convinced him that he was
acting within his rights and S-osideDt
Castro consented with reluctance % re-
lease the principal prisoners. Mr..
Bowen will insist upon the release OF
the remainder. Nothing in his reports
to the State Department indicate the
reason for the arrest OF these foreign
ers except that they were Germans and
British.
The latest report from Minister Bow
en- to the Department confirmed the
press dispatches relative to the seizure
of the Venezuelan navy IN the port OF
Caracas Wednesday. 1t is now expect
ed that the next step will be tht an
nouncement Of a formal blockade OF
that part by the British and German
warships. 1t is believed here that this
will not stop the entry into the port
of American ships. but that II the land
their cargoes the British and Germans
will insist upon collecting the regular
Venezuelan rate CT customs duties up
On them. Of course this 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 a decree
closing the port to entry, and Will in
sist upon collecting duties anew upon
the same goAis if they are passed into
the interior Of the country beyond La
Guira.
1t was said at the British and Ger
man embassies today that the action o.
President Castro in ordering the az
rest Of all subjects Of the British and
German governments in Caracas was
without precedent in the history OF civ
ilized countries supposedly at peace
with each other and that such action
would he regarded as sufficient grouId
for a declaration Of war. Indeed, by
members OF the diplomatic corps here
it is regarded as being such a declara-
tion in itself.
Minister Bowen's prompt action Ia
demanding of President Castro the re-
lease of the German and British sub
jects arrested in Caracas yesterday Is
in accordance with the plan agreed
upon between the German and British
ambassadors and Secretary Hay whea
the former called at the State Depart
ment fully three weeks ago, and. in an
ticipation Of the present ugly situation
in Venezuela requested that the United
States minister at Caracas be permit
ted to protect the lives snd property OF
all citizens of the London and Berlin
governments in the Southern Ameri-
can republics. 1t Is understood that
President Castro was advised OF this
action
1t was pointed out by an European
Diplomat of high rank that in forcing
Minister Bowen to demand the release
of the arrest subjects. President Castro
is acting directely contrary to the de-
sire of the Washington government IN
order to become involved in the inter-
national dispute. Both Germany and
Great Britain. it was said, fully appre-
ciate the position of the United States
and are determined that tbs country
shall not he unnecessarily drawn into
the difficulty.