The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1902-12-19
WANT VENEZUELA 70 YIELD

Caracas, Dec. 19.-Indications here
are that Venezuela will yield to the
demands Of the allies.
The leading citizens Of Caracas
have addressed joint note to Presi-
dent Castro asking him. to give full
powers to United States Minister
Bowen to effect a termination OF the
present difficulty. It is signed by al
the leading merchants, bankers and
agriculturists of Caracas. It rejects
truly the consensus of current opinion
among the business element OF this
city. The men who signed the note
are to meet soon to discuss ways and
means Of obtaining money with which
Venezuela can meet her obligations, as
well as the guarantees which It will be.
possible to OFFER to her creditors.
Note to Castro.
The note Is as follows:
+ Caracas. Dec. 10. 1902.-To the
President Of the United States -6f
Venezuela-Sir: The undersigned,
having met with the purpose Of OFFER
ing their aid to the government of
Venezuela in the present conflicting
situation. which has been created by
the aggressive attitude Of Germany
and Great Britain and upon your re-
quest to give our opinions In writing.
we address you in the following terms:
I'm view Of the acts of violence al
ready committed and of the absolute
impotence of Venezuela to meet force
with force in response to the allied
action Of Germany and Great Britain,
In view of the fact that Venezuela has
exhausted all the means required by
civilization and diplomacy to put en
end to the present situation, and the
government and the people of vene-
zuela having complied honorably and
worthily to the demands Of national
honor, we consider, with all due re-
spect,, that the moment to yield to
force has arrived.
1--WE therefore respectfully recon-.
mend that full powers be given to the
minister Of the United States Of North
America, authorizing him to terminate
the present conflict in the manner
least prejudicial to the interests Of
Venezuela. 8as.
Swallow Their Pride.
The awakening of the Venezuela
people to the present situation of their
country is accompanied by feelings OF
bitterness and sorrow. Their feet
has been destroyed and their pride
has been deeply wounded, but they are
resigned to accept the affront which
they consider has been offered them
by the allies.
During the last 10 days President
Castro has acted with extraordinary
energy. He has transformed the en-
tire country into vast camp, having
raised more than 10000 men, whom
he has well armed, equipped and
transported from every direction to La
Guayra and Puerto Cabello, In the ex
pectation that the allies would at
tempt to land at one or both Of these
ports.
But there has been a change OF
feeling, and prominent men of Vene
zuela, who were at one time ready tt
lead the people in defense Of theil
country, now consider the justification
to take the men Of the republic away
from their families and their work
does not exist. They have resolved te
discover a means to bring about arbi
tration or at least treat with the al
lies. The means sought are thought
to lie through the United States lega
Ttion, and satisfactory results are or
every hand expected to follow.
A member of the ministry said tt
the correspondent of the Associated
Press:
"The United States has not prevent
ed the allies from assailing us, but i
has obliged them to accept ou
terms"
As Venezuela Puts It.
Caracas-It has been decided that th'
Venezuelan difficulty shall be arbi
trated and the discussion Of terms o
, settlement is now going on. Unite'
, States Minister Bowen undoubtedl.
will be one Of the hfbitrators.
} The government fears that coerciv
measures will follow. the establishment
of the blockade.
n The French legation at Lima. Peru
has presented to the Peruvian govern
: ment a claim for $16,071, $40 in favo
: Of the Dreyfus brothers Of Paris, Il
. accordance with the finding Of tn
! Lausanne court of arbitration.