Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-13

and other Representatives Of Venezuela in
European cities all betray a stronger feel
ing against Germany than against Great
Britain, as well as reliance on the United
States to prevent any A~nglo-German in
vaslon OF Venezuela. The Venezuelan con-
sui at Genoa Is credited with the asser-
tion that the armed Intervention Of the
United States would be certain to imme-
Oiatoly follow any such step.
A dispath from Berlin to the Morning
Post says the British commander in Venez-
uelan waters will. as senior officer in the
future direct all Joint action by the Anglo
German feet after having consulted with
Commodore Scheder, the German com
mander. Germany has no intention Of
sending a force to the interior Of Venez-
uela.
The Venezuelan consul here is reported as
saying that the recent negotiations reported
from Washington Of a loan Of s,OOO,0O0
An international bank under European
control was to be established and interest
on the loan was to be guaranteed by the
customs. Fiscal agents we're to be Installed
in all custom houses and were themselves
to collect the interest on the loan. II at
any time the customs receipts proved in
SUFFICIENT to meet the interest tie govern
ment undertook to make good any deficiency
out OF other revenues.
II was considered essential to learn the
attitude Of the United States. While final
steps we're being taken the crisis became
acute. An unofieiai effort was then made
to gain the good dgces Of the United States
in order TO procure for Venezuela a slight
extension OF time. The hnal arrangements
were cabled from London to President Cas-
tro and we're ready for presentation to the
Foreign Office when the ultimatum was pre-
scented.
This plan by no means has been given up,
although Of course all negotiations are at
d standstill. Unless matters go to further
extremities a settlement on some such ba-
sis is still possible.
Deposits OF Coal Seized.
CARACAS, Dec. 12.-The government has
taken preventative measures at La Guayra.
All the deposits Of coal at the navy yard
and all the British cars on the La Guayra
railroad have been brought here, making
impossible the transportation Of the allied
troops by rail. General Ferrer, the min
O. lister of war, spent all day today in choos-
ing spots in the mountains where trenches
are to be dug.
The governor Of Caracas has issued the
following decree:
All the venezuelans living in the federal
district between the ages OF IS and so years
must enroll themselves in the militia. Any
such persons refusing to enroll voluntarily,
as patriotism demands, will be declared
traitors and sent before the tribunals.
During the Incarceration of Britains and
Germans here Mr.. Bowen and his secretary
of legation went to the Jail FIVE times and
assisted the poor colored British subjects
and those who were I'll.
The order for the release Of the prisoners
has made a good impression and is looked
WTnaN M a nnlfftn oas an tho nark ~ Dr1ct-
dent Castro. Everyone in Caracas believes
the situation to be desperate and war GER
tain unless Mr.. Bowen succeeds in having
the matters in dispute submitted to ar
bitration.
II Is reported that the plan Of the Ger
man and British forces is to secure the
ports Of La Guayra and Puerto Cabello.
Preparing for Defense.
LA GUAYRA. Venezuela. Dec. 12.-De-
Tense preparations at the strategic points
on the heights back of the town are being
vigorously pushed forward. Deposits of
powder in the fortress Of La Vigla and San
Carlos have been removed. Great prepara-
lions are being made and everyone capable
of bearing arms is Altering HIS service.
The embargo placed upon, the harber
corporation has been removed.
Castro Unftes HIs People.
BERLIN. Dec. 12-President Castfo's war
preparations and his public utterances are
regarded in oficial quarters here as de
signed to see how far the allies are will
ing to go, as a test OF the further attitude
Of the administration at Washington, and,
above all. as efforts to unite his own people
and reconcile them TO his dictatorship"
Tit Foreign once received a cable yester-
day from the German charge de ~affaires
fled at La Guayra. This is a sure indica.
ton. the Foreign ONCE thinks. that the
situation Is not so tense as the press tele-
grams represent.
Regarding the reports that the Germans
wantonly destroyed the Venezuelan YES
sells captured at La Guayra. 1t is said here
that, according to ofheial advices v~eceivet
up to the present, only one vessel was dis
ebled.
While the marine ministry is not consid.
ering the immediate dispatch Of reinforce
mentS, IL II Is necessary to occupy a port
marines will be sent. The Navy department
garrisons the coast defenses and has at Its
disposition fifteen battalions OF marines
who are serving on shore.
Later in the day a dispatch was received
here from willemstad, Curacao. as fol-
lows:
The German warships have embargoet
three Venezuelan ships and disabled 4
fourth near La Guayra.
The dispatch referred to was semi ON
cial and was nled at Willemstad yesterday
The warships engaged In the AFFAIR were
the German cruisers Panther and vinets
and the British cruiser Retrlbution.
PARIS, Dec. 12.-A foreign once ofheia
made the following statement today:
No ehange OF views has occurred between
the European powers concerning the Vene
Hueian situation and no such exchange 4
intended, as II II definitely held that tn
AFFAIR Is ons In which the United Statei
mediation.
This statement was called out by tn
suggestion OF the Temps that IL was tim
for Europe to speak in the interest of uni
Nersal peace. TIL onheial added
II Is fully recognized here and at tn
other capitals that the United States 4
the only power In a position to act as in
tefmediary Hence, there is no intention