Goldsboro weekly argus., 1902-12-18
STATE Of WAR EXISTS
BETWEEN ENGLAND, GER
MANY AND VENEZUELA.
Ships Seized in LaGuayra Harbor
Taken Out to Sea and Sunk By
the Allies in COnsort.
FEELING IN THIS COUNTRY.

Washington, Dec. 11.-No doubt
remains in the minds of members OF
the Government that an actual state
of war prevails between England and
Germany on the one hand, and Vene-
zuela on the other. The action OF
the allied European powers in seIz-
ing and sinking Venezuelan war ;
ships is declared in official circles to
have been tantamount to beginning
of hOstilities. Considerable criticism
of the course of the German and
English naval commanders, for what
is characterized in some quarters as
q Wanton act of destruction, has been
heard in Washington to-day, both in
the executive departments and in
Congress, and many public men are
of the opinion that the two European
governments have committed an act
which will meet with condemnation
throughout this country and abroad.
The information in regard to the
Venezuelan situation which has
come to the state department within
the past 81 hours from Herbert w.
Bowen, United States minister in
Caracas, is summarized as follows:
- ,-ss.-.- o--";+o0oo.71 =. or-o;!e II
Caracas. President Castro has en-
tered on a policy Of reprisal and has
called on the Venezuelan people to
resist foreign invasion. Through the
efforts of Mr.. Bowen, the German
consul general, who was arrested by
order Of President Castro, has been
released. And in this connection
Mr.. Bowen says also: "The pfesl-
dent informs me that he has released
all Germans and British who were
arrested.n The German and British
:squadrons have entered LaGuayra
harbor, and "peaceful" blockade
has been declared.
From the United States consulate,
Port OF Spain, Trinidad, the state de-
partment learns that the Venezuelan
war ship Bolivar was seized there
yesterday by British war ships.
london, Dec. 11.-Foreign Office
officials were glad to esear Of the re-
lease of British subjects in Venezue-
la. but were unable to express any
opinion On the press dispatches ex-
.cept to say, as Under Foreign Secre-
farv Cranborne did, that they pre-
;sumed they were correct.
In connection with the reported
seizure of the Venezuelan customs
the foreign Office officials say that ar
rangements for that step have not
been completed. Before any gen
eraI seizure could occur Germany,
Great Britain and other nations
would have to come to an agreement
for a pro rata division and adjust
ment of their respective claims, SIM
liar to that arrived at by the allies in
China, except that the LaFuayra
custom house may possibly have
been seized as purely military
measure.
Though the seizure of the custom
houses will take place eventually it
is pointed out that while hostilities
are in progress the customs, as fis-
cal institution, are practically value
less.
In the House of Commons to-day
Under Foreign Secretay Cranborne
confirmed the reports of the capture
Of three Venezuelan vessels at La
Guayra and the disablement of q
fourth vessel without resistance, and
also confirmed the capture OF the
Venezuelan gunboat Bolivar at Port
Of Spain. Trinidad. Two of the
.Drizes. he added, were sunk. The
government had no official informa'
ton of the reported arrest Of the
British consul at Caracas. The latest
information received was that he LEFT
IaGuayra yesterday evening. The
British subjects arrested had not beer
harmed.
The under srcretary. also announced
that the British vice consul at La
Guayra and some women and chill
dren were taken on board British
man-of-war yesterday evening, ant
added that it was reported that Pres
ident Castro held the British anC
German prisoners as hastages.
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