The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-10

Caracas Venezuela, December 9.-All German and British subjects in Caracas were arrested today.
 Washington, December 9.-The arrests of the German and British subjects in Caracas today are believed here to be in the nature of a retaliation on the part of President Castro for the ultimatum which has been sent to Venezuela for the settlement of the long-standing claims of Germany and England against her. In- cidentally, such action by Venezuela will, it is believed, involve this government as the German and British representatives in Venezuela, before leaving Caracas, re- quested United States Minister Bowen to take charge of the interests of their countries in Venezuela. It was said at the state department today that this re- quest would be granted and the probabil- ity is that MT. Bowen already has taken steps toward that end. Considerable sur prise is expressed here over the arrests as the result will be to add to the seri- ous complications already existing. Ow- ing to the late hour at which the Cara cas bulletin was received, 1t was impos- sible to ascertain whether any informa- ton had been received by the state de- partment from MT. Bowen regarding the arrests. Senor Pulido, the Venezuelan charge daffaires, was also inaccessible.
 Some Facts About Caracas.
 There are comparatively few white subjects in Caracas, perhaps fifty. The Caracas-La Guayra railroad Is a British concern, and it's general manager and other high officials are Englishmen. There are large number of natives of icla de in ezuela, especially in Caracas. They are negroes with few exceptions. A census of 1894 gives 6154 British subjects in Ven ezuela. This number includes a great many of the islanders, as we'll as the British population In the territory awarded to Great Britain.
 The Germans in Caracas are more nu- merous. They are found at the head of important commercial houses and banking institutions. The railroad from Caracas to Valencia is a German con- cern.
 The census of 1894 places the number of Germans in Venezuela at 962.
 dispatch from Caracas, dated De- cember 8, said that the British minister to Venezuela, w. H. D. Haggard, and the German charge d'affaires here, Won Pilgrim Baltazzi, had left Caracas that afternoon for La Guayra, the port of Caracas, where MT. Haggard went on board the British cruiser Vineta. The German and British legations in Car acas were closed, consequently the members of the legation staffs of these countries are probably not included among the men arrested Tuesday.
 President Castro Talks.
 Caracas, Venezuela, December 9-Pres- ident Castro received the correspondent of the Associated Press at Mirahores pal ace today. In reply to questions the president of Venezuela said
 'fThe Venezuelan government has not received any ultimatum properly speak ing, but rather simultaneous requests from Great Britain and Germany. The claims they ask this government to set tie are small and up to the present time we have not been aware of them Never having been presented Venezuela has consequently never refused to settle them Great Britain's action, therefore, is without justification.
 "The Venezuelan government cannot decide on foreign claims before the revo- lution has been entirely crushed.
 What do you intend to do in view of the present attitude of the powers?' was asked.
 ''Enforce our rights" replied President Castro "and explain to the world that Venezuela has laws and prove that we have never denied our engagements.
 The President was asked what reply the Venezuelan government would make to the requests handed it by the German and British envoys. To this he replied:
 ''The Venezuelan government is aston ished that after the notes which were transmitted to it by the diplomatic repre- sentatives of Germany and Great Britain, these envoys should leave Caracas with out awaiting the reply of the Venezuelan government"
 Regarding what he i intended to do, should the powers declare blockade, the President declined to answer.
 No ultimatum had been delivered to the Venezuelan government up to o'clock this afternoon. Should Venezuela refuse or fail to reply to the notes of Great Bri- tain and Germany it is believed an ulti- matum will then be delivered