The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1902-12-24

to England, congratulating the
British people on the new method
of communication between the two
countries
New York, Dec. ia copy of
the statement made before the court
of third instance in Guatemala to
W. G. Hunter, Jr., son of the Unit
ed States minister to Guatemala,
regarding the shooting of William
A. Fitzgerald, has been received
here. Hurter's statement says:
ST left tie legation of the United
States on the afternoon of Thurs
day, November 80, 1902, in com
pany with James G. Bailey, secre-
tary Of delegation, for my accus-
toned daily walk, and upon reach
ing the Plaza de Armas, as usual,
about 5 O'Clock, we took a seat to-
gether, facing the music stand in
front Of the statue of Columbus.
We had been seated there but few
minutes engaged in conversation,
when William Fitzgerald, whose
presence was unknown to me, and
without word being said or any
thing being done to provoke an as
sault, seized me by the coat collar
with his left hand. and with his
right struck me severe blow un-
der the left eye, which drew the
blood; and while thus holding me
firmly down on the seat drew re-
volver, which he snapped two or
three times in my face.
"Recovering from the shock of
the assault, which for moment
dazed me, and the>surprise at the
presence of the assai1ant, whom I
had not previously seen, I at once
sprang up with superhuman effort
to my feet thrust him from me,
drew my revolver and shot the
would-be assassin dead in self
defense, firing five shots, the con-
tents of my weapon in doing So.
immediately after the tragedy l
walked quietly short distance a.
way from the scene of, the occur
renee, and surrendered to the local
authorities.
Grand Rapids, Mich, Dec.- TO-
When William Fitzgerald was seen
at his home tonight and asked
concerning the statement that his
son was shct by Godfrey Hunter,
in Guatemala, in self-defense, Mr..
Fitzgerald said:
ssIn view of all the information I
have received, by wire and mail,
about the killing of my son, this
statement is most absurd. The ac-
ton of the men in seeking the pro-
lection of the legation at first and
afterward seeking to forfeit it shows
that the deed was not done in self
defense.
"If that deed was done in self
defense, those men should seek,
rather than avoid, a trial in the U
nited states, because under no flag
and laws will this plea, when true.
go farther than under ours.
s'I recently received letter from
J. Drummond, who was an eye-wit.
ness of the shooting, and from that
letter alone I know my son fell
without warning.
Washington, Dec. 2o.-The allied
powers at war with Venezuela have
requested President Roosevelt him
self to arbitrate the case. This
course was suggested by Germany.
The president is unwilling to
serve, and will probably advise a
reference to the Hague tribunal.
Germany is especially anxious to
conciliate the United States and to
remove suspicion Of her motives. To
this end Chancellor Won Bulow has
given the Associated Press's full
explanation.
The blockade has been put in eff
feet all along the Venezuelan coast,
and the British ships have made
three seizures already.
A British warship has run a.
ground in the Orinoco river, and,
as the water is falling, she is likely
to stay there.
The news Of the beginning of the
blockade caused a panic in Caracas,
and was surprise. It was expect
ed that the arbitration proposal
would prevent the blockade. But
the allies say it will continue until
an agreement is made.
Caracas, Dec. 21-In the name
Of Venezuela: President Castro has
signed the acceptance of the ap-
pointment of President Roosevelt to
arbitrate the enezuelan difficulty
Wood for Sale
1 have 500 acres of timber laid to clear.
Will sell wood in stump or give wood for
clearing ground, have fir, oak cedar and
ash. 5 miles west of Corvallis.