The Savannah morning news., 1902-12-11
IT is CALLED A
PEACEFUL BLOCKADE.
How Diplomats Designate the Vene-
zueIan Trouble.

zueIan Trouble.
Washington, Dec. 10.-The State De-
partInent has been advised that a
peaceful blockade" exists in La
Guayra. which is the port of Caracas,
the capital of Venezuela. The differ
ence between this state and a state of
war is not very strongly marked. ex-
cept in the opportunity afforded by the
peaceful blockade to effect settle
ment without recourse to actual blood
shed. The situation is regarded here
as critical
Minister Bowen, at Caracas, has &C
cepted the trust placed upon him to
look after the interests of British and
German citizens in Venezuela. and
this has brought him into conflict with
President Castro He has informed the
State Department that a number of
these citizens were arrested yesterday
in Caracas. Mr.. Bowen at once adj
dressed himself to President Castro to
secure their release. He represented
that he had been charged with the
care of British and German subjects in
Venezuela, but President Castro was
unwilling at first to recognize his au-
thority Finally the minister convinced
him that he was acting within his
rights, and President Castro consented,
with reluctance. to release the princi-
pal prisoners.
Mr. Bowen will insist upon the re-
lease of the remainder. Nothing in his
reports to the State Department indi-
Gates the reason for the arrest of these
foreigners, except that they were Ger
mans and British.
The latest report from Mr.. Bowen to
the department confirmed the press
dispatches relative to the seizure of the
Venezuelan navy in the port of Cara
cas- yesterday. 1t is now expected that
the next step will be the announcement
of a formal blockade of that port by
the British and German warships. 1t
is believed here that this will not stop
the entry into the port of American
ships, but that if they land their car
goes, the British and Germans will
insist on collecting the regular Vene-
zuelan rate of customs dues upon them.
Of course, this will involve the seiz-
ure of the custom house, and in turn
it is expected that President Castro,
unless he concludes to abandon further
resistance, will issue a decree closing
the port to entries, and will insist upon
collecting duties anew upon the same
goods if they are passed into the in
terror of the country beyond La Quay
ra.
It was said at the British and Ger
man embassies to-day that the action
of President Castro in ordering the ar
rest of all subjects of the British and
German governments in Caracas was
without precedent in the history of CIV
iliZed countries supposedly at peace
4I,.k
< would be regarded as sufficient ground
for a declaration Of war. Indeed. by
members of the diplomatic corps here
it is regarded as being such a declara-
ton in itself.
Minister Bowens prompt action in
demanding of President Castro the re-
lease of the German and British sub
jects arrested in Caracas is in accord
ance with the plan agreed upon be-
tween the German and British ambas-
sailors and Secretary Hay, when the
former called at the State Department
fully three weeks ago, and, in anticipa-
ton of the present ugly situation in
Venezuela requested that the United
States minister at Caracas be permitted
to protect the lives and property of all
citizens of the London and Berlin gov
ernnents in the South American re-
public, 1t is understood that Presi-
dent Casio was advised of this action.
1t was pointed out by European
diplomat of high rank to-day that in
forcing Minister Bowen to demand the
release of the arrested subjects. Presi-
dent Castro is acting directly con-
trary to the desire of the Washington
government not to become involved in
the International dispute. Both Ger
many and Great Britain, 1t was said,
fully appreciate the position of the Uni
ted States and are determined that this
country shall not be unnecessarily
drawn into the embodiment