The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-11
s.VeneZuelans, to Arms!
Cries the Voice of
Castro.
CONTINUED from First Page.)

Venezuela. and this has brought him into
conflict with President Castro. He has
informed the State Department that
number of these citizens were arrested
Yesterday in Caracas. Mr.. Bowen at
once addressed himself to President
Castro to secure their release: He rep
resented that Re 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 con-
WINGED him that The was acting within
his rights, and President Castro con-
scented with reluctance to release the
principal prisoners. Mr.. Bowen will in
sist upon the release of the remainder.
Nothing in his reports to the State De-
partment indicates the reason for the
arrest of the foreigners except that they
were Germans and British.
The latest report from Mr.. Bowen to
the State Department confirmed the press
dispatches relative to the seizure of the
Venezuelan navy in the port of Caracas
yesterday 1t is expected that the next
step will be the formal announcement OF
a 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 cargoes the British and
Germans will insist upon collecting the
regular Venezuelan rate of customs du-
ties upon them. Of course this will in
volve the seizure 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 in
sist upon collecting duties anew upon
the same goods if they are passed into
the interior of the country beyond La
Guaira.
1t was said at the British and German
Embassies today that the action of
President Castro in ordering the arrest
Of all subjects of the British and Ger
man governments in Caracas was with
out precedent in the history of civilized
countries supposedly at peace with each
other, and that such action would be re-
garded as sufficient ground for declara-
ton of war. Indeed by members of the
Diplomatic Corps here, it is regarded as
being such a declaration in itself.
Minister Bowen's prompt action in de-
handing of President Castro the release
of the German and British subjects ar
rested in Caraas yesterday is in accord
ance with the plan agreed upon between
the German and British ambassadors and
Secretary Hay when the former called at
the State Department fully three weeks
ago and. in anticipation of the present
ugly situation in Venezuela, requested
that the United States Minister at Car
acas be permitted to protect the lives
and property of all citizens of the Lon
don and Berlin governments in the South
American republic.
1t is understood that President Castro
was advised of this action. 1t was point
ed out by a European diplomat of high
rank today that in forcing Minister
Bowen to demand the release of the ar
rested subjects, President Castro is act
ing directly contrary to the wishes of
the Washington government, not to be-
come involved in the international dis
pute. Both Germany and Great Britain,
it is said. fully appreciate the position
of the United States, and are determined
that this country shall not be unneces-
sarily drawn into the embodiment.