Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-12-12
The 0ssuu Probably Mistaken for
A Venezuelan Vessel,
FRANCE MAY OBJECT TO IT.
II Not soon Released Rs re enisiions
VIII be Made 10 Gerinany- situation
Very Delicate.

Paris, Dec. liza lengthy official dis
patch has been received at the foreign
office here from Caracas, saying that
the boats OF the German warships In
SELLING the vessels supposed TO belong
to Venezuela, also captured a French
merchant steamer the Ossun. These
adyices reached here so late today that
the officials were unable to say what
steps would be taken In the matter, but
1t Is believed that unless the Germans
promptly rectify the mistake and re-
lease the ossun. representations on the
subject will be made to Germany. This
Is also taken to indicate the delicate
state Of the situation and the possible
tiles OF international complications be-
yond those involved In Venezuela alone.
The Ossun was owned by French
man, who used her In the coasting
trade OF South America. About eight
months ago the Ossun was seized by
the friends OF President Castro on the
ground that the step was u military
necessity. and the Venezuelan flag was
hoiotcu VII bbufu tIlc hltdtlltIs
France protested against the SELF
ure and pur In claim for an indem-
nifty. This Is one Of the claims which
Is now to be submitted TO arbitration,
Venezuela conceding that the Ossun
was French vessel.
1t is thought here that the seizure
OF the ussun by the Germans was due
to the enforced service Of that vessel
under the Venezuelan flag, but the
French nationality of the Ossun ia con-
sidered here TO be unquestionable.
The advices from Caracas indicate
that some tension Is arising between
the British and German naval COM
mandcrs over the methods CT enforcing
the demands.
The German authorities insist on de-
cisive action, and the advices received
here show that they have landed q
small German force besides SELLING the
ships. The British commander desires
to proceed slower and more In accord
ance with the usual course of dtplo-
macy. As result OF this friction, some
of the leading diplomatic representa-
tives at Caracas have reported that II
Is not likely that the British will par
ticipate In the seizure of the customs
house. III this is borne out. the off,
Gals here consider that the Joint char
acter Of the operations viii be consid-
erably interrupted.
Leading French officials openly ex-
press qualification that France has Sc
cured, through diplomacy, what other
powers were seeking to obtain through
force.
1t Is learned from an authoritative
source that the French claims, which
will be submitted 10 the coming arbi-
tration amount to $l0,000000. This in
cludes $500 900 demanded for the prac-
teal destruction OF the French rail-
roads running from the gulf of Mara
caibo TO the mountains. The recent
protocol restricted arbitration TO the
damages occurring prior TO 1899. but
as the railroad was begun prior to 1899
and was continued through the recent
revolution, France will insist that the
claim be arbitrated under the protocol.
The claims which II has not been de-
clded 10 submit to arbitration aggre-
gate A,400,000. but II Is believed that
these also will be included before the
arbitration is closed, and 1t Is under
stood that the arbitration viii result
in Venezuela allowing France to collecs
the duties at one or two ports until her
claims are paid. which may raise fur
Their issues II all the Venezuela ports
are occupied forcibly by other powers.
Public and newspaper opinion In
Paris tends TO sympathize with Vene-
zuela as being the victim OF undue Sc
verify on the part OF the. strong pow
ers. The Temps says:
IF the United States has nothing to
say on the Monroe doctrine In this af-
fair, II may be time for Europe to speak
In the interest OF universal peace"