The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-12-12
SAM is PLEASED
WITH THE CONDUCT OF MINISTER
BOWEN AT CARACAS.
But Events May Yet Call for the APP
pesranoe Of an An erioan Fleet on
the Scene.

Washington, December 1.-THE state de-
partment is 50 far well pleased with the
energetic yet discreet manner in which
Minister Bowen has acted. There have
been no orders issued TO any Of our naval
vessels to repair to Venezuelan ports, and
1t is not intended to Issue such orders IN
less an emergency should arise. as the
presence Of foreign men Of war In such
cases as this is apt to cause useless frlc-
ton There is, Of course, always danger
TINT the attempt Of an American vessel
10 pass the peaceful blockade" may IN
the end call for the appearance Of Ame-l-
can men Of war upon the scene.
1t is an interesting fact that up to this
point the state department has not under
taken to recognize the Limitations that
might be placed on American commerce In
case OF a Venezuelan blockade. The Ger
man government, no later than last year,
sought to secure an understanding on this
point, but the state department simply re-
corded the views OF the government, with
ont either accepting or rejecting them, so
that our hands arc free. The matter came
up in December 1901, when Germany was
considering coercive measures against vene-
zuela and addressed the following prone
morla to the state department:
Imperial German Embassy, Washington,
D. c. December 20, 10O1.-In case the Ger
man government should be obliged 20 use
coercion against Venezuela In connection
with the pending claims, It will have 10 be
considered what kind of measures should be
applied.
"The most important measure OF cooper
ntion-that Is, the blockade Of Venezuelan
harbors-would have TO be carried through
! without declaration Of war preceding II.
! Tho blockade would therefore be a peace
| fuI blockade. Such a blockade would touch
| likewise the ships Of neutral powers, mas.
! much as such ships, although n conhscation
| Of them would not have Ia he considered,
would have 70 he turned away and pro-
blbited until the blockade should he raised.
In the same manner European States have
proceeded on such occasions, especially
| English and French"
Acting under cabled Instructions received
today from their home offices, Mr.. Won
Holleben. the German ambassador, and Sir
| Michael Herbert. the British ambassador,
presented 10 the state department the
thanks Of their governments for the serv.
ices Of Minister Bowen, acting on behalf
Of the United States, in securing the re-
lease Of German and British subjects ar
rested by the president at Caracas. Both
| dlplomats discussed the Venezuelan situa.
ton with Secretary Hay, who offered "a
keep the embassies Informed Of all news
received here from the American legation
at Caracas or from any OF tho American
consuls. This information is being cabled
ne once from the embassies to Berlin and
London, which 1t is understood, are re
cciylng the bulk Of their adyices on the
situation from Washington.
Very little in the way OF direct instruc
lions has been received by either the Ger
man or British ambassador from their gov
eruments on the Venezuelan situation IA
the last few days. They have been direct
ed to assure the state department thai
neither Great Britain nor Germany intendr
TO depart from the plan Of Joint actor
against Venezuela which was drawn up ii
London ana Berlin and submitted TO th'
state department some weeka age.