The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-12

in such cases as this is apt to cause useless
friction. There is, OF course, always danger
pass the peaceful blockade" may in the
end call for the appearance OF American
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
German government no later than last year
sought to secure an understanding on the
point, but the State Department simply re-
corded the views of that government, with
out either accepting or rejecting them, so
that our hands are free. The matter came
up in December 1901 when Germany was
considering coercive measures against Ven
ezuela and addressed the following TO the
State Department:
In case the German government should
be obliged to use coercion against Ven
ezuela in connection with the pending
claims IL Will have TO be considered what
kind of measures should be applied. The
most important measure of coercion
that is, the blockade of Venezuelan har-
borS-would have to be carried through
without declaration of war preceding it.
The blockade would. therefore. be a peace
blockade. Such a blockade would touch
likewise the ships of neutral powers. mas
much such ships, although a confisca-
ton of them would not have to be consid-
cred, would have to be turned away and
prohibited until the blockade should be
raised. In the same manner European
states have proceeded on such occasions,
especially England and France
Acting under cabled instructions received
to-day from their home offices Mr.. Won
Holleben, the German ambassador, and
Sir Michael Herbert the British ambas-
sador, to-day presented to the State De-
partment the thanks of their governments
for the. services of Minister Bowen, act
ing behalf of the United States. in Sc
curing the release of the German and Brit
ish subjects arrested by President Castro,
at Caracas.
Both diplomats discussed the Venezuelan
situation with Secretary Hay, who offered
to keep the embassies informed of all news
received here from the American legation
at Caracas or from any of the American
conSuls. This information is being cabled
at once from the embassies to Berlin and
London, which. it is understood. are re-
ceivfng the bulk of their advices on the
Venezuelan 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
ernments on the Venezuelan situation In
the last few days. They have been direct
neither Great Britain nor Germany in
tends to depart in any particular from the
plan of joint action against Venezuela
which was drawn up in London and Berlin
and submitted to the State Department
some weeks ago.
Mr. Puledo, Venezuela's charge d'affaires
| has received no confirmation from his gov.
| eminent of the sinking of the Venezuelan
gunboats by the foreign fleet off Laguayra
| and to-day he said: IL confess | am unable
to see what the foreign powers mean by
| sinking my countrys little gunboats, which
| are scarcely more than yachts compared
| to the foreign men-of-war. / do not under
stand ii, for the reason that assurances
| have been given in the last day or two
| that the blockade established was to be q
| peace blockade. L regard the sinking of the
gunboats as absolutely unwarranted. II
| will be found that the situation has beer
| gravely complicated thereby"