Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-11

subjects Of the 5BrltlsH anu IeTtIlAil 1,os15
ernments in Caracas. was without pre-
ca1ant IN the history OF civilized countries
ss,,nnosedIy at peace with each other,
and that such action would be regarded
as sufficient ground for declaration of
war. Indeed, by members Of the diplo-
matte corps here it is regarded as being
such a declaration in itself.
Minister Bowen's prompt action in de-
man0ing of President Castro the release
OF the German and British sub]ects ar
rested in Caracas yesterday, is in ac-
cordance with the plan agreed upon be-
tween the German and British ambassa-
doris and Secretary Hay. when the former
called at the State Department fully three
weeks ago. and. in anticipation of the
ugly situation in Venezuela, requested
that the United States minister at Cara
cs be permitted to protect the lives and
property of subjects of the London and
Berlin governments in the event of trou-
bic. President Castro was advised Of
this action
Bowen Embroilcd
Diplomats of high rank say that in
forcing Minister Bowen to demand the
release Of British and German subjects,
President Castro is acting directly con-
trary to the wish of the United States
government. not to become involved in
the International controversy, but Minis
teI Bowen udS necessarily Dsen Drawn
into the embodiment
Blockade by launches.
BERLIN, December 1o.-The naval plans
of Germany and Great Britain provide
for the patroling Of the Venezuelan coast
by launches IN order to prevent snug
Cling, and for the blockade of those Vene-
zuean ports where the custom houses
have not been taken over. in order to
prevent vessels from avoiding the ports
occupied by the allies. Naturally, this
procedure, if it becomes necessary, would
requisition number Of vessels, and as
Great Britain has more ships available
in the West Indies than Germany
the larger portion of the work will fall
on Great Britain, unless Germany sends
out additional cruisers, according to her
first intention.
SEIZED WARSHIPS SUNK.
LA GUAIRA, December 1o.-Ten Ger
man and for1 British cutters captured the
Venezuelan feet yesterday. They went
alongside the Venezuelan vessels and or
dered them to surrender, and without a
shot being fired the British and German
forces seized the fleet in the name of the
German Emperor and the King Of Eng
land. Two Of the vessels, which were I'M
dergoing repairs, were broken up.
The German cruiser Panther steamed
into the harbor during these proceedings,
with her decks cleared for action The
Venezuelan steamers were taken out
side the harbor, and at o'clock this
morning the General Crespo, Tutmo. and
Margarita were sunk. The Ossun was the
only vessel spared. in view of the protest
made by the French charge d'affaires. H.
-Quievreux, who notified the commodore
OF the allied fleet that the Ossun is the
property OF Frenchman.
At 10 o'clock last evening, 100 German
sailors were landed, and proceeded to
CARDINAL, suburb of LaGuaira, in which
is situated the residence of German
Consul Lentz. whom. with his family
they escorted back to LaGuaira. and
placed on the warship Vneta.
On their way back to this port, the
German sailors met party Of Venezue-
Ian soldiers but no collision took place.
At 5 o'clock this morning landing party
OF thirty British seamen went to the
British consulate and conducted the Brit
ism consul. r. Schunck, and his family,
on board the Retribution.
The German and British residents at
LaGuaira have also been arrested, with
the exception of Messrs. Fieldwick,
Prince and LePage, the English directors
of the harbor corporation, who barri-
caded themselves in their homes.
AFTER MORE VENEZUELAN BOATS.
The British torpero-boat destroyer Quail
arrived here at o'clock this afternoon.
The German cruiser Panther left this
morning in the direction of Carupano, and
the German cruiser FalFe has sailed for
Puerto Cabelo, on search for the re-
mander of the Venezuelan fleet.
It is believed that the British cruiser
Indefa tigable is on her way to the Vene-
zualan seaport of Guanta, the port of
Barcelona, where the Venezuelan gum
boat Restaurador. is now lying.
Troops are expected here from Caracas,
as the government is credited with the
intention Of repulsing any landing by the
allied forces.
MEXICAN VIEW OF TROUBLE.
MEXICO CITY, December 10.-El I'M
parcial organ OF the Liberty party, and in
many cases speaking unofticially for the
administration, deplores the conduct of
Venezuela in not having made her credit
good with Germany and Great Britain,
thus provoking armed Intervention. Ell
impartial says it can never sufficiently
depIore that Spanish countries
should give reason for acts Of hostility on
the part Of powerful European nations.
The failure to comply with its obligations
bv one of these Spansh-American peoples
brings discredit upon all Latin-America.
These countries should not presume on
their weakness and the guarantees Of the
Monroe doctrine to avoid rellSlously
meeting their International obligations.