Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-15
British Legation Reopened.

A dispatch from Caracas yesterday says:
The British legation here was reopened
Saturday night under the American flag by
". w. Russell, secretary OF the American
legation.
cation here. is to demand payment of her
claims against Venezuela has been con-
hrmed.
The arrival Of the United States gunboat
Marcia at La Guaira Friday was due to
rumOr that United States Minister Bowen
was I'm danger There has been no ground
for such a rumor, and the presence of the
Marietta was not requested by Mr.. Bowen.
The situation in Caracas continues to be
critical, and there is intense excitement
among the German residents of the city.
Today the Germans sought refuge at the
American legation, where they will be shell
tered. Mr.. Bowen has gotten In quantities
Of all kinds OF provisions, to be prepared
for any emergency.
The enlistment of Venezuelan soldiers
continues: 1000 men from the environs Of
Caracas came into this city today.
The bOycotting of German and British
goods continues. The British and German
colleges here. which were boycotted, have
closed their doors The University of Cara
cas- also IS closed Priests are eachng
for war. 1t Is reported that ninety Ger
mans living in the country have offered to
support the Venezuelan government against
Germany.
Conduct of Allies Criticized.
Leading German and British residents Of
Caracas are very bitter against their re-
spectlve ministers. whom they accuse Of
leaving Caracas without giving any intima-
ton of their intention to abandon the city.
The note from the commanders of the
allied feet. which was sent to the Ven
ezuelan vessels lying at La Guaira, Is sup
posed to herald the blockade.
The people of Caracas are astonished that
the government at Washington remains ST.
lent in spite Of the recent acts OF the allied
fleet.
The fact that the people of Venezuela are
in absolute ignorance OF the designs Of the
allies upon their country creates deep and
disturbing impression here. The chief OFF,
Ger OF President Castros guard said today
to the representative OF the Associated
Press:
''If there Is to be war let US know and we
will fight. II there Is to be only assault
our coast, where we cannot reach the
allies. the only thing left for US to do is to
declare that to destroy your debtors furni-
ture is a strange way to force the payment
of his obligation. l believe this situation
will soon come within the scope OF the
Monroe doctrine"
President Castro learned Saturday morn
ing OF the Illness OF Nine. Pilgrim
Baltazzi and in the afternoon. accompanied
by his wife and a number OF Venezuelan
officers he called at the German legation.
Here the visitors were received by United
States Minister Bowen. who escorted them
to the room OF the invalid. President Cas-
tro greeted Nine. Won Pilgrim Baltazzl and
spoke to her OF her husband in a friendly
way, saying he held the German envoy in
high regard. The president OF Venezuela
produced favorable impression upon Nine.
Won Pilgrim Baltazzi. and before he left
the German legation he offered her the hos
pitality of the yellow House." the capitol
OF Caracas.
Steamer Yucatan is Warned.
LONDON. December 15.-In a dispatch
from Willemstad. Curacao. dated Deem
Der Il. the correspondent Of the Daily Mall
says the Anglo-German warships are block
was warned by the British cruiser indie
fstigible not to enter La Guaira, and re-
turned to Curacao. The Venezuelan gov
eminent has declined the offer of a loan.
made by a German banker Of Caracas. to
settle the claims against It.
The news that the first shots have Been
fired In Venezuela has awakened the mos,
apathetic OF the critics to the gravity OF
the situation which is developing In that
country. and the demands that the govern
ment present official papers in the matter
20 parliament are now most insistent. These
demands are accompanied by comments to
the effect that Foreign Secretary Lans-
downe has failed to display. either in the
war office or the foreign office. such con-
spicuous ability as to Induce the nation to
trust him with o blank checque'' In such q
complicated and combustible matter as
Venezuela threatens to prove. The Asso-
ciated Press understands that the papers
will be issued today or Wednesday at the
latest
Thus far the British public has had to
depend entirely upon press dispatches for
its news. and the serious complaint Is mado
that the public u Obliged and Indebted to
American newspapers for the text OF the
British and German ultimatums to Vene-
xueia. The revelation of the terms OF the
British ultimatum does not enhance the
existing appreciation OF the British govern
ments management OF the affair
One nswspapsr. referring this morning to