Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-18
,srlin Says Offer is Declined; VsneEuela
Claims it IS Accepted.
BRITAIN ANNOUNCES WAR As NOW ON
Premier Tells Parliament Diplomacy Knows
Nothing Of Peaceful RlookadeE
ITALIAN MINISTER LEAVES COUNTRY
Bowen EntertRins EnRIishmen. who
Live at Embassy while EmBroHIIo
Continues and Necessttat-s In
crease or American stan.

CARACAS. Dec 1.-THE Italian minister
left Caracas this morning. At 8 o'clock
Mr.. Bowen. went to the Italian legation in
a state carriage and took the Italian min
lister. Slgnur de Riva. and the Italian con-
sui. Slgnor Gazzurrelli. and conducted them
to the railroad station, where they wero
met by the leading italian residents OF this
CITY Mr.. Bowen then accompanied the
minister to his car. shook hands with him
and handed him papers and cigars for his
journey to La Guayra.
The Venezuelan newspapers are still
ignorant of the Italian ultimHtum and
therefore there we're no crowds at the
station and no hostile demonstration.
This note was transmitted to President
Castro this afternoon. and was signed by
all the leading merchants. bankers and
agriculturtsts Of Caracas. who will meet
tonight and discuss ways and means Of
obtaining money to pay venezueIa's debts
The note is as follows:
Sir:-rhe undersigned. having met with
the purpose OF Offering their aid to the
government Of Venezuela in the present
conflicting situation. which has been crs-
acted by the aggressive attitude Of Ger
many and Great Britain. ana upun your
NJ eueSS 'sSSro 20 give our opinions in writing,
In view OF the acts of violence already
committed and Of the absolute Impotence
OF venezuela TO meet force with force in
response to the allied action OF Germany
and Great Britain in view OF the fact that
Venezuela has exhausted all the means
required by civilization ana diplomacy to
put an end to the present situation, and the
government ami people OF Venezuela have
computed honorably and wOrthily to the
demands of national honor, we consider
with all due respect, that the moment to
yield TO force has arrived
We therefore. respectfully recommend
that full power be given to the minister
OF the United States OF America, authuriz-
ing nifn 20 carry out proper measures 10
terminate the present conflict in the man
ner least prejudicial to the interests OF
Venezuela.
The blockade OF La Guayra notification
Of which was communicated to the venez-
uelan government on December 13 went
into effect today. The order applies to
Venezuelan vessels only.
Il has been decided that the Venezuelan
difficulty shall be arhitrated and q discus
sion. of terms OF settlement iB now going
on. Mr. Bowen will Undoubtedly be one OF
the arbitrators.
The government fears that coercivc meas
ures will follow the establishment OF the
blockade, consequently President Castro
continues to act with extraordinary energy
He has transformed the entire country into
vast camp, having raised more than
10000 men, whom he has armed we'll.
eluipptu anu transported 10 LA Guayra
and Puerto Cabello, in the expectation that
the allies would attempt to land at one or
both of those points.
viii Decline Arbitration.
BERLIN, Dec. IA formal notification
OF the blockade of the Venezuelan coast
is likely TO be issued tomorrow. II ls un-
derstoOd that ships OF the United States
will be on precisely the same basis as
those OF other nations.
Germany considers that President Cas-
tros proposal to arbitrate is Inadequate
as 1t is unacconpanied with guarantees to
pay II the arbitrators direct against him,
and reply in that sense has been or will
be sent through Mr.. Bowen. Great Britain
will make a similar answer.
These statements are not made oficiaIly
but are derived from an excellent source
The Foreign ONCE here denied explicitly
that the German squadron in venezuelan
waters has been ordered to Beize Marzarita
island. adding that no occupation of the
territory OF Venezuela is to be allowed
The Foreign Office ofncials aliege that a
systematic effort is apparently being made
to represent Germany as the propellinR
power in the coercion OF Venezuela and as
being responsible for all the harsh meas
ures. For Instance, they say the bumbard-
ment Of the forts at Puerto CabeIlo is as
cribed 20 German initiative. whereas tho
officials say, without reservation, that IL
was at the British commanders sugEeH-
ton, Topaze being a British ship The
German commander participated in the nr-
ing a loyal ally.
The German government iH not insisting
on more severe measures than the original
plan contemplated and regards the sinking
OF the two "diminutivs. wholly unseaworthy
craft as an insignificant incident"
WASHINGTON. Dec. 1.-THE officials
here have come To the conclusion that the
protected peaceful blockade" of Vsnezue-
Ian ports cannot be recognized. as against
United States shipping at least.
II the allies seek TO exclude Venezuelan
shipping from entering Venezuelan ports
that might be permitted. but they cannot
exclude United States ships in regular bus
mess unless a genuine state Of war is
recognized.
Senior Oieda. the Spanish minister. and
Baron Monoheucher, the Belgian minister
have not received Official advices relative
TO the Joint note their governments have
addressed 70 President Castro. asking that
in the event OF a settlement OF the claims
OF the allied powers Spain ana Belgium be
gwen similar treatment.
Is the slightest probability OF further
action on the part Of Spain unless events
in Caracas make IL necessary for the
Spanish representative to Withdraw. Min
lister Oteda does not anticipate this In
view OF the strong ties OF friendship that
exists between his government and both
American republics.
Baron Moncheucher regards the posi-
ton Of his country a. thus far neutral,
but in case circumstances change this at
utude II is Hiu.y that Minister Bowen
will be requested 70 look after Belgian
interests in the Venezuelan capital. Bel
sium, having no navy, IL will not be pos
sihie for that country 70 Join in the naval
demonstration or the allied feet.
M Bowen's position iB realized 70 Do
one Of extraordinary dificulty. He is now
IN charge Of the interests OF Great Britain.
Germany Italy and Holland. besides
those Of ths United States. and may be
called upon 70 take charge OF the rs-
nAindsr OF ths European countries, vita