Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-18
DO NOT WANT WAR
Citizens of Caracas Ask for
Arbitration.
PRESSURE ON CASTRO
TO APPEAL TO ALLIES THROUGH
Mr. BOWEN.
Venezuelan President Will Yield, It is
Believed, but is Preparing
for Defense.
PRESSURE ON CASTRO

A dispatch from Caracas last night says:
1t has been decided that the Venezuelan
difficulty shall be arbitrated. and the dis
cussion of terms Of settlement Is now going
on United States Minister Bowen un-
doubtedly will be one Of the arbitrator.
The government fears that coercive meas
ures will follow the establishment of the
blockade.
The awakening of the Venezuelan people
to the present situation of their country
is accompanied by feelings Of bitterness and
sorrow. Their fleet has been destroyed
and their pride has been deeply wounded.
but they are resigned to accept the affront
which they consider has been offered them
by the allies.
During the last ten days President Castro
has acted with extraordinary energy. He
has transformed the entire country into a
vast camp. having raised more than 10000
men, whom he has well armed, equipped
and transported from every direction to La
Guaira and Puerto Cabello, in the expecta-
ton that the allies would attempt to land
at one or both of these points.
But there has been change of feeling.
and the prominent men of Venezuela, who
were at one time ready to lead the people in
the defense Of their country, now consider
that justification to take the men of the
republic away from their families and their
work does not exist. They have resolved
to discover means to bring about arbi-
tration, or at least treat with the allies.
The means sought Is thought to lie through
the United States legation, and satisfactory
results are on every hand expected to fol-
low.
A member of the ministry said to the
correspondent of the Associated Press:
THE United States has not prevented
the allies from assailing u.s. but 1t has
obliged them to accept our terms
Indications here are that Venezuela will
yield to the demands of the allies.
The leading citizens of Caracas have ad-
dressed a joint note to President Castro,
asking him to give full powers to United
States Minister Bowen to effect termi-
nation of the present difficulty. This note
was transmitted to President Castro at 1
O'Clock this afternoon. 1t is signed by
agriculturists Of Caracas 1t reflects truly
the consensus of current opinion among
the business element of this city. The men
who signed the note met again tonight to
discuss ways and means Of obtaining money
with which Venezuela can meet her obli-
cations, as well as the guarantees which
it will be possible to offer to creditors.
The blockade of La Guaira, notification
of which in the names of Great Britain and
Germany was communicated to the Vene-
zuelan government December ID, went into
effect today.
The order applies to Venezuelan vessels
only.
The italian minister left Caracas this
morning.
At 8 o'clock this morning Minister Bowen
went to the Italian legation In state car
riage accompanied by Secretary Russell,
and took the Italian minister, Sig. de Riva
and the Italian consul, Sig. GazzureIli and
conducted them to the railroad station,
where they were met by the leading Italian
residents of this city. Mr.. Bowen then ac-
companied the minister to his car, shook
hands with him and handed him pal ers and
cigars for his journey to La Guaira.
The Venezuelan newspapers are still ig-
norant of the fact that the Italian minister
presented an ultimatum to the Venezuelan
government yesterday afternoon, and there
fore there were no crowds at the railroad
station and no hostile demonstration.
RumorS have been in circulation here
lately of the capture of the last Venezuelan
gunboat, the Miranda. at Maracaibo by
the German cruiser Fake. 1t is now re-
ported, however, that the Miranda has
taken refuge in the Lake of Maracaibo
and that all the guns and ammunition
which were on board have been disem-
barked.
Paris Hears Bombardment Rumor.
PARIS, December 1S.-The Caracas corre-
spondent of the Matin says: TT is an
nounced that the allies intend to lombard
Fort San Carlos, in the Gulf of Maracaibo,
today
Sixteen hundred revolutionists under
General Ramos have occupied Rio Chico
in the state of Miranda"