The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-11
AT WAR WITH VENEZUELA.
Washington View Of the Angie.(; erman
MOye-Messages From Our Minister.

WASHINGTON, Dec. lO-In the opinion
OF State Department officials the seizure
OF Venezuelan warships by the joint British
and German squadron at La Guayra Is
a virtual act of hostility. and war may now
be regarded as technically existing between
the two European Governments and Vene-
zuela.
Whether the warfare will be continued
to the extent of actual conflict remains for
Venezuela to say. Any hostile act or armed
resistance on Pr s!dent Castro's part it will.
is confidently predict ad, result in the landing
Of British and German forces on Venezuelan
soil and the bombardment Of ports of that
country.
Mr.. BOWEN ACTS PROMPTLY.
Two dispatches from Herbert W. Bowen.
were received by the State Department
to-day. The first related to the arrest Of
German and British SUBJECTS by order
Of President Castro and the subsequent
release Of some Of them upon the request
of Mr.. Bowen, who is In charge OF British
and German interests during the present
unpleasa mt ness.
The other and more important message
told OF the seizure OF six Venezuelan war
vessels by the allied squadron. In this
despatch Mr. Bowen said that IL was prob
able that more Venezuelan ships had been
taken at other ports than La Guayra
He added that the Venezuelan authori-
ties had not given up hope that the trouble
with England and Germany would be adj
justed by arbitration, the two European
nations having, In their ultimatum, az reed
20 submit questions at issue to mixed
tribunal il Venezuela would Immediately
nav 900 in satisfaction Of claims of
British and German subjects growing out
of damages inflicted on their property in
revolutions previous to the one which has
apparently lust ended
MIR. BOwRN SECURES PRISONERS RELEASE
Upon learning of the arrests Mr.. Bowen,
acting az the authorized representative of
British and German interests. endea vored
to secure the release Of the persons arrested,
and was successful with regard TO some Of
them after experiencing much difficulty
1t ia evident from Mr.. Bowen's message
that Castro was very vehement in denying
his right to ask for the release Of the Euro
peans arrested. Mr.. Bowen. however, cue
ceeded finally in making Castro understand
that II was a REQ gnized principle among
civilized nations that the diplomatic repre-
sentative of n neutral nation should be
ecognized, II requested 10 do so. by a ma
ton which became involved in war with
another nation, "a the representative Of
he was accredited had become involved In
hostllities. Mr.. Bowen pointed out that he
was bound in honor not 10 decline the re-
quest Of the withdrawing English and Ger
man diplomats. ,and, having made II clear
that he was right, formally asked for the
release OF the Englishmen and Germans
lto argued thai they had not violated tho
rules of war or Committed aliy unlawful
act, and were, therefore, not amenahle to
military arrest. Castro agreed TO release
some Of the prisoners. but took the cases Of
the others under consideration
OUR ATTITUDE.
II was said to-day by Cibinet officer that
while President Roosevelt was kecnly inter-
ested in the situation he had not given any
COZ sideration to the matter Of sending
American warships to La Guayra. The
little gunboat Marietta Is the only American
man -of-war in Venezuelan waters, and it is
learned that the Navy Department has no
present intention 81 reinforcing her, al
though it Is admitted that plenty Of ships
are available for the pur pose.
While most American naval officers
have no love for Castro, and would well
come the application Of little discipline
TO him, there Is still very strong feeling
in the service against the exercise Of Eu-
ropean coarcivc measures Ia the Western
Hemisphere. and with a great gathering
ships Ia single harbor 1t IL feared that
something might happen 10 cause an I'M
pleasant International feeling. The mem.
orv Of the disagreeabe state Of affairs
German squadron was thorr during Dewev's
blockade has not fad from the minds
Of officials here on ials Of the Au-
lniuistra,ion profess to have the fullest
confidence IL the intention OF Germany
and Great Britain not to commit any act
that would DO distasteful to the United
States,
1t is believed hero that as a result OF the
seizure OF the gunboats, the revolutionists,
who are making renewed effort to depose
President Castro will succeed, in which
event Germany and England might wait
little longer for a settlement The revo-
of their sympathizers here said yesterday
that they will take advantage Of the present
state Of affairs 10 ask Germany and England
10 recognize their beligerency.
Notwithstanding the seizure Of the GUS
tom house at La Guayra, tho Venezuelan
Consul General here will sign all consular
invoices and other papers for the steamer
Caracas which sails for La Guayra Oh
saturday