The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-24

morning. At S o'clock Minister Bow
en- went to the Italian legation in a
State carriage, accompanied by Secre-
tary Russell, and took the Italian
minister, Signor de Riya, and the
Italian consul, Signor Gazzurelli, and
conducted them to the railroad station,
where they were met by the leading
Italian residents of this city. Mr..
Bowen then accompanied the minister
to his car, shaking hands with him
and handed him papers and cigars for
his journey to La Guay-a.
The Venezuelan newspapers are still
ignorant Of the fact that the Italian
minister presented an ultimatum to
the Venezuelan Government.
Berlin, December 17.-The foreign
Office here denies explicitly that the
German squadron in Venzuelan waters
has orders to seize Margarita Island,
adding that no occupation of the ter
ritory of Venezuela will occur,
The foreign Office officials admit
that a systematic effort is apparently
being made to represent Germny-
the propelling power in the coercion OF
Venezuela and as being responsible
for all the harsh measures. For in
stance, they say the Dombardment
of the forts at Puerto Cabello is as
cribed to German initiative, whereas
the foreign Office officials say, without
reservation, that the Eombardment
was at the British commanders sug-
gestion, the Topaz being a British
ship. The German commander par
ticipated in teh firing as loyal ally.
Washington, December 1.-THE
following cablegram was sent today
by the navy department to Admiral
Dewey, in command Of the combined
fleets, addressed to San Juan:
"Send competent officer with dis
patch in torpedo boat destroyer or
other vessel to Caracas as assistant to
American minister. )"
The following cablegam also was
sent to Commander Diehl, of the
Marietta, now lying at La Guayra:
"Send Van Duzen Executive officer
of the Marietta) as assistant to the
American minister temporarily .
The officer from Dewey's feet will
relieve Lieut.. Commander Van Duzen,
| who is only an hour distant from
Caracas, when he arrives upon the
scene.
It was stated at the navy department
that one reason for sending the officers
to Caracas was the fact that Mr.. Bow
en- is almost overwhelmed with the
amount Of work imposed upon him
by his many charges. He has nearly
ali of the English residents in Caracas
domiciled in the American legation
and is feeding them from his own
table. AS for the torpedo boat de,
stroyer, tits pointed out that it will
serve as dispatch boat to keep MI.
Bowen in touch with the nearest cable
station to La Guayra, which can be
relied upon to transmit messages to
Washington in case the La Guayra
cable is cut as an incident to the
blockade.
No further orders than that noted
! above went forward to Dewey today,
but Secretary Moody expects to have
ready by tomorrow his order for the
distribution of the vessels of the COM
bined fleets. Up to the present mo,
ment he has not TeacneQ duy setGleo
determination as to any one ship
Caracas, December l7.-Indications
here are that Venezeula will yield to
/ the demands of the allies.
The leading citizens of Caracas have
addressed a joint note to President
Castro, asking him TO give full powers
to United States Minister Bowen
to effect termination of the present
difficulty. This note was transmitted
to President Castro at o'clock this
afternon. 1t is signed by al! leading
merchants, bankers and agricultural
lists OF Caracas. 1t reflects truly the
consensus of current opinion among
the business element OF this city. The
men who signed the note will meet
again tonight to discuss ways and
means of obtaining money with which
it Will be possible to offer to creditors.