Delaware gazette and state journal., 1902-12-18

BILE Tor III the Hnrshness Towards Fene-
zueIa-They Say the sombsrdment of tho
Venezuelan Forts Was ut the Suggestion
ofthe British Commander.
Associated Press Dispatch by Special Wires.
Berlin. Prussia, Dec. 1.-THE For
eign Office bere denies explicitly that
the German squadron in Venezuelan
waters has orders to sRize Msrgarita
Island. adding that no cccuration of
the territory Of Venezuela will occur.
The Foreign Office officials aIlege
that systematic effort is apparently
being made to represent Germany as
the propelliBg power in the coercion
OF Venezuela, and as being responsible
fer all the harsh measures. For in
stance, they cay, the bembsrdment Of
the forts at Puerto Catello is asoribed
to German initiative, whereas the For
eign Office officials say without reser-
walton that the bombardment was at
the British commanders suggestion,
the Topaze being British ship. The
German commander participated in the
firing as loyal ally.
The German government is not in
sisting on more severe measures than
the original plan contemplated, and
regards the sinking of The "tso
diininutive, wholly unseawortoy craft"
as an ''insignificant incident.
Germany and Great Britain are still
considering President Castfn'g aroitra-
( tion proposition, but The deliberations
have not yet reached! o stage who're
| the results cen bs CGhlislisc.
/ The Berlin newspapers t3Eey print a
statement from kis. that shs German
I cruisers Arsans. .asn@soas AID Siuhe
ale again betng egu.pissc fsf departure
! to Venezuela. bus filc correspondent ct
! The Associated pfsx3 il infs,ae6
( officially that no such ORDERS hnss teen
l given, and that 10, will dersnd latof
i upon the demands of the :I5nsais
| whether additional vessels will bs s5at
San Rose, Costa Rica, Dec. lf.--ilhs
/ Costa Rican government will not die
cuss the Venezuelan situation, cut Il
upon as setting a good example 10
! Spanish America.
STATE OF WAR ACTUALLY EXISTS.
London, Eng, Dec. II. i'm the course
| of long statement in the House oi
! Commons today, Premier Balfour said
! there was no such thing as "paoific
blockade. " A state of war actually
existed in Venezuela, and an intimation
! of the blockade would shortly be given
TO the Powers. Mr.. Bslfour added tina:
4 the blockade would be carried out with
as little Inconvenience TO neutrsls a:
possible. Nothing definite had occurred
with reference TO the arbitration pro
posal since his previous statement on
the subject. The Premier also said the
operations were reluctantly undertaken,
not to recover debts, but, after long
and patient delay. to recover compensa.
tion for assaults on Britigh subject;
and the seizure of British vessels.
Mr.. Balfour's statement was made in
reply TO the desire of the Liberal
leader. Sir Henry Campbell Banner
man, for information on the Venezuelan
situation.
After reiterating Lord Lausdowne's
brief statement in the House of Lords
yesterday, the premier continued
1.-THE blockade will be carried out by
Great Britain and Germany alonl
different portions of the coast, and,
though the two fleets will have the
same objects, they will not act as ons
force. We never had any intention o.
landing troops in Venezuela, or OF oo
cupying territory even temporarily. W.
do not think it desirable on eithei
military or other grounds. All the con
ditions governing such blockade hav,
been carefully considered and viii
be published in due time for the in
formation of neutrals. The government
is most anxious that these operations
tho necessity for which we deeply re
gret. should be OF as little inconveni
ence to neutrals as they can possibl,
be made. No difference will be mad
between the vessels of the varion
neutral Powers. l think it is quit
likely that the United States will thinl
that there can not be such thing a
a pacific blockade, and /, personally
take the same view. Evidently
blockade involves state Of war. /"
Mr.. Healy, Irish Nationalist, aske'
if Che United States assented to /
blockade which would exclude UniteI
States vessels.
Mr.. Balfour replied: "Neutrals ar
not consulted when you are in a stat
Of war with third party.
"Is war declared?'' asked Mr.. Healy
The Premier replied -. Does the hon
orable member suppose that without
state of war you can take vessels ant
have hlockade?'
Il Replying to further questions, Mr.
II D6iu dC A1h H1hhihH w NAa 10
garding arbitration beyond what wa
contained in his previous statement oi
the subject. Papers were beisg pre-
pared, and would be presented to tn
House as soon as possible.
ITALY In THE sSARI.
Washington, Dec. II. The only cabl
gram received at the Stale Departmen
.. from Minister Bowen over night wa
the announcement that the Italiai
minister at Caracas had requested hin
TO take charge of italian interests il
Venezuela, which, under the State De
partment's instructions, he was abou
! to do, and the minister was leavinI
Caracas. This cahlegram was sent fror
Caracas last night.
CASTRO OFFERED AID.
New York, Dec. II. The consul
general of Venezuela in this city re
t ceiyed the following cablegram today
Caracas, Dec. l7.-Bankers, bar
commerce, society and clergy, con
stituted in committee, approve tn
governments attitude and offer Presi
dent Castro their aid unreservedly.
Forres Cardenss,