The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1903-01-31
TO RAISE BLOCKADE.
Powers Agree to Accept President
Castro's Proposal.
As soon ms Conditions suggssted by
Him Are Guaranteed, They Win
End blockade of the Nsne-
suelan Coast.

Berlin, Jan. 27.---Written declare.
tions regarding raising the blockade
of the Venezuelan ports Dave been ex-
changed between Minister Bowen and |
the representatives. ofUrcat Britain,
Germany, and Italy.
In their declarations the representa-
tives of the European powers promised
To consent 10 the immediate raising OF |
the blockade as soon as an agreement
is concluded between them and Mr..
Bowen embodying the conditions laid
down 10y the powers. =
These conditions chiefly relate
guarantees 10 be fuypishlk
zuelo, which has offeredfa
the customs revenue OF Ia .-saa
Porto Cabello.
Way Not Resort 40 Hagnc SDurt. q
II lsTstil believed here that all the
matters in dispute will be satisfac-
toriy arranged at Washington with
out resortipg o The Hague arbitration
court Only 1. portion or the~Nenezn-
elan revenues ~ .beoayajIahle for the
payment Of the claims, because of the
large part already hypothecated as Sc
curity for Foreign loans. sIhe German
foreign office Is very -hopeful OF an
early settlement and of the raising OF
the blockade without much further
delay.
A lively exchange OF kilograms oc-
CURED between Germany end Great
Britain on Saturday before the accept
ance of Mr.. Bowen's propositions, as
cabled from Washington. 1t is ex-
planned that Great Britain's accept
ance MAS forwarded 10 Washington
first because Mr.. Bowen submitted his
proposal 10 Ambassador Herbert he
fore seeing Count Quadt. the German
charge d'afraires. Italy's attitude Is.
10 accept any arrangement agreeable
to Great Britain and Germany As
soon as the guarantee for the payment
OF the first grade claims is disposed Of
the negotiations for the settlement of
the remainder will proceed with each
power Independently. The alliance
between Great Britain and Germany
may be considered TO have been des--
nitely ended so soon as the guarantee
Is signed and the consequent RAISING
of the blockade occurs.
The lifting OF the blockade would
not mean the complete Withdrawal
from American waters Of the allied
fleet. and il is understood that not,
only will the British American, feet.
remain in its accustomed winter quar-
tiers in the Caribbean. but that the
German government will depart from
its ancient policy. which has been to-
get along without station fleets, and
will continue the present squadron in
American waters as permanent fleet.
Gcrmanys OmciaI statenest.
Berlin Jan. 20. LIN an official state
ment given ont in regard TO the hom-
bardment Of Fort San Carlos at Mara
caibo, il was pointed out:
First. That the bombardment oc-
CURED while Mr.. Bowen, the American
minister and representative Of Nene-
zuela in the negotiations at Washing.
ton was on his way TO the latter city.
Therefore the negotiations had not
actually begun.
Second II is claimed that the fault
OF the matter lies wholly al President
Castro's door. and that he alone is re-
sponsible for every life lost and any
injury inflicted
Third. II was the right and the duty
OF the Panther 20 secure free passage
OF the lagoon. and in discharging the
undertaking of the other powers 20
secure control OF the lagoon and i'm
spect the vessels therein the Panther
had no intention OF hulnhniding the
forts, and had no orders 10 do so.
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