Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-23
GERMANY'S REVENGE
Government Officials Irritated
at the Bombardments.
THEKAISER'S ATTITUDE
he IS SAID TO BE MUCH
CHAGRINED.
THEKAISER'S ATTITUDE
Incident Will Not Prevent a Success
full Conclusion Of Minister Bowen's
Mission of Peace.

Notwithstanding the irritation felt in gov
ernment circles here at what is regarded as
purely needless and revengeful bonn
bardment of the Venezuelan forts by the
German warships, the conclusion at the
present time Is that that incident will not
prevent the successful pursuit by Mr..
Bowen OF his mission Of peace. The utter
ances Of Count Won Buelow in the German
reichstag are regarded here as conveying
the intimation that the German warships
are acting by direct orders from their home
government with the purpose of avenging
themselves for the repulse Of the Panther
In its first attack upon those forts. How
ever this may be, the United States govern
ment cannot at this moment see any proper
excuse for entering into the quarrel be-
tween Germany and Venezuela.
1t Is again emphatically stated that when
the United States exercised its good offices
to the extent of bringing the allies and the
Venezuelan government into negotiations
1t exhausted its proper function in that di-
rectton. and could do no more Mr.. Bowen
Is again declared to be not the representa-
tive Of the United States in this matter, but
of Venezuela. and the State Department is
very careful to preserve the appearance of
clining to receive any reports from him or
even encouraging his visits.
Minister Bowen Waiting Patiently.
Meanwhile Minister Bowen's position is
one Of patient waiting. He has not yet re-
ceived an answer to his initial proposition
to the allies that the blockade be immedi-
ately raised. Exchanges are being made
between the London. Berlin and Rome for
eign offices in an effort to prepare joint
reply. Much as he deplores the inexplica-
BILE action of Germany in twice bombarding
the San Carlos forts with a force many
times larger than that of the Venezuelans,
Mr.. Bowen is disposed to treat this parade
Of strength as local" and so far as he is
concerned will not let it interfere with his
efforts to secure peace.
The flight Of the German charge from
Caracas after the presentation of his ulti-
matum and the repulSe of the Panther by
the Venezuelan forts Is regarded as al
fording a motive but not an excuse for the
continuing hostilities OF the German men
of-war, and of course unless some answer
is soon received to the Venezuelan note 4
repetition of these performances will un-
doubtedly bring forth grave consequences.
The Kaiser Chagrined.
1t is said that both these incidents have
been the source of considerable chagrin to
the German emperor, and on that ground
his orders to the Vineta and Panther are
not surprising. 1t is hoped, however,
that the fatalities reported yesterday from
the forts will be sufficient to avenge Ger
man pride, if not to crush the spirit of the
VeneZuelanS.
Limited Powers Of Commissioners.
Delay is to be expected in the negotia-
tions here because of the limited powers
given the representatives. of the allies. It
appears that they are unable to make a
move save under specific instructions from
their foreign offices.
In the matter of the blockade all they
can do is to transmit their governments
answers to Mr.. Bowen. Should the Ger
man note arrive before Baron Sternberg
reaches here Count Quadt will present it
at once to Venezuela's representative. In
deed. charge he is clothed with full
powers to act until the arrival of Ger
many's special envoy.
Mr.. Bowen is pleased with the attitude of
the allies representatives here, all of whom
have had conferences with him, and as
sured him that SO far as they may be
able the negotiations shall proceed with
dispatch. They of course decline to even
comment on the activities in Venezuelan
waters but it is evident that they fully ap-
preciate how greatly the bombardment Of
the forts has increased the gravity of the
situation.
Colder Feeling Toward England.
AT the British embassy comment on any
phase of the situation is refused. Ths
officials are being kept in close touch with
their foreign offices and cables long and
frequent are being exchanged. 1t Is real
lied here that the policy of Great Britain
in making the alliance with Germany will
do much to destroy the recent reaction in
the United States in favor of their British
cousins. Nothing will suit German pur-
poses SO admirably to stir UP strife be-
tween these two countries which are allied
by the strongest Of ties. From Caracas
and London the news comes that the
Anglo-German alliance has been bitterly
received, the officials Of the foreign office
coming In for severe criticism.
Reports from London that Mr.. Bowen
came to Washington with documentary evil
dence of the collusion of the German gov
ernment with the revolutionists in Vene-
Zuela for the overthrow Of Castro are still
la cking in confirmation here. The fact is
stated, however, that the revolutionists are
finding no trouble in securing ammunition
and arms from some source
Venezuela's Attitude.
Reports that Venezuela is ready to ac-
cept peace at any terms were indig-
nantly denied today in an authoritative
quarter. The fact that she is the target Of
a fleet representing an alliance of three
world powers necessarily forces her to
make concessions, and this she has done
in sending representative to Washington
clothed with full powers to effect a settle
ment. But should Germany or the alice
continue the bombarding of forts. burning
of towns and the killing of helpless citi-
Zens, President Castro, through his repre-
sentative here. will undoubtedly appeal to
another source for help. 1t was pointed
out today that such revengeful actions at
a time when psace negotiations were sup
posed to be In progress were unheard of in
the record Of civilized nations and would
not be permitted by civilized people.
THE NEWS IN BERLIN.
German Official Gives Reasnns for