River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-01-08
DANGER FOR CASTRO.
Success of Rebels Likely to Cause
His Overthrow.
This Would Spoil Plans for Arbitra-
ton, and Involve che Allies I'm
New COmpIicatiOns-Fina
ciaI Panic at Caracas.

Caracas, Jan. 5.-The report that
President Castro proposes to abdi-
cate or resign the presidency Of Ven
ezuela is untrue A pondent
saw the president with regard to this
matter Sunday. The president
laughed when questioned, and then
said, thoughtfully:
You are at liberty to say that I
have fought during two years to re-
tain the supreme power which was
invested in me by the people of
Venezuela. l will no more abdicatc
tLan [ will resign. The Matos revo-
luton, without assistance from for
eign powers, will soon be past
story"
Cnstro's Position Critical.
Washington. Jan. 5.-A telegram in
cipher received by Secretary Hay Sun
day from Herbert W. Bowen, the
United States minister at Caracas, con-
tanned the disturbing informa ton that
a new crisis had arisen in Venezuela
which may threaten the success of the
agreement of all parties concerned to
refer the claims of Great Britain. Ger
many and Italy to The Hague court of
arbitration.
Minister Bowen reports that through
the development of unexpected
strength on the part of the Venezuelan
revolutionists the situation of Presi-
dent Castro's government has become
extremely critical. The national treas
ury is empty, which means that Castro
is without pecuniary resources to con-
tinue the stand he has made so sue
cessfully against the forces of his in
ternal enemies, who are apparently
we'll supplied with arms and the where
Withal to carry on their struggle.
Cactro May BE Overthrow.
The inference is that Castro may be
compelled to abandon the relns of gov
eminent. A change in the control of
the republic might bring about a re-
sumption of the dangerous conditions
which prevailed when the coeTcive
measures Of the allies were begun.
A new national administration at
Caracas may mean the undoing of all
that has been accomplished toward
peace between Venezuela and the
powers. Should Castro be over
thrown his triumphant successors
may repudiate all that has been done
by him to bring about a settlement
of the international questions.
Naturally the administration in
No Duor ha,
news sent by Minister Bowen. Every
days delay in the signing of the ar
bitration protocol means additional
danger to the endeavor Of the Unit
ed States to get European war yes
sells out of Venezuelan waters. Pres
ident Roosevelt and Secretary Hay
will Immediately proceed to the ex-
tremes of diplomacy to secure quick
contamination of the unders landing
that the Venezuelan dispute shall be
referred to me Hague tribunal.
Custom House Seized.
La Guayra, Jan. 5.-One hundred
and fifty German marines were land
ed at Puerto Cabello at daybreak
Saturday morning. They took pos
session of the custom house and the
wharves. The landing took the
people by surprise, but the alarm
was spread, and intense excitement
took possession of all the inhabitants.
Barricades were thrown up in the
streets and the people assembled
under arms, prepared to offer re-
sistance. Commodore Scheder, the
commander of the German fleet, sent
a note to the American consul inform
ing him that the occupation of the
wharves by the Germans was only
for the purpose of protecting Ger
mans who were to take Venezuelan
ships, which had taken refuge inside
the harbor, to the open sea, and to
make the blockade effective. This
had a calming effect on the people,
who at first believed that the allies
intended to occupy all the custom
houses in the country.
Thinks 1t a Canard.
Berlin, Jan. 5.-rhe government is
without information regarding the
landing of German marines at Puerto
Cabello, Venezuela. The foreign of
fee says that if such landing oc-
CURED it must certainly have been
transient, and REGARDS the reported
seizure of the customs house at
Puerto Cabello by German marines
as a canard.
Berlin newspapers demand that Ger
many's claims be pressed regardless of
the Monroe doctrine. The United
States is called on to pay or guarantee
the debt if collection is objected to.
To Consult the President.
London. Jan. Capt ShaWe-Tay-