Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-24
BOWEN WON'T FAIL.
This in Spite of Germnny's Present
AppresnfOn

A4S III CpllG VI - So
Aggression.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. January 3D.
notwithstanding the irritation felt here
in government circles at what is regarded
as the purely needless and revengetul
bombardment Of the Venezuelan forts by
tine German Warships, the conclusion at
the present time is that t.lis Incident
will not prevent Mr.. Bowen from success
fully carrying out his mission of peace
The utterances of Count Won Buelow in
the German Reicnstag yesterday are re-
garded here as conveying the int1matlon
that the German warshlps are acting
under orders from their home government,
With the purpose of avenging themselves
for the repulse of the Panther in its first
attack upon these forts.
However this may be, the United States
Government cannot at this moment see
any proper excuse for entering into this
quarrel between Germany and Venezuela.
It is again emphatically stated that when
the United States exercised its good offices
! 10 the extent of bringing the allies and
the venezuelan Government into negotia-
tons, it exhausted it's proper functions
in that direction, and could do no more.
NO ANSWER TO HIS PROPOSITION.
Minister Bowens proposition is one Of
patient waiting. He has not yet received
an answer from his initial proposition to
the allies tina. the blockaue be imme
diately raised. Much as he deplores the
inexpicable action OF Germany in twice
bombarding the San Carlos forts, with a
force many times as large as 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.
noIo fc to Y,6a faI IN no 10.
tions at Washington, because Of the linn
iteo powers given the representa- ives of
the allies here. It appears that they are
unable to make a move, save under spe-
cific instructions from their foreign Of
fees.
To Resist German Landing.
MARACAIBO. January 2s.-Pres:dent
Aranguren. of the State OF Maracaibo
has, by decree published last night, called
to arms all citizens, from 16 to 60 years
of age, belonging to the militia, in order
to resist the possible landing of German
forces at Lake Maracaibo. About ~,
men Immediately answered the call.
Explanation OF Smelling.
BERLIN. January 23.-Commodo-e
Sheder. commander O. the German fleet
In Venezuelan waters officially reports the:
bombardment of Fort San Carlos from
follows:
ION the 17tn instant. While the Panther
was passing the Maracaibo bar, she was
unexpectedly attacked by Fort San Car
los. which opened a heavy fire on her.
To this the Panther replied, and a cam
nonade was exchanged for half an hour
Owing to the difficulties Of navigation.
Tue Panther, then desisted.
In order to nflict immediate punish
Efor To- otf oo1r co
Venezuelan Government had proclaimed
it victory. l bombard'ed the fort. with
the Nineta, on the 21st instant, and de-
stroyed it,
<Germnny,s Attitude.
BERLIN. January 23.-In the Reichstag
to-day, Foreign Secretary Won R.chtofen
expressed the hope that tue Venezuelan
difficulties would soon be settled. He
said:
..rhe negotiations at Washington. it IS
hoped, will show an early result, render
ing it possible to raise the blockade. So
long as the blockade exists, however, re-
spect for it must be enforced. The action
against Maracaibo was undertaken for.
this purpose.
"The Venezuelan Government not only
refused to settle the debts contracted
with German citizens. as is generally adj
m.tted, but at the same time. committed
brutal acts Of violence against Germans
and German property.
DIPLOMACY NOT #SUFFlCIIENT.
I'VE made complaint of these matters
through diploma tic channels. but did not
succeed in making progress upon this
basis. The Venezuelan Government de-
clared thats:t must exclude all these Ca ses
from diplomatic treatme nt. In one mem
communicated to US through a
note. it characterized our intended course
in the affair as insulting. inadmissible-
outrageous, and preposlerous. We made
to settle the controversy by ar
bitration as early as July. 1901. at a time