The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-02-12
GERMANY STILL 0BDURAlE.
Emperor Bill Again Blocks Negotia.
tions in Venezuela Case and
Seems Bent on Trouble.

A Washington special says: AS the
Venezuelan issue stands now the Brit
ish protocol is so drawn that Hr. Bow
en- may accept it in principle. But the
German draft is unacceptable and the
differences between the negotiators as
to this protocol are more marked
than in the case Of any other.
One statement made, and this state
ment is not by Mr.. Bowen, was, that
while the Germans, with other allies,
in principle accept the reference to
The Hague of the question Of allowing
preferential claims, yet their protocol
is so drawn as to practically require
such preferential treatment in advance
of the submission of the case to that
tribunal.
Mr.. Bowen feels that the protocol
would not be acceptable to the Ven
ezuelan government and he has there
fore declined to sign it in its present
form, which necessitates reference
of the document back to Berlin and an
extension of the negotiations beyond
the time when it was hoped by the au-
thorities here that this phase Of the
subject could be closed and the block
ade lifted.
The reports that come from Caracas
are to the effect that great suffering
is being inflicted upon many innocent
persons and the foreign residents are
bearing more than their share OF the
rigors of the blockade, because their
more complex wants are not to be
satisfied with the native food which
sufices the Venezuelans.
From this element pressure Is being
brought to bear upon London, Berlin
and Rome, which may have some ef-
feet in fastening the negotiations. Il,
Is believed that Italy is not likely to
prove an obstacle to the winding up
of the negotiations for, although nat
urally desirous Of securing all the ad.
Yantages she can by the injection into
the protocol Of extraneous matter, 1t
is not believed that she will prove
obstinate when once her allies have
harmonized upon plan which can be
accepted by Venezuela.
Baron Won Sternberg, the German
minister, was very active Monday
morning in his efforts to hasten the
negotiations and spent some time with
the British ambassador and with Mr..
Bowen at the latter's hotel.
United States May be Drawn In.
There is a distinct probability OF
this government yet being drawn into
the controversy. Bowen is reported
to have said that the German proposal
infringes upon principle dear to the
heart and if Germany insists upon her
present position he will>carry the mat
ter to the American government.
Moving Against the Rebels.
Advices from Caracas state that a
force of 1000 men with fifty horses
and two guns under the command oof
Minister Of War General Ferrera, left
Caracas Monday morning in the direc-
ton of the seaport Higuerote, So
miles east of Caracas. The 0eb1ect OF
the expedition is to attack a body OF
1900 revolutionists under General Mo-
nagas, who is reported to be too fee
BILE to attack the government, but
strong enough to devastate the dis
trict around Rio Chico, province OF
Miranda, 60 miles southeast of Cara
cas-, and daily enter and pillage the
town.
Even ardent revolutionists seem to
recognize that President Castro IS
master of the situation.