The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-22
B0MBARDMENIS
MAY COMPLICATE
The State Department. Shows Great
Reticence in the Matter
To-day.
Count Quadt, the German Ambassa.
dor, Calls on Mr.. Hay at
His House.
Ii. a %
Exactly What Mr.. Bowen Has Asked
of the Allies as a Con-
dition. -.....,.. !.

bardment of the Venezuelan fort will be found
page 3 of this paper.l
Washington, Jan. pa cablegram has
been received here from MI. Russell,
American charge at Cara cas- confirming
the press report that three German war
ships began to lombard Fort San Carlos
yesterday. = - ~ y 49, ~. O..
There is a singular reticence on the
part of the state department officials in
connection with the Venezuelan situation
and especially with reference to the Ger
man bombardment which may be signih
cant Of the gravity with which they view
the situation. There is no longer any talk
Of eXerting friendly influence to prevent
these bombardments, but it Is difficult for
the department to answer congressional
callers asking for a reasonable explanation.
An annoying feature is the probability
that there may be serious Interference
with Minister Bowen's mission in which
the United States. though not officially
concerned, is deeply interested. There
were rumors to the effect that the state
department had taken steps to give its
views, but this could not be confirmed and
| to-day it was statA that at present the
United States attitude must be one Of
patent waiting.
Secretary Hay still remains at his home
nursing a slight cold. Such business as
| Mr.. Bowen has to do with him Is trans
acted at his house. The minister was
up at an early hour this morning and
! disappeared from his hotel, so it was
! said.
Count Quadt Calls.
| Cards were refused save to the German
| charge, Count Quadt. The latter returned
| unexpectedly from New York last night
| He had been awaiting the arrival from
| Europe of his family. So it is fair sup
position that his sudden return without
meeting them was brought about by the
| untoward turn in Venezuelan affairs.
Count Quadt also had long conference
at the British embassy with Sir Michael
Herbert and he also paid call at the
italian embassy, where the ambassador,
| who is suffering from slight indisposi-
ton, was unable to see him.
| It was stated that nothing in the ma :
ture OF an answer to Minister BOWen's
proposition for a removal Of the blockade
as a, condition precedent to negotiations
! had been received from any of the Euro
pean foreign offices. though it Is admit
ted that there is a free excha nge of notes
in progress between the embassies and
| the European capitals. %s*'- - =
49,. ~ Mir. Rowen,s Work. : s.s e
Without waiting for the diplomatic rep
resentatives lin Washington, Great Brit
ain, Germany and Italy to secure instruc-
lions from their governments to enter into
Mr.. Bowen, on his return, submitted to
them a number Of conditions with which
Venezuela will comply if the blockade OF
her ports is raised.s2< Mr.. Bowen wants the
allies to accept the proposal without par
ley, and once the blockading squadrons
have been withdrawn and all other coer-
icivo measures abandoned, he will be will
ing to enter into conference with the rep
,resentatives of the three European powers
), with the object Of reaching an amicable
agreement on every point at issue. The
!; allies representatives have cabled Mr.
, Bowen's proposal. to their respective gov.
ernments and are now awaiting replies.
In addition to offering to acknowledge
; BILE for the injuries inflicted on the sub
jects Of the European powers, and theil
=, interests, and for the debts owed Euro
, pean creditors, Mr.. Bowen, in. his com
munication to the diplomatic representa-
tives of Great Britain, Germany and Italy
promises that Venezuela will furnish
. guarantee that the amounts agreed upol
as due to foreign subjects will be paid
There is reason for believing that Eng
!, land and Italy are willing to raise tn
= blockade if any assurance can be obtained
= that their claims will be paid. Germany
- views, however, are not so well under
> stood. Some persons in authority her
tprofess to be satisfied that Great Britain
will jump at the chance offered to dro
). coercion, and by so doing dissolve tn
= alliance with Germany, which is so un
- popular with" the English people.