The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1903-01-31
WARSHIPS OPEN FIRE
Bombardment of Venezuelan Fort
Renewed by Germans.
Cans from Point Attacked Bravesy
Return the Fire-Vi1lage OF
Carlos In Flames-Loss Of
Life II Heavy.


ment of Fort San Carlos by the Ger
man cruisers Vineta, Panther and
Fake was continued yesterday. The
fort replied, and IL dead and Is
wounded Venezuelan soldiers was the
result. A fisherman from the viii
lage of San Carlos has arrived here
In canoe with his family and re-
ports that more than rs Indian fish
ermen have been killed or wounded
at San Carlos.
RegreS at Washington.
Washington, Jan. 23.-The continued
6ombardment of Fort San Carlos by
the Germans seems quite incompre-
hens ible to the oflic ials Of the admins
tration in Washington. They are cast
ing about for motive for this hostile
action, but declare themselves unable
to find one, unless it be simple desire
on the part of the Germans = make
show of force and secover what little
prestige may have been lost in the
retreat of the ship Panther, when she
was compelled to retire after Smelling
the same fort several days ago. This
last act of the Germans, it is suggested,
adds n picturesque feature to the
whole blockading aNair, and gives to
them an opportunity to demonstrate
the effectiveness OF Germans naval
strength on the Venezuelan coast. The
bombardment has created decidedly
unfavorable impression here, and
feeling of genuine regret at a time
when negotiations looking to settle
ment of the differences between Venez-
uela and her European claimants
seems almost under ways
Commander Reports.
Berlin, Jan. 24.-Commodore Scheder,
commander of the German feet in
Venezuelan waters, officially reports
the bombardment of Fort San Carlos
from Maraicabo under date of Jan. 81,
as follows:
"On the 18th instant, while the Pan
Their was passing the Maracaibo bar,
she was unexpectedly attacked by Fort
Ban Carlos, which opened a heavy fire
on her. To this the Panther replied
and cannonade was exchanged for
half an hour. Owing to the difficulties
OF navigation the Panther then desist-
ed. In order to exact an immediate
punishment for this attack, the more
80 as the Venezuelan government had
proclaimed il victory, l bombarded
the fort, with the Nineta on the 21st
instant and destroyed it,"
sim Hold the Fort.
Maracaibo, Jan. 24.-At Q o'clock
Friday afternoon Fort San Carlos
was in the possession of the govern
cent forces and the bombardment by
the German warships was still going
on. There has been no material |
change in the situation. The gunboat |
PANTHER was the only vessel to come |
inside the bar. Communication with |
the fort is very difficult.
Wants Judgment Suspended.
London, Jan. 24.-At the German |
embassy representative of the press
was informed Friday that no explana-
ton had been received there of the
bombardment of Fort San Carlos, and
nj could only be assumed that there
was good and sufficient cause for it, |
1t was suggested that judgment be |
until full particulars were
received. The British and German
governments, IL was added, were act
Sng in perfect harmony, quite agreed
that the blockade could not be
raised until satisfactory guar
antee had beeN offered by President
Castro. When Minister Bowen went
to Washington it was thought he was
the bearer of such guarantee, but
the German embassy officials assert.
cd il has turned out that he only had
President Castro's promise to pay,
which had previously proved unsatis.
factory. If Mr.. Bowen could secure
some other guarantee, the blockade
would be raised, but negotiations to
this end are not likely to advance un.
til the arrival of Baron Speck Won Stern.
berg. the German charge d'affaires, in
Washington.
Can Do No More.
1t is again and emphatically stated
that when the United States exercised
its good Offices to the extent of bring.
ing the allies and the Venezuelan gov.
eminent into negotiations it exhausted
Its proper functions in that direction
and could do no more. Mr.. Bowen is A
again declared to be rot the represen.
tatiye of the United States, but OF
Venezuela and the state department
Is careful to preserve the appearance
of independence on Mr.. Bowen's part
by declining to receive any reports
from him or even encouraging his
visits.
britain Condemns Bombar dme emf.
London, Jan. 23.-The British gov
eminent is entirely in the dark re-
gnrding the reasons for the aggressive
action Of the German naval author
titles in again bombarding Fort San
Carlos, at the entrancS4f Lake Mara
caibo. The foreign Office officials here
are apprehensive of the result of the
bombardment.
JnfavorabIe ImpresAion In HaIy.
Rome, Jan. 23.-The second bonn
1srdment of Fort San Carlos by the
German warships has produced an un-
favorable impression here, us the ne
.cessity for a recourse to violence is
considered to have passed. Govern
ment officials are most cautious in ex-
pressing opinions of the matter, in
a. AZ /