Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-01-31
TO RAISE BLOCKADE.
Powers Agree to Accept President
Castro's Proposal.
AS Soon as Conditions Sugge sted by
Him Are Guaranteed, They Will
End blockade of the Vene-
zueIan Coast.

Berlin. Jan. 27.-Written declara-
tons regarding raising the blockade
of the Venezuelan ports have been ex-
changed between Minister Bowen and
the representative of Great Britain,
Germany. and Italy.
In their declarations the representa-
tives of the European powers promised
to consent to the immediate raising Of
the blockade as soon as an agreement
is concluded between them and Mr..
Bowen embodying the conditions laid
down by the powers.
These conditions chiefly relate to the
guarantees to be furnished by Nene-
zuela, which has offered portion OF
the customs revenue of La Guayra and
Porto Cabello.
May Not Resort to Hague Court.
1t is still believed here that all the
matters in dispute will be satisfac-
torily arranged at Washington with
out resorting to The Hague arbitration
court. Only portion Of the Nenezu-
elan revenues will be available for the
payment of the claims, because of the
large part already hypothetical as Sc
curity for foreign loans. The German
foreign office is very hopeful of an
early settlement and of the raising of
the blockade without much further
delay.
A lively exchange of kilograms oc-
CURED between Germany and Great
Britain on Saturday before the accept
ance of Mr.. Bowen's propositions, as
cabled from Washington. 1t is ex-
planned that Great Britain's accept
ance was forwarded to Washington
first because Mr.. Bowen submitted hi.
proposal to Ambassador Herbert be-
fore seeing Count Quadt, the German
charge d'affaires. Italy's attitude is
to accept any arrangement agreeable
to Great Britain and Germany. AS
soon as the guarantee for the payment
of the first grads claims is disposed of
the negotiations for the settlement of
the remainder will proceed with each
power Independently. The alliance
between Great Britain and Germany
may be considered to have been def
nitely ended SO soon as the guarantee
is signed and the consequent raising
of the blockade occurs.
The lifting of the blockade would
not mean the complete withdrawal
from American waters of the allied
fleet, and it is understood that not
only will the British American. feet
remain in its accustomed winter quar-
ters in the Caribbean, but that the
German~governmen will depart from
its ancient policy, which has been to
get along without station fleets, and
will continue the present squadron in
American waters as a permanent fleet
Germany's Official Statement.
Berlin. Jan. 2G.-In an official state
ment given out in regard to the bonn
bardment of Fort San Carlos at Mara
caibo. it was pointed out:
First. That the bombardment oc-
CURED while Mr.. Bowen, the Anne rican
minister and representative Of Nene-
zuela in the negotiations at Washing
ton, was on his way to the latter city
Therefore the negotiations had not
actually begun.
Second It is claimed that the fault
of the matter lies wholly a t President
Castro's door. and that he alone is re
sponsible for every life lost and any
injury inflicted.
Third. I was the right and the duty
of the Panther to secure free passage
of the lagoon, and in discharging the
undertaking of the other powers to
secure control of the lagoon and in
spect the vessels therein tie Panther
had no intention Of hun,harding the
forts, and had no orders 10 do so.