Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-13
THE HINT WAS TAKEN
Navigation Of the 0rinoco to
Be Investigated. {.
THE BLOCKADE RAISED
ACTION TAKEN BY THE VENE-
ZUELAN GOVERNMENT.
England Had Threatened to Recognize
the Belligerency Of the Rebels
Castro Dismayed.

The following telegram, dated March Il,
has been received at the State Department
from w. w. Russell, United States charge
d d'affaires at Caracas: 1.-The blockade de-
cree of the 7th has been revoked since yes
terday. Please notify England. Germany
and Holland
The action taken by the Venezuelan gov
ernment in raising the blockade was re-
ceived here with great relief, for, although
there were no outward symptoms Of trouble,
it is now known that the enforcement Of
the decree would probably have resulted In
serious friction, perhaps even involving a
renewal Of hostihties. English interests.
next to our own, being predominant in the
Orinoco section, the British ambassador
here was the first to move upon the an
nouncement Of the decree of the blockade.
The United States government had prac-
tically decided to recognize the blockade
If Venezuela stationed a sufficient number
of ships at the mouth Of the Orinoco to
make it effective, particularly il those ships
were supplemented in their work by certain
shore batteries in commanding positions.
But the British government was not dis
posed to recognize the blockade. 1t would
work particular hardship to the British col
onies in Trinidad and Guiana, which are al
ready in Strengthened financial condition.
1t would not be polite, however, to refuse
outright to admit the existence of the block
ade, in view of the probable recognition Of
it by the United States, but 1t might be
possible to bring pressure to bear upon
Venezuela in another way, and that was
done.
England's Threat.
The Venezuelan government was given to
understand that If the blockade was per-
sisted in England would recognize the
belligerency Of the rebels in Venezuela and
would moreover aDplying the law of nell
traaty with strictness, close all British
ports to Venezuelan warships, allowing
them only the small privilege of putting in
in time of stress for very limited period.
Even during the enforcement OF the
blockade last March the British govern
ment never went to this length and the
threat dismayed President Castro. If the
rebels were to be recognized as beliigerents
their cause would be immensely strength
ened, for they might charter privateers
and be put hi a position to borrow money
and conduct war on larger and probable
successful scale. Therefore. as indicated
In the brief dispatch received at the State
Department today, the Venezuelan govern
nent rescinded its action ordering the
blockade re-esta blished.
Incidentalty the revocation Of the, order
has done much to relieve the naval au
thorfties here. They had decided, II the
blockade was to be Fre-eStabhshed, invOlV-
ing certain disorder and friction. 1t would
be the duty O6 the navy to watch develop
ments at the mouth Of the Orinoco, and
therefore the plan was to send no less
than three naval vessels to that locality
The season is not pleasant one nor
healthy, and the department Is glad to be
relieved of that necessity.
CARACAS, March 13-The blockade Of
the mouths of the Orinoco and Of the ports
of Guanta and Carupano, recently pro-
claimed by the Venezuelan government, has
been raised. .,