Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-16
PORTS ALL OPEN
Blockade of the Venezuelan Coast
Has Been Raised by the
Allies"
oAsTROs PEOPLE WILD WITH JOY
Significant Points from the Protocols
just Signed-Castro's Tele.
gram to Bowen.

La Guayra, Venezuela, Feb. 16. =
The blockade mas been officially raised.
The commander of the British cruiser
Tribune, the only warship here, sent
an officer ashore yesterday morning
with the announcement that the Tri-
bune would leave that afternoon for
Trinidad The populaee is wild with
joy.
Willemstad, Curacao, Feb. 1G. =
There is great rejoicing among all
classes here ut the end of the Vene-
zuelan blockade. Many sailing YES
sells had been lying in this port with
cargoes for Venezuelan ports, and they
left today. Steamers are loading for
the same destination. A great amount
of coffee is awaiting transportation
from Venezuela to the United States.
Some Facts About the Matter.
Washington, Feb. 16.-The allies in
the beginning of their trouble with
Venezuela demanded certain indemni-
ties for acts of Venezuela which were
claimed as insults as well as oppreS-
siOnS. There were other demands which
were of the nature of debts which
Venezuela had refused to pay. Nene-
Zuela when the naval demonstration
was begun had refused to consider
any of these dema nds. nor would she
admit that they were founded on cor
rect principles. The s5.500 paid Great
Britain on the signing of the protocols
was in satisfaction of claims in which
there was a matter of national honor
involved-insults to and outra ges upon
British subjects. The $4,000 which
Germany is to get, outside of her share
of the customs receipts set aside, is
in a measure of the same sort.
What the Treaty Provides.
This is what the treaty says regard
ing these matters: The Venezuelan
government declare that they recog-
nize in principle the justice of the
claims which have been preferred by
his majesty'S government on behalf
of British subjects. The Ven
ezuelan government admit their liabili-
ty in cases where the claim is for in
jury to, or wrongful seizure of prop
erty." The plan Of settling the Justice
of the claims and the amounts to be
paid is practically the same as Ger
many proposed to Castro months ago,
and which proposition Castro simply
ignored. As state of war might have
been claimed which would have wiped
out all treaties Venezuela valves this
point and agrees that all commercial
treaties batW7S:- her and the allies
shall be h.; binting.
VIII AS4asZs some Other Debts.
Besides this The Venezuelan gov
ernment further undertakes to enter
into a fresh arrangement respecting
the external debt of Venezuela with
n view to the satisfaction of the claims
of the bondholders. This arrangement
shall include definition of the sources
from which the necessary payments
are to be provided" The last para
graph of the protocol declares that the
government of Venezuela will be hap
py to renew diplomatic relations with
his majesty's governments In all ma
terial points the German and Italian
protocols correspond withthat of Great
Britain.
Castro Says Justice Has Been Done.
Caracas. Feb. 16.-News of the rails
ing of the Blockade was received by
President Castro Saturday morning in
| cablegram from Bowen. which said:
THE protocols have been signed.
Blockade will be raised tomorrow.
Congratulations" To this message
President Castro replied as follows:
I'm thesname of Venezuela and in my
own name / offer you expressions of
my eternal gratitude for the decided
spontaneousness with which you have
served the cause of justice, which is
the cause of the humanity, that dis
| tinguiSheS superior mindS''