The San Francisco call., 1908-12-15
CASTRO GIVEN
BIG WELCOME
BY GERMANS
President of Venezuela the OBJ
iect of Prolonged Cheering
in Berlin
Visiting Executive Not Affected
by News of Seizure of Ves=
= sci by Dutch
Learns OF Hostile Act of Neither
lands and RiOting in
Caracas

BERLIN, Dec 14.-President Castro
OF Venezuela arrived here this evening
The train was late, but was awaited
BY dense crowd Of people who had
gathered out OF curiosity. No prccau-
lions had been taken TO prevent the
public from crowding the platforms
and as the train steamed into the de-
pot the president was greeted with
shouts Of Long live Castro There
was a general lifung Of hats and much
cheering.
The Venezuelan charge d'afaires at
Berlin, senor Veloz-Goetica. senor Ma
chod, the consul at Berlin, and other
prominent Nenezuelans had the great
est difficulty in making their way to
the entrance Of the car where Castro
stood awaiting TO descend.
Further cheering broke out as the
presidents wife and the Is other mem
bers OF his party descended. They,
then left the station and found, drawn
up outside. several motor cars which
were elaborately decorated with Vene-
zuelsn flags. In these they drove to
the Hotel Esplanade. The corridor of
the hotel was crowded when they ar
rived and a band struck up the vene-
zuelan hymn as Castro entered.
Members Of Castro's suite said that
the president had sent dispatch to
Emperor William from Herbestal, stat
ing that he had come TO Germany for
medical 4~eo+~,er+ .~.1 o.--,,,-sf,,c~ -
found homage to his majesty.
According 10 the same authority,
when he learned the news Of the cap
ture Of a Venezuelan vessel by the
Dutch cruiser Gelderland. he was not
greatly affected merely remarkfng
that there was no such vessel in the
Venezuelan service
Details of Seizure
WILLEMSTAD Island OF Curacao.
Dec 1.-THE following detailed story
OF the capture Saturday last of the Ven
ezuelan coast guardship Alix BY the
Dutch cruiser Gelderland was obtained
today from an officer Of the cruiser:
At O'Clock Saturday morning the
Gelderland was steaming slowly a short
distance Of Lhe fort al Puerto CabelIo
She noticed the Alix coming in. and
after taking up a position that prevent
ed the passage of the small boat she
ordered her TO stop and sent off a boat
10 search the Venezuelan vessel It was
discovered that the captain Of the Alix
had hidden his Venezuelan pennant in
his pocket, and he pretended that his
vessel was a merchant steamer
A passenger on board the Alix. how
ever, declared TO the Dutch officer that
the AiiX was a coast guard vessel a
search was made The flag was found
in the captains pocket, and six rifles
and q small quantity Of ammunition
also were discovered. The rifles were
IN bad condition.
The Gelderland manned the AIix with
IN officer and several marines and
towed her into Curacao. arriving yes
terday. The Alix is now anchored in
tae inner bay.
Venezuela Protests
CARACAS. Friday. Dec. II. via Port
% Spain, Trinidad. Dec Iz.-Foreign
Minister Paul today sent a note TO
the members Of the diplomatic corps
here protesting against the repeated
Violations Of the territorial rights of
venezuela" by the three Dutch war
smps that have been cruising in Ven
ezuelan waters since December 2
No blockade has beer declared. Min
lister Paul sets forth. and the continual
interference with the coastwise ship
ping is having detrimental effect
upon the commerce Of neutral pow
ers- IN conclusion the foreign minister
SAYS
venezuela protests with energy
gsiust these aggressions upon the
territorial rights Of the republic and
she holds Holland responsible for all
the consequences
Rioting at Caracas
CARACAS, Venezuela, Dec. IS, via
Port Of Spain, Trinidad. Dec. 1.-THE
news OF the capture Of the Venezuelan
coast guardship Alexis by the Dutch
cruiser Gelderland last Saturday be-
came known in Caracas this morning.
A big crowd at once assembled in the
plaza Bolivar and demonstrated in sup
port Of the government
A crowd Of citizens. including a large
number OF students, went to the Office
Of Fl Constitutional. the organ Of Cas-
tro, and INDUCED IN a counter demon
stration The feeling Of this crowd was
plainly hostile to Castro A. pitched
battle ensued between the employees Of
the paper and the crowd. and several
men were wounded