Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-14

CAPTURES
WARSHIP
Dutch Cruiser SEXES a
Venezuelan Vessel
BOAT T0WED T0WILLEMSTADT
MANNED BY CAPTORS
PEOPLE OF CURACAO WILD WITH
JOY OVER VICTORY
BattIeshlp eelderIand Hoists Flag on
Coast Guard AIlx OFF Puerto
cabella Without Meeting
Resistance
PEOPLE OF CURACAO WILD WITH
JOY OVER VICTORY
[By Associated Press.l

w Dec. 13.-The Dutch cruiser
Gelderland came into this
port this morning towing the
Venezuelan coast guard ship
Alix with the Dutch flag flying
and Dutch crew on board.
The Gelderland captured the
Alix off Puerto Cabella Saturday.
At that time the Alix was ly-
ing close in shore, and notwith-
standing the threat which the
Venezuelan government had
made to fire upon any of the
Dutch warships committing a
hostile act, the Gelderland
steamed at full speed toward the
moored ship and sent an officer
and guard in a launch to seize
her.
This they did without resist
ance and no shots came from the
forts on land.
Crew Put Ashore
The crew of the Alix was put ashore
and the Dutch officers and marines
remained on board, the Gelderland
finally taking the Alix in tow and
steaming away with her prize.
The seizure of the Alix was in ac.'
cordance with the plans Of the Holland
government when instructions were is
sued to the three Dutch warships now
in these waters to make a demonstra-
tion off the coast of Venezuela and to
capture any Venezuelan ships of war
or guard vessel that they might find.
The arrival of the Gelderland at
Willemstadt this morning was greeted
| with unbounded enthusiasm by those
who noticed the cruiser approach, and
soon the entire population was down
to the waters edge to welcome the
return of the Gelderland. towing the
first of the enemy's ships, as though
from a great conquest
Naturally the people of Curacao, who
have been long clamoring for activity
on the part of the Dutch government.
are greatly rejoiced over this evidence
that Holland has at last began active
measures against Venezuela, but the
governor of Curacao discussed the in
cident as follows;
Capture Friendly, He Says
"The capture by our warships of
coast guard and war vessels is not TO
the Venezuelans.
1T is merely a reprisal against
Castro's government which wishes to
give satisfaction for his unfriendly acts
toward Holland.
"The seizure of these vessels viii
make it impossible for the Venezuelan
government to carry troops or ammu-
milton to and from the various ports,
"A communication to this effect has
been forwarded by the Dutch govern
ment to the German minister at
Caracas"
It is learned from the officers of the
Gelderland battleship Jacob Van
Heemskerk and the cruiser Friesland
are now off La Guaira, and that fur
ther captures may be expected at any
time.
These two vessels left hhere on Fri
day. cleared for action, and it was be-
lieved at that time that the intention
was to make a forcible demonstration
at La Guaira.
The opinion is held here that the
Venezuelan government in the absence
of President Castro will not go so far
as to fire upon the Dutch warships,
which, in view of the fact that Vene-
zuela is practically without navy,
hold the Venezuelan ports at their
mercy.
The situation between Venezuela and
The Netherlands has been strained Tor
some months. The trouble arose In
directly from the expulsion from Ca
racas of M. De Reus, the diplomatic
representative of Holland, but it had
already been rendered acute by the
course of Venezuela in Issuing a de-
cree on May IA last that practically
killed the commerce of Curacao.
Other incidents that have added to
the ill feeling have been the stoppage
of Dutch sailing vessels at sea by the
authorities of Venezuela and the Storm
ing of the Venezuelan consulate at
Willemstad by mob
Venezuela has made preparations to
resist any act of hostilities. The forts
at La Guaira. Puerto Cabello and
Maracaibo have been reinforced with
men and munitions, but until Satur-
day no untoward act occurred when
would give Venezuela an opportunity
to answer force with force.