The sun., 1908-12-23
U. s. SQUADRON TO VENEZUELA.
Admiral Arnold 70 Guard American In.
terests with Several WafshIps.


terests With Several Wafships.
WARRINGTON, Dec. 72.-The purpose Ct
the cruise and the destination OF the bat
tleship Maine, hagship of the third souad-
ron OF the Atlantic feet, which left Hamp-
Rear Admiral Conway Il. Arnold, under
sealed orders were not disclosed by Of
fioials Of the State or Navy Department
to-day, although developments indicate
that several other vessels are participat-
cruiser North Carolina, which left Hamp-
ton Roads shortly before Admiral Arnolds
flagship, is probably steaming on the same
secret mission.
The cruiser Des Moines and the despatch
boat Dolphin left Port au Prince. Hayti.
whore they have been on patrol duty for
several weeks under scaled ordere.' The
armored cruiser Montana sailed from
Hampton Roads yesterday for her final ac-
ceptance trial and IL 10 admitted that abe
may join the North Carolina a. soon rs this
trial has been completed.
A high official Of the State Department
said to-day that there would probably
be important announcements within q
few days. Az present, he added, II would
be criminal to Disclose the purpose OF the
Government. Little doubt IL entertained
here that the squadron is en- route TO the
coast OF Venezuela The Maine and the
North. Carolina should reach Venezuela
in about Q week. The vessels from Hay
tan waters ought to be on Venezuela In
about four days. A feet composed Of
and Dolphin would form q naval force
adequate to meet any emergency.
The object OF the United States In send-
ing naval vessels to Venezuelan waters,
it was suggested In ofiioisl circles to-day,
might be the defeat Of President Castro's
purpose Of obtaining aid from aome Eu-
ropean Power. Recent press dispatches
that he was negotiating FOR the purchase
Of munitions OF war as wen as naval ves-
sells with which to continue the hght
against his enemies. II 10 impossible to
confirm this report, but officers of the State
Department firmly believe that the prin-
cipel object OF President Castro's trip
TO Europe is To enlist the aid Of some
movement may be intended to impress
the nations Of Europe with the conviction
that any aid given to President Castro
would be Interpreted by the Washington
Government as an unfriendly aot. 90
The disposition of-the vessels en-
itself to another theory. that the Govern
ment 10 engaging in chase after hli-
clustering expeditions. II was admitted
at the Navy Department to-day that the
g,nboat Dubuque. now at Key West.
will leave shortly for Havana. II fill
clustering expedition has left the United
States for venesuela the Dubuque will
to pass through the Florida strait into
the Gulf Of Mexico. The cruiser Des
Moines and the Dolphin, ordered from
Port au Prince, would be available for
scouting purposes in the Windward
Passage between Cuba and santo Domingo
II a flbustering expedition should choose
the Virgin Passage. which is the quickest
probably be overhauled by the Maine
and the North Carolina.
There have been several unconhrmed
reports recently Of filibustering expedi-
tions which have been planned In. New
York but there 10 no definite Information
on the subject
In spite OF the fact that fhe United
States has severed all diplomatic relh.
tions with Venezuela 1t was deciared at
the State Department to-day that every
precaution will be taken to prevent this
country from being used as base ~
operations by persons who are interested
in oI5gs starti5ag 9Sa Sns y vsne5Ses " .
the State Department the action OF Vice
President Gomez OF Venezuela In re-
voking the decree issued several months
ago by President Castro prohibiting the
transshipment OF goods intended for
Venezuela at Curacao Is an indication
that the new administration has adopted
a more conciliatory attitude in its foreign
relations. This decree. which practi-
cally ruined the trade Of the Dutch Island
Of Willemstad. was the direct cause OF
the strained relations between Holland
and Venezuela, Diplomatic negotiations
on this subject became SO heated that
President Castro expelled n. De Reus
the Dutch Minister TO Venezuela.