New-York tribune., 1908-12-14
HOLLAND COMMITS
AN ACT OF WAR
DUTCH CRUISER T1hES A
VENEZUELAN SHIP.
Coast Guard 4Hr Seized off Puerto
CabeIIO and TOzced to CurGcao-
No Shots Fired.

cruiser Cfelderand came into this port this morn
ing towing the Venezuelan coast guard snip
Alix. with the Dutch flag flying and Dutch crew
on board. The GelderIand captured the AK
off Puerto CabeIlo on Saturday. At that time
the AIix was lying close in shore. and not
withstanding the threat which the Nenezueian
government had made 70 fire on any Of the Dutcn
warshfps committing hostile act the Geider-
land steamed at fun speed toward the guard ship
and sent an officer and guard in a launch 70
seize her This they did without resistance
Not shot was fired from the forts on land
The crew of the Alix was put ashore and the
Dutch officer and marines remained on board
the GeIderIand finally taking the Alix IN TOW
and steaning away with her prize
The seizure of the AIix was in accordancs
with the plans of the Dutch government, when
instructions were issued 10 the three Dutch
warships in these waters 20 make dem
onstration off the coast OF Venezuela and TO
capture any Venezuelan ships OF war OF guard
vessels which they might find The arrival OF
the GeIderland at Willemstad this morning was
greeted with great enthusiasm by those VINO
noticed the cruisers approach. and soon almost
every one in the city was at the waters edge
10 welcome her and her prize
The people OF Curacao. who have long been
clamoring for activity on the part OF the Dutch
government are greatly rejoiced over this sv1-
dence that Holland has at last begun active
measures against Venezuela but the Governor
Of Curacao said this afternoon
The capture by our warships OF coast guards
and war vessels is not 10 be considered an uI
friendly act against the Venezuelans- IL =
merely a reprisal against CastrOs government
which refuses to give satisfaction for his un-
friendly acts toward Holland The seizure or
Venezuelan government to carry troops or am
rnunition to and from the various ports
communication to this effect has been Tor
warded by the Dutch government 70 the German
Minister at Caracas
is learned from the officers OF the GeIdsr-
land that the battIeshfp Jacob van Heernskirk
and the cruiser Friesland now OF Ia
Guayra and that further captures may BE- ex-
pected at any time These TWO vessels left hers
on Friday cleared for action and u was be-
IIeved at that time that the intention was TO
make forcibIe demonstration at La Guayra-
The opinion is held here that the Venezuelan
government. in the absence OF President Castro.
viii not go SO far as 10 fire the Dutch war
ships. which. in view Of ths-fact that Venezuela
is practically without a navy. hold the Venez-
uelan ports at their mercy.
The steamer Maracaibo. which arrived here
to-day from Venezuelan ports. reports that
when she was at A1aracaibo the ar was full Of
rumors Of a revolt in the interior Of Venezuela
The situation between Venezue-a and the Neither
lands has been strained for some months Ths
trouble arose indirectly from the expulsion from
tive Of Holland. but IL had already been rendered
acute by the course Of Venezuela in issuing de-
cree on May Il last that practically killed ths
commerce Of Curacao
President castro refused withdraw this de-
cree Notwithstanding the fact that Holland fssusd
an uItimatum that she would take retalisro-y
measures unless he took prompt cognzancs OF her
demands. Castro suggested that Holland send a
representative to Caracas 10 confer with him
this subject. but this the Netherlands government
declined TO DO Without waiting however. 70 as
certain whether OF not this suggestion would be
adopted Castro sailed for Europe
Other incidents which have added the II feel
rg have been the stoppaze OF Dutch sailing vessels
by the authorities OF Venezuela. and ths
attack on the Venezuelan Consulate al WiIIsu1stad
by A mob
act of hostility The forts at la CiUsyra. Puerto
CabeIo and Maracaibo have been reinforced with
men and munitions. but until Saturday no untoVaTd
act occurred which would gle Venezuela oP-
portunity to answer force with force More than
a week ago the three Dutch varships the Jacob
van Heemskerk the Friesland and the Gelderland-
steamed along the Venezuelan coast from Puerto
CabeIIo 10 La Guayra at distance OF three thou
sand wards from the shore. Later the cruisers
went to Maracaibo. where they made similar
demonstration II IS understood that the battle
ship de Ruijter is now on its way 70 Willenstad-
where il will Join the others in continuing itS
demonstrations against Venezuela
The Cielderland. which has visited the United
states several times is the vessel that took Paul
KRUGER the President OF the IransVaal' rom
South Africa TO NarseiIles after the collapse OF the
TransvaaI's defence in the South African war Shs
represented the Netherlands government at .tse
jamestown exposition
The naval force OF Venezuela consists OF ten YES
seIs OF these three. the Bolivar. the Miranda and
the Margarita are g,lnboats- The others, with the
exception OF the RestauradOr. which was formerly
the steam yacht AtaIants. are hardly worthy q
mention They nothing more than armed
tugs. There is one 12-pound gun on ths Res
tsurador but outside OF this there - not gun N
the feet bigger than a 6-pounder. The Venezuelan
forts however. mount some modern 6-inch Krupp
guns