THE VENEZUELAN DISPUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 298, 16 December 1902, Page 5

THE VENEZUELAN DISPUTE.

I FIRST SHOTS FIRED. PS VENEZUELAN PORT BOMBARDED. ffHE ALLIES' ULTIMATUM (. REJECTED. „ .. — £ NEW YORK, December 15. The Germans at Caracas support •"Venezuela's request for arbitration, fearing a conflict might jeopardise German trade in South America. Four American first-class battleships and several cruisers have been ordered to Trinidad. The seizure of the British steamer Topaze was an act of pillage. The captain and crew were held prisoners at Porto Cabello until H.M.s. Charybdis demanded satisfaction ,for the outrage within two hours, otherwise she would bombard the fortress and Customhouse. The notification was ignored, and the allies opened fire, continuing for one hour. The Porto Cabello fortress replied, but was early silenced. The town was not damaged. President Castro has surrendered the properties of the English railway and telegraph companies. The fort at La Guayra has been evacuated, and the soldiers have left the town. The militia has been summoned to preserve order. The entire Venezuelan fleet has been captured. The Vineta's men conveyed the Restaurador to Trinidad. The British are manning- and utilising their prizes. Italy has deposited with the authorities at Caracas a similar demand to those of the allies for payment of 60,000 dollars. President Castro has admitted the claims. LONDON, December 15. Britain's ultimatum to Venezuela demanded an immediate' sum equalling that which ought in the first instance to have been paid to Germany, the balance, after the payment of urgent claims, to go towards the claims reserved for the decision of the mixed commission.

Germany's ultimatum complained of Venezuela's evasion and offensive language, warning them of the results of a refusal to settle the difficulty in conformity with international law.

(Received. 8.58 a.m.) .

[' ' NEW YORK, December 15. ' Baltazzi, the German Charge -'Affaires at Caracas, telegraphed from Port of Spain on the 10th inst. that President Castro had rejected every point in the ultimatum. ** Castro's message announcing that the authorities at Puerto Cabello had been ordered to afford satisfaction, was not delivered to the allies until the forts were in ruins. Two Venezuelans were wounded during the bombardment. , The commander of Castle Libertador Was captured. , The residents of Caracas are furitatis. Ten thousand people (demonstrated in the streets, clamouring for reprisals. Castro' advised prudence and g-ood-will, a_4~-swore to sacrifice his life for the honour of his country. The President suddenly ordered the discontinuance of reprisals. He visited the sick wifas of the German Charge d'Affaires at Caracas, and offered 0 the hospitality of the palace. The South American allies promise to uphold the French claims in Venezuela, and have also arranged regarding Italy's claims.

[Porto (or Puerto) Cabello, the ecene of the bombardment, is a Venezuelan seaport 78 miles west from Caracas. It stands on a long, low narrow peninsula on the Carribean Sea, and has a safe, roomy harbour, which is fortified. It is the port of Valencia, which is 34 miles away by rail. The population of the port is about 10,000.]