CABLE NEWS. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. -COPYRIGHT.] THE CONFLICT WITH VENEZUELA.

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 148, 19 December 1902, Page 5

CABLE NEWS. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. -COPYRIGHT.] THE CONFLICT WITH VENEZUELA.

« AN ULTIMATUM FROM ITALY. GENERAL MISTRUST OF GERMANY IMPRISONMENT OF REBEL EDITORS. [i-rt:ss association.! LONDON, 17th December. Great Britain's entanglement with Germany in coercing Venezuela is largely reprobated in England, owing to the fear of offending the United Staves. "NEW YORK, 17th Dec. Italy has presented an ultimatum to Venezuela claiming a hundred and twenty thousand pounds. General Castro's proposals suggest arbitration on all points in dispute. The New York newspapers are remarkedly friendl" with Britain, and distrustful towards Germany. The latter Power is suspected of a desire to weaken the union between the United States and Great Britain. A secret session of the .American Senate advocated watchfulness, admitting that up to the present nothing had oc- I curred to which America could take objection. Spain and Belgium have sent Notes to Venezuela, claiming most favoured settlement of outstanding disputes. One of the officers of the German warship Venita was killed at Puerto Ca.bello. Rebel editors at Caracas who were released have been re-imprisoned, owing to an incipient revolutionary movement.! DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. A STATE OF WAR DECLARED TO EXIST. (Received December 19. 8.42 a.m.) LONDON", 18th December. In the House of Commons, the Prime Minister (Mr. Balfour) said that in the event of a blockadb of Venezuelan ports., the allied fleets would act with one object, but not as one force. The Government regretted the necessity, and was anxious to cause a minimum of inconvenience to neutral Powers. He personally shared the view of the United Shites Government that there cannot be such, a thing as a pacific blockade, inasmuch as a blockade involves a state of war. Mr. Balfour added that the operations were undertaken, not to recover debts, but most reluctantly and after long and patient" delay, because the Venezuelan Government had assaulted British subjects, and seized British ships. In reply to Mr. T. Healy, member for North Louth, the Prime Minister added — " Neutrals are not consulted_ when you are in a state of war. They are a third party." Mr. Healy queried as to a state of war. "Is war declared?" he asked. Mr. Baifour replied — "Are you not in a slate of war when taking ships and blockading ports?" • (Ministerial cheers.) AMERICA AND THE BLOCKADE. MR. BOWEN SUGGESTED AS ARBITRATOR. (Received December 19, 9.11 a.m.) NEW YORK, 18th Dec. Mr. Balfour's virtual declaration that the allies are at war is coincident with the official announcement that the United States does not recognise a blockade unless a state of war is declared and the blockade is made applicable to the merchantmen of all nations. Every journal in New York declares that Venezuela .agrees to accept everything except territorial indemnities, and proposes that Mr. Bowen, the United States Minister at Caracas, shall act as arbitrator. Admiral Dewey has been ordered to send an officer to act as assistant to the American Minister at Caracas.