THE VENEZUELAN TROUBLE

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7629, 16 December 1902, Page 2

THE VENEZUELAN TROUBLE

WHOLE OF VENEZUELAN TLEET CAPTURED. BIiITISH AND GERMAN ULTIMATUMS. Received 16, 0.26 a.m. NEW YORK, December 15. The South American allies promise to uphold the French claims and have also arranged regarding Italy's claims. The Germans at -Caracas suyj.crt the request for arbitration, fmiingj' that a conflict will jeopardise Ceonan trade in South America. Four American first-class battleships and several crtisers have l-oen ordered to Trinidad. NEW YORK, Dejjmber 15. The seizure, of ' the British steamer Topaze was an act of pillage. On Wednesday the captain and crew were held prisoners until the Cha.rybdis demanded satisfaction for the outu'ge within two hours, oth-acwiso she would bombard the fortress &nd custom house. The notification was ignored, arid the allies opened fire, continuing <.<ne hour. The fortress replied, but was early silenced. The town was da.Ma.ged. President Castro surrsnd:sWd tho properties of tho English Railway and Telegraph Companies. ~ Fort La Guayra has been evacuated and the soldiers have left the fowri. The militia have been summoned to preserve order. The entire Venezuelan 3*st hag Veen captured. The German warship Vinotft's men conveyed tho Restaurador to Trinidad. Tho British are manning ami utilising their prizes. Italy has deposited with the ruthorities of Caracas a similar deninvid to those of the Allies for payment of 60,000 dollars, and Castro has admitted the claims. Received 16, 1.20 a.m. 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 payment of urgent claims, is to* go towards claims reserved for the decision of the mixed Commission. Germany's ultimatum complained of Venezuela's evasion and offensive language, warning them of tho results* of a refusal to settle in conformity with international law. •