THE VENEZUELAN CRISIS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVIII, Issue 13000, 16 December 1902, Page 5

THE VENEZUELAN CRISIS.

CASTRO'S REQUEST FOR ARBITRATION. PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT AS MEDIATOR, United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrigh t. LONDON, Dec. 14. President Castro's request for arbitration has not been received at London or Berlin, though it is understood that Mr Hay, United States Secretary for otate, is transmitting it. The authorities at Washington maintain an attitude of friendly reserve. I • It is unofficially suggested in Great Britain and Germany that President Roosevelt should be mediator. A COMMISSION FROM THE PRESIDENT. SEIZURE OF A GUNBOAT, < RELEASE OF THE TOPAZ. y NEW YORK, Dec. 14. President Castro has sent a commission of Caracas merchants to visit the British warship Charybdia and the German ship .Vinata at La Guayra,, where the warships are drawn up in .line of battle. Merchantmen will not be allowed to enter. Venezuela is removing munitions to the La Guayra fortresses. The Vineta captured the gunboat Restaurador while leaving Quanta*. The British steamer Topaz, seized at Puerto Oabello, has been released. THE BRITISH AND GERMAN DEMANDS. LONDON, Dec. 15. Britain's ultimatum to Venezuela demanded the immediate payment of a 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 claims reserved for the decision of a mixed commission. Germany's ultimatum complained of Venezuela's evasion and offensive language, warning the State of the results of a refusal to settle in conformity with international law.

THE SEIZURE AND RELEASE OF A BRITISH VESSEL.

BOMBARDMENT OF A FORTRESS. SURRENDERS BY THE PRESIDENT. A DEMAND BY ITALY. (Received Dec. 16, 12.47 a.m.) NEW YORK, Dec. 15. The seizure of the Topaz was an act of pillage on. Wednesday. The captain and crow were held prisoners until the Charybdis demanded satisfaction for the outrage within two hours, otherwise she would Lombard t'he fortress and Customhouse. Tho notice was ignored, and the Allies opened fire, continuing for one hour. Tho fortress replied, but was early silenced. Tho town was not damaged. President Castro surrendered the properties of the English Railway and Telegraph Companies. Fort Laguare has been evacuated, and the soldiers have left the town. The militia halve been summoned to preserve order.

The entire Venezuelan fleet has been captured. The Vineta's men conveyed t'he Restaurador to Trinidad, the British manning and utilising their prize. Italy has deposited with the authorities at Caracas a similar demand to those of the Allies for the payment of sixty thousand dollars. President Castro has admitted the claims. OTHER 'CLAIMS. • NERVOUS GERMANS. ■NEW YORK, Dec. 15. The Allies promise to uphold the French claims, and 'have also arranged regarding Italy's claims. The Germans in Caracas support the request for arbitration, fearing that a conflict would jeopardise German trade in South America. Four American first-class 'battleships and several cruisers have been ordered to Trinidad.