Venezuela

Manawatu Herald, 29 January 1903, Page 2

Venezuela

SUSPICION IN LONDON AND AMERICA. The Germans having newly armed and manned the ex-Venezuelan guribOat Restaurador, she joined the blockaded rit La Guayra and anchored close ashore. This caused much indignation among the populace, who considered that the employment of the gunboat was intended as an incitement to retaliation, with a view to the continuance of the shelling of San Carlos f'o'rtj On Saturday two of the German warships sailed for Curacoa, the Panther Still remaining. A demonstration was made against the Restaurador,- rifle shots from the shore causing her to retreat. She is now anchored under the protection of the guns of the British cruiser Tribune.

Washington officials strongly suspect Germany of ulterior aims. The newspapers here unanimously denounce the bombardment of San Carlos, and advise Britain to dissociate herself from Germany as soon as possible. The bellicose and intensely bitter tone of the American press towards Germany is increasing. There is some cflilalour for the immediate purchase ot the two Chilian cruisers now building in England, while the Americari naval yards are rushing on the completion of work On hand. Berlin newspapers admit that Great Britain is loyally adhering to the alliance, but they accused British and American newspapers of anti-German bias.

Me Bowen, the United States Minister at Caracas, after conferring with the representatives of the Powers at Washington, declares that there is good reason to believe that an early and satisfactory settlement of the Venezuelan trouble will be reached. FORT SAN CARLOS,

Reuter’s agent at Maracaibo reports that the Venezuelan flag still flies at San Garlos, despite the German declaration that the fort had been destroyed. The Panther twice tried on Thursday to pass the fort, but desisted. RAISING THE BLOCKADE. It is officially announced at Berlin that Germany, Britain and Italy hare agreed to raise the blockade of Venezuelan ports as an agreement is concluded with Mr W. H. Bowen, the American Minister at Caracas, who is representing Venezuela on on the Arbitration Commission. Germany admits that the guarantee oftersd by Mr Bowen on behalf of Venezuela is not inadequate, American official opinion and experts in Great Britain distinctly disavow Germany’s reckless violence. Certain American banks are disposed to advance Venezuela sufficient money to enable the raising of the blockade. It is unofficially stated that Mr Bowen offers 30 per cent, of the Customs receipts at Puerto Cabello and La Guayra, to be collected by a Joint Committee of the Powers concerned. The British naval authorities at La Guayra report that the blockade was raised on Wednesday. It is rumoured at Puerto Cabello that the Germans captured and blew up Fort San Carlos. The warship Panther was disabled during the fighting,. and the cruiser Falke is towing her to Willemstad, in the Dutch island of Curacoa. The Venezuelan revolutionists have defeated President Castro’s troops badly some miles westward of Puerto Cabello. The General commanding was captured.