THE TROUBLE IN VENEZUELA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue XXXVI, 15 December 1902, Page 3

THE TROUBLE IN VENEZUELA.

(Unile'd Press Association). YESTERDAY'S CABLES. Berlin, December 13. German official circles affirm that if Venezuelan prizes (captured ships i were really destroyed, it was due to their unseaworthiness or for military reasons. The. fleets wero originally ordered to seize revenue cutters before blockading. General Ferrer is entrench ing his position at La Guayra. London, December 13. The. "Standard" says that after General Castro's scornful treatment of the* reasonable demands of the Powers, arbitration cannot be sub stituted for a definite settlement. Lord Lansdowne, speaking at the United Service Club dinner, referring* to the Venezuelan trouble, said little ebullitions were not without advantage. Ho was glad to sco British and German sailors unitedly J enforcing jvist demands. Italy had j given Britain indisputable facilities against the Mullah iv Somaliland. Britain must maintain her invinci-bility-at sea. Tho burden of bearing naval "expenditure was borne iv a good pause, and Japanwas now a partner. He did Dot agree that the Imperial Conference had produced small results. The frank intercourse of ideas paved the way to future agreement, before many years, on commercial, naval, military, and financial questions of vital importance tothe Motherland and its dependencies. Although all Anglo-French questions had not been settled, the wind was blowing in the right direction. r , NEW YORK, Yesterday. The Americans assert tbat the Germans sunk the prizes to prevent the neces? ity of removiog them to British ports. A member of President Rooseveldt*-; Government admitted tbat the Tower:, bad a right to seize the Customs, blockade ports, land troops, and occupy the capital without infringing the Monroe doctrine. Germany in writing) aod Britain verbally, had agreed not to seize territory in lieu of indemnity, or to permanently occupy tbe country. Washiw'ton, December LJ. Mr Hay, replying to General Castro's proposal to Mr Fowen to act ns arbitrator, authorises Mr Bowen in the discreet u-e of good offioes for peace, but says that whatever is done by bim in that matter he will represent, not the United Stales, tut Venezuela, and at Venezuela's imjucbl.