VENEZUELA’S DEFIANCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 695, 15 December 1902, Page 2

VENEZUELA’S DEFIANCE.

PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENCE’, WOMEN FILLING SANDBAGS, By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. MAY YORK, December JJ. "Ihe Italian cruiser Carlo Alberta, and the American guuhoal Marietta, have been ordered to La Guana. Women are tilling sand lugs for the defence of La Guayra. Ma.ior-General Castro. the President’s brother, is bringing a thousand men. all Venezuelans, armed with m,Kisers. The remainder of tlie prisoners ban. been released to assist m the defence Reuter’s Agency reports that 51, Castro has asked the American Minister in Venezuela to act, as arbitrator between Venezuela and England and Germany. LONDON. Dec. 12. The St. .James’s Gazette trusts that Great Britain will not allow herself to become entangled with Venezuela, tint will restrict her action to the enforcement of the actual claims. Germany is talking of the. occupation of Caracas to maintain her offended dignity. A DUBIOUS EXPLANATION, BERLIN, Dee. 13. German official circles affirm that if the prizes were really destroyed, it was due to their unseaworthiiicss, or for military reasons. The fleets', it, is stated, were originally ordered to seize revenue cutters before the blockade. CASTRO’S DEFIANCE, LONDON, December 13,

Ferrer is eiitmulling liis position. Tlie (Standard says that alter Castro's scornful treatment of the reasonaide demands of the l’owers, arbitration cannot he substituted for a delinite settlement. PROPOSED ARBITRATION. WASHINGTON, Pee. t:!. : t\lr 1 lay. replying to Castro’s proposal to Mr ISowcil to ash for arlultatiaii. authorises Mr Bowen, in Ins ilisrretion, to use his good otliees for peaee, but whatever was done tit that matter, he is to represent, not the United .Slates, Ina Ycncauela, at ..Venezuela's request.

REASON FOR SINKING TIIE PRIZES. THE MONROE DOCTRINE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Now York, Deo. 14. Americans assort that Germany sunk tho prizes to prevent tho necessity of removing them to British ports. A member of Roosevelt's Government has admitted that the Powers had a right to seizo Customs, blockado ports, land troops, and occupy the capital without infringing tho Monroe doctrine. Germany, in writing, and Great Britain verbally, agreed not to seize territory in lieu of indemnity, or to permanently occupy.