VENEZUELA’S DEFIANCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 696, 16 December 1902, Page 2

VENEZUELA’S DEFIANCE.

Till:: PROGRESS OK AFFAIRS. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. NEW YORK. DmunH'i 11. Caracas sent a eoiuinission of t'ara--n> merchants to visit tlie British warship Chary Ini is amt the German Sup Yineta at. L.i Gii.iyra, where the battleships .lie drawn up m line i>i battle Merchant men arc not allowed In enter the purl. \ eiie/.uel.i is removing the munitions "l the I.a (iiuvr.i fortresses The \ met.! < aptured the gunboat Kesl.mtndnr. while leaving Gu.mla. The But mil steamer Top.i/e, seized ■it Porta Cabell I. lias leeli released. LONDON. December 11. Castro's teqiiest fur arbitration has not )>een reecDed in London or Berlin, I hough it is umlersioml that Mi Ila\ is submitting it. The authorities at Washington maintain an altitude of friendly reserve. It. Inis been tiiiollictally suggested to Great Britain and Germany that President Rooseveltshould ae't as mediator. THE ULTIMATUMS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, Dee. 15. Great Britain's ultimatum to Venezuela demanded the immediate payment of a sum equalling that which ought in tho first instance to have been paid to Germany, and 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 \ enezuela's evasion and oll’ensivo language, warning them of the results of refusal to settle in conformity with international law.

COMPACT OF THE POWERS,

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrig;

New York, Dec. 15. The .South American allies promiso to uphold French claims. They have also arranged regarding Italy’s claims. Germans at Caracas support tho request for arbitration, fearing that a conflict will jeopardise German trade in South America. Four American first-class battleships and several cruisers have been ordered to Trinidad.

AN HOUR’S BOMBARDMENT.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrigh

Now York, Dee. 15. The scizuro of the Topa/.e was an act of pillage, which occurred on Wednesday. The captain and crew were held prisoners until tile Charybdis demanded satisfaction for the outrage within two hours, otherwise it would bombard the fortress and custom house. Tho notification was ignored and the allies opened fire, continuing for an hour. Tho fortress replied, hut was early -llcnccd. The town was not damaged. President Castro has surrendered tho properties of tho English railway and telegraph companies. Fort Laquaro lias been evacuated. The soldiers left town, and the militia were summoned to preserve order.

VENEZUELAN FLEET ALL

CAPTURED.

By Telegraph-Press Association—Copyright New York, Dec. 15. Tho entire Venezuelan licet has been captured.

The Vineta’smcn conveyed tho llcstaurandor to Trinidad, tho Biitish manning and utilising their prizes. Italy has deposited with the authorities at Caracas a similar demand to those of tho Allies for the payment of sixty thousand dollars.

President Castro has admitted tho claims.