VENEZUELA’S DEFIANCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 697, 17 December 1902, Page 2

VENEZUELA’S DEFIANCE.

Bv Toj h - Piess Association Copyright New York, Dee. 15. 1': 1 l; ri:! i Bultaz/i. (.icriuin Charge u'Ailah'o' at Caracas, telegraphed from • Port of Spain on the lutri that Signor Ca-:ru - , rejected every point in tire Castro's messaz-’, announcing that the au'horiii s at I'oerto Cubaito had been ,i lore a to -tti rd satisfaction, was not de- j iiverei to rite auk : until the forts were in j : Two Vein.unbans were wounded. I .'ommaiider Castle, of the Likertador, has been captuied. Tite usidetits of t avaea ■ are furious, i iku thoti-ai: i detnoiistiatctl i:i the streets, j elamom.g for reprisals. Castro inWLed i prudence and goodwill, and swore to sacrifice iiis itto lor the honor of Ins country. Castro suddenly ordered the eliscontinuanee of reprisals. He visited the sick wile of the German Charge cl Atlaircs at Caracas, and oliViad tite hospitality of the palace.

\ OKU MAN AND TWO .SERVANTS KILLED. BRITISH DLUE.JACKETS SIMKE FORT GUNS. THE ULTLMaTU.M, By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright New York, Dee. 16. The shells from the warships killed a German resident and his two servants three miles from Puerto Cabello. Commodores Montgomerie's and Seheder's ultimatum demanded, besides satisfaction, a guarantee that British and German residents at Puerto Cabello should not be molested, otherwise the allies would demolish the forts, and, if the tire were returned, the Custom House. Tile Commodore's recommended the removal of prisoners and troops to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. It was not intended to meddle with individuals. The seizure of tire licet was made solely to foiee ordinary courtesy, and obtain satisfaction for innumerable offences not answered for. The British marines spiked the guns of Castello Libertador, and exploded the underground prisons. They also burnt the sheds adjacent, Germans are manning the Restmidor. Castro is still hoping lor American in-

tervenlion. Professional men at Caracas urge Castro to resign in favor of Ayulla and a nonpartisan Cabinet, and to summon Congress for the appointment of a temporary President to settle satisfactorily with the Allies. CASTRO’S SHUFFLING AND PROCRASTINATION. NUMEROUS WARNINGS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright New York, Dec. 10. A blue book shows that Castro repeatedly shuiiled and procrastinated, alleging the partiality of the Trinidad authorities towards the revolutionaries, adding : Pending the settlement of complaints regarding the revolutionary warship Danrigh, a settlement of British claims must be postponed. Great Britain’s assurances that the Baurigh left England only after the Columbian Minister stated she was intended for the Colombian Government were disregarded. All remonstrances were futile. Three distinct warnings, including the ultimatum, followed.

ARGENTINA UP TO MISCHIEF. THE PEACE OVERTURES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright New York, I)ce. 10. Argentina is aspiring for a preponderating role in Venezuela if Mr Hay is inactive or has failed effectively to assort a United States moral protectorate arising from the Monroe doctrine. It is now semi-oi'lieially explained at Washington that Mr Bowen, wilt Mr Hay’s consent, initialed President Castro's overtures for a peaceful settlement. Nevertheless Castro’s unwillingness to rccogniso the principle o£ liability beforehand was considered a serious obstacle to arbitration. Another Washington semi-official statement asserts that Columbian officers in the Panama and Colon are steadily and quickly preparing to invade Nicaragua. WHAT LED TO PRESENT TROUBLE (Per RDLhh [Ventura at Auckland.) ■SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. The establishment of the authority of Castro, as President of Venezuela, which has been accomplished, has led to the reopening of questions between the Republic and Germany and Great Britain and Holland. Germany’s grievance has neverbeen settled. It is the making good to German capitalists of their interest on the Caracas-Valencia railway, which was guaranteed by Castro’s predecessors. England has a new grievance against Venezuela, which relates to an interference with British trade in the Oronoco, byvessel blockade, which was declared ineffective by eight consuls, who assembled at Caracas. Nevertheless Venezuela tried to stop British vessels plying in the Oronoco. The impression seems to be abroad among nil foreign nations, most of whom have cause to quarrel with Venezuela, owing to her ilUreatment of foreigners, that it is Castro’s game to repudiate the acts of his predecessors. Germany objected to this, and sent a squadron to La Guira more than six months ago to enforce her demands. United States asked Germany on what terms she proposed to coerce Venezuela, and it was agreed that the debts could be collected and punishments by indemnity indicted, but there should be no territorial agreement. The same rule will apply to Great Britain, whether she is alone or acts conjointly with Germany.