VENEZUELA’S DEFIANCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 700, 20 December 1902, Page 2

VENEZUELA’S DEFIANCE.

A STATE OF WAR. By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. LONDON. Dec. IS. •'Speaking in the Home oi Commons with regard to the Venezuela affair Hr Balfour said in the event of a blockade the fleets would ad with one object, not as one force, hue Government regretted the necessity for tiie su-p they had taken, and was anxious to cause a tir.nimum amount of inconvenience to neutrals. He personally .'.hared the l lined Suites’ view that there lumiot be such a tiling as a pacific blockade, inasmuch as a blockade involves a state m war. lie added ■that, iho operations were undertaken not to recover debts, but most reluctantly and after long and patient delay, because the Venezuelan Govermne rit. assaulted Britishers and seized British ships. Li reply to Mr Healey Mr Balfour added " Neutrals arc not consulted when you are in tl stale of war. The;, are a third party." Mr Healey queried: " A stale of war ! Is war declared lie asked. Mr Balfour replied : "Aie you not m a state of war when taking a ship and blockading ports V’ Ministerial cheers.)

■NEW YORK, Deccmlier i L Mr Balfour’s virtual declaration tlial tiie allies were at war was coincident with the announcement that, the United .States does not- recognise the blockade unless a state of war t.s tie dared, and that- the blockade is applicable to merchantmen of all nations. Every journal m New York declares that Venezuela agrees to accept everything except, territorial indemnities, and ptoposes Mr Bowen as arbitrate!. Mr Aivey lias been ordered to semi an officer to act as assistant Minister at Caracas. LONDON, December IS. A Reuter message states that the blockade of La Uuayra negan on 'Wednesday, lmt applies only to Venezuelan vessels. Lon! Laiisdowne stated that the alliance continues until the demands ate satisfied, and neither Rower will withdraw without, the consent of the ot lid . After Mr Balfour's declaration, Washington does not object, tolltc blockade 1 1, is reported that, it at filtration is adopted 1 lie United States will compel Venezuela to accept- tlie decision. German newspapers are trying to allay American distrust, declaring t haL Germany would no more think of annexing a pun of Venezuela than flic mountains of the moon. Three hundred Venezuelan financiers and commercial .people advise ai'bittation, as resistance is impossible. The .Kalian Minister has left Caracas.