the two nations having absented themselves from the capital to go on board, some hours after having addressed sundry notes to the Government without determining any time for the reply, is peculiarly noticeable, the present protest must embrace in its effects, not only the aggressive military action, but also the unusual diplomatic procedure that preceded it. I beg your excellency to communicate the text of this note to your Government, together with the latter parts of the corresponding "dossier" a published to-day by official order, the better to enlighten public opinion regarding a situation of extreme international offense owing to the conduct of the military and diplomatic agents of two nations whom they make appear as forgetful of what is due even to themselves in civilized life. R. LOPEZ BARALT. Accept, etc., No. 141.] Mr. Bowen to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to inclose herewith copies of the letters I received and sent in regard to the matter of taking charge of the British and German legations. I am, etc., HERBERT W. BOWEN. [Inclosure 1.] Mr. Haggard to Mr. Bowen. BRITISH LEGATION, Caracas, December 8, 1902. SIR: His Majesty's Government has informed me that on the 29th ultimo your excellency was directed by the United States Government to undertake the charge of British interests in Venezuela in the event of that necessity arising. I have therefore the honor to inform your excellency that I am leaving Caracas temporarily and to request you to be good enough to take charge of British interests during my absence. The Venezuelan Government has been informed that British interests have been placed under your excellency's charge. I have, etc.. W. H. D. HAGGARD. [Inclosure 2.] Mr. von Pilgrim to Mr. Bowen. IMPERIAL GERMAN LEGATION, SIR: The Imperial Government has informed me that your excellency has been directed by the Government of the United States to undertake the charge of German interests in Venezuela in the event of that necessity arising. I have therefore the honor to inform your excellency that I am leaving Caracas temporarily and to request you to be good enough to take charge of German interests during my absence. The Venezuelan Government has been informed that the German interests in Venezuela have been placed under your excellency's charge. Accept, etc., VON PILGRIM-BALTAZZI. a Not printed [Inclosure 3.] Mr. Bowen to Doctor Baralt. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, MR. MINISTER: I have the honor to inform you that the British minister, Mr. Haggard, has left Caracas temporarily and that he has asked me to take charge of British interests here during his absence. My Government has instructed me to comply with his request, after obtaining the consent of your excellency's Government. I therefore respectfully request that the Venezuelan Government grant me permission to take charge temporarily of British interests here. I gladly avail myself, etc., HERBERT W. BOWEN. [Inclosure 4.] Mr. Bowen to Doctor Baralt. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, MR. MINISTER: I have the honor to inform you that the German chargé d'affaires, Mr. von Pilgrim, has left Caracas temporarily, and that he has asked me to take charge of German interests here during his absence. My Government has instructed me to comply with his request after obtaining the consent of your excellency's Government. I therefore respectfully request that the Venezuelan Government grant me permission to take charge temporarily of German interests here. I gladly avail, etc., HERBERT W. BOWEN, [Inclosure 5.-Translation.] Doctor Baralt to Mr. Bowen. MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, UNITED STATES OF VENEZUELA, MR. MINISTER: Your excellency's note which I received to-day was a confirmation of a notice given to me yesterday by his excellency Mr. Haggard, minister resident of His Britannic Majesty, to the effect that he was going temporarily on board of one of His Majesty's men-of-war anchored in the harbor of La Guaira and had left your excellency in the meanwhile in charge of British interests. Your excellency requests permission of the Venezuelan Government to represent said interests; a request which the chief of the Government grants with the greatest pleasure to the minister of a nation so friendly to Venezuela, and also as said representation will be only temporary, the only case where double representation is admitted. I renew, etc., R. LOPEZ BARALT. The answer in regard to Germany is identical with the above except that in place of Mr. Haggard's name appears "The Honorable Mr. Pilgrim-Baltazzi, chargé d'affaires of the German Empire." Mr. Bowen to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (Mr. Bowen reports that he has just received word from the President of Venezuela that the British and German war ships are bombarding Puerto Cabello.) Mr. Bowen to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Caracas, December 13, 1902. (Mr. Bowen reports that he has been authorized by the Venezuelan Government to cable to the British and German consuls that they may return from Curaçao to La Guaira. Italy has presented a note which Venezuela interprets as similar to the British and German notes. The minister for foreign affairs has just informed Mr. Bowen that President Castro and his wife are going this afternoon to call on the German minister's wife.) Mr. Bowen to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Caracas, December 13, 1902. (Mr. Bowen reports that the situation at Caracas is much quieter; that the excitement was caused by the precipitate departure of the British and German ministers, by the arrest of all British and German subjects in Venezuela, and by the capture of Venezuelan naval vessels without declaration of war or blockade.) Mr. Bowen to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (Mr. Bowen reports that the British and German war ships did not bombard the town of Puerto Cabello, but the forts; that the cause of the bombardment was an alleged insult to British flag on a British merchant vessel.) Mr. Bowen to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (Mr. Bowen reports that the minister of the Netherlands, who is ill in Curaçao, has requested him to take charge of Dutch interests.) Mr. Hay to Mr. Bowen. [Telegram-Paraphrase.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, December 15, 1902. (Mr. Hay states that, if Venezuela consents, Mr. Bowen may take charge of Dutch interests.) Mr. Bowen to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Caracas, December 15, 1902. (Mr. Bowen states that it is very important for him to know without delay whether Great Britain and Germany will answer his proposal, on the part of Venezuela, of arbitration.) Mr. Bowen to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Caracas, December 16, 1902. (Mr. Bowen reports that a petition has been presented to the President of Venezuela by the leading men of Caracas advising that plenary powers be given to Mr. Bowen to settle the present conflict with Great Britain and Germany in the manner least prejudicial to Venezuela; that this news has probably been cabled to Germany and may prevent arbitration, which is a slower process of settlement, and that an early reply to the petition is expected from President Castro.) Mr. Hay to Mr. Bowen. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, December 16, 1902. (Mr. Hay instructs Mr. Bowen, in compliance with the wish of the Italian Government, to afford protection to Italian subjects and interests, if agreeable to the Government of Venezuela.) Mr. Hay to Mr. Bowen. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, December 16, 1902. (Mr. Hay states that no reply to the proposition to arbitrate has yet been made known by Great Britain and Germany; that he has repeated the proposition with strong commendation, and that Mr. Bowen will be promptly advised of the receipt of replies.) Mr. Bowen to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED States, (Mr. Bowen reports that he has been requested by the Italian minister, who will leave Caracas on December 17, to take charge of Italian interests.) Mr. Bowen to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Caracas, December 17, 1902. (Mr. Bowen reports that he has received the following official communication: The Venezuelan Government confers on Mr. Herbert W. Bowen full powers to enter into negotiations to settle in the most favorable manner possible to the interests of the Republic the present difficulty which has arisen with the United Kingdom of Great Britain, the German Empire, and the Kingdom of Italy. In witness whereof these presents are issued in Caracas the 18th of December, 1902. CIPRIANO CASTRO, Constitutional President. LOPEZ BARALT, Minister for Foreign Affairs. Mr. Bowen requests that, if it is decided to authorize him thus to act for Venezuela, the Governments of Great Britain, Germany, and Italy be notified and their consent obtained immediately, and that they issue order for an immediate stay of proceedings in Venezuela. Mr. Bowen thinks he should treat with the ambassadors of the three powers at Washington, and not with the naval officers or plenipotentiaries sent to Caracas from London, Berlin, and Rome. Mr. Bowen also requests Mr. Hay to arrange the place and time for the proposed negotiation, and states that there should be no unnecessary delay.) Mr. Hay to Mr. Bowen. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, December 18, 1902. (Mr. Hay states that he has cabled to London, Berlin, and Rome the Venezuelan proposition to empower Mr. Bowen to negotiate on the part of Venezuela for the settlement of the pending difficulties with the three powers, and has inquired if they are disposed to assent.) Mr. Hay to Mr. Bowen. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, December 19, 1902. (Mr. Hay states that all the powers seem inclined to accept the principle of arbitration; that the Government of the United States think the selection of The Hague tribunal would be judicious, with the reservation of certain questions which might be settled directly, and that no reply has been received to the suggestion of Mr. Bowen's name as plenipotentiary of Venezuela.) |