that he had been instructed to explain to me the reasons that made it of importance that Italy should co-operate with us in any measures to be adopted for the purpose of coercing the Venezuelan Government. || I told M. Pansa that in principle I saw no objection to Italian participation. The difficulty in the way of it was this, that we had for some time past been discussing with the German Government the nature of the measures to be adopted for the purpose of enforcing compliance with our demands. The scope and character of those measures had required the most careful examination, not only on account of the manner in which they affected the two European Powers concerned, but on account of the international questions to which they were calculated to give rise. || We had now arrived at an agreement, and it was proposed to take action immediately. There was really no time available for settling the conditions upon which Italy might join us, supposing that were desired. I ventured to suggest that, in the circumstances, it would be better for the Italian Government not to press their demand for the moment. I would, however, gladly undertake to discuss the matter with the German Government, and I thought it should be possible to find some means by which it would be made clear to all concerned that Italy was with us in what we were doing. All our preparations were now complete, and we were ready to take action at once. I might, indeed, say, without exaggeration, that it was almost an affair of hours. In the short interval of time which remained to us it was, I thought, physically impossible that we should come to an agreement à trois" as to the part to be played by each of us. | His Excellency told me that he realized the difficulty occasioned by the shortness of the time available. In the circumstances, it was probably impossible for an understanding to be arrived at so as to enable Italy to take part in the initial steps upon which Germany and Great Britain had already determined. He thought it, however, most desirable that there should be an exchange of ideas between the three Powers as to the possibility of giving the Italian Government an opportunity of acting in concert with us for the purpose of protecting their interests. In the meanwhile, he thought an Italian ship or ships might visit Venezuelan waters for the purpose of showing that Italy was not indifferent to what was occurring. I told his Excellency that it would give me much pleasure to confer with the German Government as to the possibility of affording the Italian Government at a later stage such an opportunity as they desired. I added that it seemed to me perfectly natural that when events such as those which might be anticipated were likely to occur on the Venezuelan sea-board, the Italian Government should desire to be represented by an Italian ship or ships. Nr. 12902. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Gesandte in Caracas an den Minister des Ausw. Überreichung des Ulti matums. Caracas, December 7, 1902. (December 8.) (Telegraphic.) | At 3 o'clock this afternoon both the British and German ultimatums were delivered. Nr. 12903. GROSSBRITANNIEN. - Derselbe an Denselben. Das selbe. La Guayra, December 8, 1902. (December 9.) (Telegraphic.) || Referring to my immediately preceding telegram: || As I had received from the Venezuelan Government no answer to the ultimatum, I handed over charge of British interests to United States' Minister and at 3 P. M. left Carácas for La Guayra, where I embarked on „Retribution“. The staff of His Majesty's Legation accompanied me. Nr. 12904. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Minister des Ausw. an die Botschaft in Berlin. Deutschland ist mit Italiens Beteiligung einverstanden. Foreign Office, December 9, 1912. (Extract.) || The German Ambassador informed me to-day that the Italian Ambassador at Berlin had presented a demand that Italy should be allowed to participate in the measures contemplated by Germany and Great Britain against Venezuela. || The German Government were prepared to accept this proposal in principle if His Majesty's Government do the same. It was in their opinion obvious that the participation of the Italian Government in the initial stages of these measures was no longer possible. The German Government were, however, ready to agree that, should a blockade be resorted to, Italy might take part in it. They also considered that the Italian claims might well come before a Mixed Commission, should such a Commission be appointed to deal with the German and British claims. I replied that the proposals were virtually identical with the suggestions which we had already made in regard to the same subject. Nr. 12905. GROSSBRITANNIEN. - Der Gesandte in Caracas an den Minister des Ausw. Deutsch-englische Zwangsmaßregeln. La Guayra, December 9, 1902. (December 10.) (Telegraphic.) || Your telegram of the 2nd instant. || I shall, if by 3 o'clock this afternoon I have received no satisfactory reply to the ultimatum, proceed in occordance with the instructions contained in that telegram, and notify to the Senior Naval Officer at Port of Spain by telegraph that I have done so. || It has been arranged between the British Senior Naval Officer and the German Commodor at La Cuayra that they will take possession of all the Venezuelan vessels in that port to-day at 5 P. M. There are four of the latter. || The German ships will, after the Venezuelan ships are seized, disperse to the eastward and westward in order to communicate with the other German vessels of their squadron, but within a day or two the German Commodore will return to La Guayra. Nr. 12906. GROSSBRITANNIEN. - Derselbe an Denselben. Wegnahme venezolanischer Schiffe. La Guayra, December 10, 1902. (December 10.) (Telegraphic.) || Three Venezuelan ships of war were brought out and another disabled, by four boats from His Majesty's ship „Retribution", armed with Maxim guns and six boats from the German men-of-war. No resistance was offered. Nr. 12907. GROSSBRITANNIEN. - Derselbe an Denselben. Verhaftung der englischen und deutschen Konsuln. La Guayra, December 10, 1902. (December 10.) (Telegraphic.) || President Castro, according to a report received from Carácas, refuses to allow the United States' Minister to take charge of British and German interests, and has arrested the British Consul and other English and German residents, whom he is said to be keeping as hostages. The British Vice-Consul, with women and children, were brought on board ship during the night. || The German Commodore, who is still here, has sunk the two vessels he captured. Nr. 12908. GROSSBRITANNIEN. — Der Botschafter in Washington an den Minister des Ausw. Aktion der Ver einigten Staaten in Venezuela. Washington, December 10, 1902. (December 11.) (Telegraphic.) || The following telegram from the United States' Minister at Caracas has just been communicated to me in confidence by Mr. Hay: - || „Received news at 7 to-night that all British and Germans here were being arrested. I drove at once to the police-station, where I found many Germans. I asked the Chief of Police to release them. He referred me to the Governor, who in turn referred me to President Castro. I told President that I must be authorized to represent Great Britain and Germany at once, or I could not answer for the consequences of his refusal. He consented, and granted my request. ||,,I then obtained release of German banker, Blohm, and German doctor, Koehler, as personal favour from the President. Then I told President that he ought to release all the Germans and British. He was not willing, and I told him that I should bring up the matter to-morrow. All British subjects are hiding. Excitement in the streets very great.“ Nr. 12909. GROSSBRITANNIEN. — Derselbe an Denselben. Dasselbe. Washington, December 11, 1902. (December 11.) (Telegraphic.) || Following telegram from United States' Minister, Carácas, dated 10th December, has just been conmunicated to me by Secretary of State: - || „German Legation attacked late last night by a mob. I went at once to the Governor, and obtained police protection. for German and British Legations, and promise that no further attacks would be made by mobs. I visited police-station this morning, and talked with all the prisoners, who number fifty-four in all forty-four Germans and ten British, some of them so poor I gave them money for food; four are ill, and I expect to get them liberated within an hour. All British and Germans in Venezuela, I understand, have been arrested. This afternoon I shall see President, and urge him to release them all to-day." Nr. 12910. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Derselbe an Denselben. Befreiung der Verhafteten. Washington, Decemher 11, 1902. (December 11.) (Telegraphic.) || Following telegram dated to-day from United States' Minister, Caracas, communicated by Secretary of State: ,,President informs me he has released all Germans and British who were arrested." Nr. 12911. VEREINIGTE STAATEN. - Der Botschafter in London an den englischen Minister des Ausw. Venezuela schlägt ein Schiedsgericht vor. American Embassy, London, December 13, 1902. (December 13.) My Lord, || The Government of Venezuela has requested the American Minister at Carácas to communicate to the Governments of His Britannic Majesty and of Germany, a proposition to the effect that the present difficulty respecting the manner of settling claims for injuries to British and German subjects during the insurrection be submitted to arbitration; and I have the honour, in accordance with instructions from my Government, to cummunicate this proposal to your Lordship. || In view of the present condition of affairs in Venezuela, I venture to hope that it may be possible for you to enable me to inform my Government, at an early date, of the decision arrived at by His Majesty's Government, with regard to the proposal in question. Henry White. Nr. 12912. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Gesandte in Caracas an den Minister des Ausw. Antwort Venezuelas auf das Ultimatum. Port of Spain, December 14, 1902. (December 14.) (Telegraphic.) || A note from the Venezuelan Government, dated the 9th instant, was brought to me the following day, shortly before I left La Guayra, by the United States' Consul, who had received instructions to that effect from the United States' Minister at Carácas. The note purports to be a reply to the ultimatum, but makes no allusion to the definitive character of that document. It is of the usual contentious nature, and complains that no reparation is offered by His Majesty's Government for the acts of the steam-ship „Ban Righ" and the attitude taken up by Trinidad authorities. It ends by asserting that it is impossible for the Venezuelan Government to meet their debts at present, as their Treasury is empty. It will not be necessary, they add, to remind them of their obligations as soon as peace is declared. || A similar note was received at the same time by the German Representative. Nr. 12913. BELGIEN. — Der Gesandte in London an den englischen Minister des Ausw. Interesse Belgiens an den Zöllen Venezuelas. Légation de Belgique, Londres, le 14 Décembre, 1902. (December 15.) M. le Marquis, || Les événements au Venezuela pouvant amener les forces Britanniques à prendre possession des douanes de ce pays, mon |