Below the Gulf

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 4, 1903

Notwithstanding the signing of the protocols between Venezuela and the powers which have been coercing her, the powers still hold some of the vessels belonging to Venezuela which they had agreed to return. Venezuela is protesting against this action. It is claimed by Venezuela that this is aiding the revolution. Venezuela has no fleet with which to prevent the revolutionists securing arms and ammunition from abroad. It is also charged that the blockading powers have permitted filibusters to land cargoes of war munitions for the rebels. President Castro has declared an increase of thirty per cent in the customs duties. This is the exact proportion of the customs which he agreed to turn over to the powers for the payment of their claims. He hopes thus to make the powers pay their own claims through their respective subjects doing business there. The forces of the Venezuela Government report two recent victories over the insurgents. The revolution in Honduras is reported to be growing, and war seems imminent also in Guatemala, against which country three of the other Central American States are uniting.