Mr. Bowen to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Caracas, June 29,
1902.
No. 105.]
Sir: * * * I inclose a translation of the
decree published yesterday declaring the “mouths” of the Orinoco and the
port of Velade Coro blockaded.
* * * * * * *
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
The constitutional President of the United States of Venezuela
decrees:
- Article 1. In consequence of the
occupation of Ciudad Bolivar by insurrectionary forces,
navigation in the waters of the Orinoco is prohibited, the
extent of the coast line which embraces its mouths is
blockaded, and the ports of Guiria and Caño Colorado are
closed to trade and navigation.
- Art. 2. The port of La Vela de
Coro is likewise declared to be blockaded.
- Art. 3. The necessary naval
forces shall be appointed to enforce the said blockade in a
real and efficacious manner.
- Art. 4. The commanders of the
ships appointed to carry out the blockade of the
above-mentioned ports shall duly observe the ordinances
relating to corsairs, dated the 30th of March, 1882, now in
force, and the following provisions:
- 1.
- Ships which have been dispatched for the blockaded
ports shall have the following terms, after the
present decree has been communicated to their
respective Governments, allowed them to enter:
Steamships proceeding from Europe, one month;
sailing vessels, two months; steamships proceeding
from the United States, fifteen days; sailing
vessels, one month; ships proceeding from the West
Indies and Demarara, whether steamers or sailing
vessels, shall have a term of ten days, with the
exception of those proceeding from Trinidad and
Grenada, which shall have but two days.
- 2.
- Merchandise which is destined for any port within
the line of blockade may, at the discretion of the
owner, be disembarked at any other established
customs port on payment of the respective customs
duties.
- 3.
- On any vessel, proceeding from any of the places
above mentioned, reaching the line of blockade the
commander of the nearest man-of-war shall
communicate to him the order against crossing it,
and in case he persist he shall be considered to
wish to violate the blockade.
- Art. 5. The ministers of the
interior, foreign affairs, finance, and war and marine are
charged to see to the execution of this decree and to
communicate it to all whom it may concern.
Given, signed, sealed with the seal of the national executive and
countersigned by the ministers of the interior, foreign affairs,
finance, and war and marine at the federal palace at Caracas this
28th day of June, 1902, year 91 of the independence and 44 of the
federation.
