Mr. Tower to Mr.
Hay.
Embassy
of the United States,
Berlin
,
December 22,
1902
.
No. 5.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that late
yesterday evening, December 21, I received a communication from Baron
von Richthofen, imperial secretary of state for foreign affairs, stating
that the Venezuelan Government having refused to satisfy the demands of
the Imperial Government, it was considered necessary to decree the
blockade of the ports of Puerto Cabello and Maracaibo. Inclosed was a
copy of the official proclamation of the blockade which I was desired to
bring to your knowledge. This morning I accordingly telegraphed you the
substance of the proclamation. A copy of the proclamation transmitted to
the embassy, together with an English translation, are appended
hereto.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
Blockade proclamation.
Proclamation regarding the blockade of the
Venezuelan ports of Puerto Cabello and Maracaibo of the 20th of
December, 1902.
The Government of the United States of Venezuela having refused to
satisfy the demands of the Imperial Government duly communicated to
it, the blockade of the ports of Puerto Cabello and Maracaibo is
decreed.
The blockade comes into effect on December 20, 1902.
Ships under other than Venezuelan colors which have cleared before
the date of this proclamation from West Indian or eastern American
ports are given a time allowance, this being twenty days in the case
of sailing ships and ten days in that of steamships.
Sailing ships from all other ports are given a time allowance of
forty days and steamships one of twenty days.
Ships under other than Venezuelan colors lying at the date of this
proclamation in the blockaded ports are given a time allowance of
fifteen days.
Ships attempting to violate the blockade will be subject to the rules
applicable according to international law and the treaties with the
neutral powers.
Berlin, December 20,
1902.
Count von Buelow,
The Chancellor.
