Minister Bowen to the Secretary of State.
Caracas, July 30, 1904.
(Mr. Bowen protested yesterday, as instructed. Plaintiff is Venezuelan nation. Complaint charges failure to canal rivers and exploit products other than asphalt, and asks for embargo and custodian. The court granted embargo and appointed as custodian Carner, who started for the lake on Venezuelan war vessel before complaint was served on defendant. Statute authorizes embargo in case of lease; this is not a lease, but a concession. Lake seized on 27th and Carner put in possession. Mr. Bowen can not therefore ask the Venezuelan Government to defer seizure. Copies of complaint and company’s protests will reach Department August 2 and decree two weeks later. Answer to complaint must be made August 2 and proofs furnished by company August 12. Haste made to avoid interference. Suits not yet brought against British railways.)