Show TO GOllECT A DEBT Germany Proposes tOIlny de Venezuela NO PERMANENT FOOTHOLD Great Naval Demonstration to Do Made The Frt Will Do to Blockade Venezuelan Ports o as to Prevent Importation of Food Products Into Venezuela and Thus Starve Beseiged Into Submission One or More of the Main Ports MayBe May-Be Occupied Temporarily I TVasTTlnglon Dec 27The gathering of German warships in the vicinity of vicInit Venezuela and the presence In the same locality of mnny American British Brit-ish French and other foreign warships is directing attention to the Immense naval demonstration Germany Is about to make against Venezuela Thus far the German Government has not made the exact details of her proposed move known the ofllcial l communications to the United States being confined to an inquiry as to the attitude of this Government Gov-ernment on the question of a demonstration demon-stration In view of the purpose on the part of Germany not to acquire any permanent foothold In Venezuela The answer of this Government was entire ly satisfactory to the German authorities authori-ties who since have proceeded with the execution df their plans for coercing Venezuela STARVINGOUT PROCESS I is said that the first move by Germany probably will be the establishment estab-lishment of n blockade of Venezuelan ports so as to prevent the Importation L of food products Into Venezuela and I thus starve the besieged Into submission submis-sion Venezuela It is said Is entirely dependent on the outside world for Its supply of corn which is a staple among the Venezuelans WILL OCCUPY TWO PORTS The Germans are expected to occupy one or more of the main ports of Venezuela probably La Guayra and L Maracalbo In this position the most positive assurances hue been given to the United States Government that the I occupation is to be temporary and only for such length of time as will permit the collection of the debt duo to the Germans thus disposing of the report qermans mat there is any ulterior purpose to establish a German coaling station establsh a coalng stoton on Venezuelan soil CASTROS POSITION On the part of Venezuela It is semi officially understood that President Castro has made known that he is prepared pre-pared for any eventuality There Is complete silence however a to the defensive measures Venezuela la adopt ing but there Is no Indication that she is laying mines or preparingin anyway any-way to resist an occupation of La Guayra or Maracalbo which are such open ports that they are practically defenseless de-fenseless against such n powerful I armament as the Germans can bring to bear The reliance of Venezuela appears to be on the practical dlfll < cultles Germany will encounter f Venezuela it Is asserted has no peed of outside support and while corn is much needed In an emergency there are many other cereals which can be put to use Moreover the natives are said to be meat eaters almost exclusively exclu-sively and to have no need of corn or outside products TO HARASS INVADERS With reference to German occupation occupaton of one or more ports it is thought to be likely that Venezuela will rely on harassing the Invaders The freshwater fresh-water supply of La Guayra and Mara calbo Is drawn from Interior streams and lakes and these are expected to be cut off The Interior of Venezuela Is regarded as safe as it is said that it would lake at least 200000 German soldiers to make headway through the wild and uneven country against guerrilla guer-rilla tactics ger RELIES ON UNITED STATES There appears to be much reliance on the part of Venezuela in the sent ment and sympathy which can be aroused within tho United States when a European Invader Is actually operat ing on American soil and Venezuela issues a declaration of war Venezuela it Is understood also relies largely on the fact that foreign capital Is Invested In the large Venezuelan ports and would be the heaviest sufferer from anif destruction wrought by tho Germans Ger-mans Money from Franco England Germany and the United States has built up La Guayra Maracalbo and tho other large places and little Venezuelan Venezu-elan capital It Is snld Is at stake A German blockade Venezuelans declare wi prove quite a onerous to American Ameri-can British and other shipping as it will to the national Interests of Venezuela and these shipping Interests arc expected to appeal to their several Governments seyerLI CLASH MAY BE AVERTED There are a few hopeful signs on both sides that at tho last moment a clash may be averted Tie German Minister to Venezuela is still at his post and there Is still some hope that he may bring about a settlement Tho outlook for a cash settlement however is meager since Venezuelas treasury is empty and all the Venezuelan ofll laIn are on halfpay Another possi ble means of settlement Is through the diplomatic offices of a prominent Venezuelan ofllcial ofclnl now on foreign ser rice who has been summoned by cable to return to Caracas probably for the purpose of going on a special mission to Germany MUCH SPECULATION TEe presence of the North Atlantic squadron and many other American In West Indian warships waters is a source of much speculation In Q Germany and Venezuela The Berlin otllclals arc assured that the presence of otclals ican ships has nothing to do with Ger manys plans against Venezuela but at Caracas the presence racaE of American L ships In the neighborhood Is looked L upon with satisfaction and Is con strued aa distinctly significant |