Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1903 — GERMANS ARE DRIVEN OFF. [ARTICLE]

GERMANS ARE DRIVEN OFF.

Panther Shells Venezuelan Fort, but Is Forced to Retire. The German cruiser Panther shelled Fort Sail Carlos, at the entrance to. Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela, Saturday. The fort replied with four guns and the bombardment continued for one hour, after which the Panther retired in the direction of Curacao. The fort suffered little’damage and only three meu in the garrison were wounded. It is asserted that the Panther was badly damaged. Fort San Carlos is twenty-two miles from Maracaibo and commands the entrance to the lake or inner bay. The attack upon the fort was without any provocation on the part of the defenders. The cruiser appeared off the fort shortly a£*er noon. It soon became apparent that she wns bent upon forcing the passage to the harbor, and preparations were at once begun to defend the position. These preparations had no sooner been completed when there was a puff of smoke from the Panther’s port battery, and a shell came crashing over the fort. The fort replied instantly, and -for over three-quarters of nn hour a terrific bombardment was maintained. The shells from the Panther mostly passed over the redoubt, although several struck, but did little damage. It was believed in the fort that many shots struck the vessel, and she appeared to be badly used up. On account of the heavy smoke which obscured the scene it was impossible to tell the exact effect of the fort's fire, but the Venezuelans believe .that several of the Germans must have been killed. When it.became known in Maracaibo that a 'German warship had engaged the fort and had been driven off the excitement was intense. There were popular demonstrations of joy upon the streets, and until late id the night crowds paraded the thoroughfares celebrating the victory. In Caracas all the war fever of a few weeks ago broke out afresh. Bands paraded the streets plnyiug the national air. Congratulatory speeches were made on the street corners, and the city gave itself up to celebration.