94. Dutch Reprisals.
In consequence of the dispute which had arisen between Holland and Venezuela in 1908—see the case of the Expulsion of M. de Reus, above p. 85—the Dutch government sent some cruisers into Venezuelan waters with the intention of resorting to reprisals. Accordingly the Dutch cruiser Gelderland captured on Saturday, Dec. 12th, 1908, the Venezuelan coastguard ship Alexis outside Puerto Cabello. The captain of the Alexis was put ashore at Puerto Cabello, and he forwarded to his government at Caracas the following communication handed to him by the officer of the Gelderland who boarded his vessel:
"December 12.
"Her Majesty the Queen of Holland has given orders to her warships temporarily to sequestrate and place an embargo upon all vessels of the Venezuelan Government. This is a retaliatory measure. We demand that you lower your flag and surrender your ship and your persons to the commander of the Gelderland. All resistance will be useless. If you resist the result will be the loss of your vessel and the death of many of you.
"Second Lieutenant Boinar."
95. Birth on the High Seas.
An Englishwoman gives birth to an illegitimate child on board a German liner while on the high seas on a voyage to New York. The child's father is German. What is the nationality of the child?
96. A High-handed Action.
On the 15th of March, 1804, Napoleon, though at peace with Baden, sent a body of troops into the territory of this state for the purpose of surprising the castle of Ettenheim and of carrying off the Duke of Enghien. The Duke was brought to the castle of Vincennes, near Paris, and the same night was tried by court martial on the charge of high treason for having borne arms against France. He was convicted, and was shot on the following morning.