Attacked The Second Time

ATTACKED THE SECOND TIME

THREE GERMAN CRUISERS SHELL FORT SAN CARLOS.

VENEZUELAN GUNNERS APPEAR TO HOLD THEIR OWN.

FISHERMEN REPORT VILLAGE OF SAN CARLOS FIRED ON.

Maracaibo, Vez., Jan. 22.- Three German war vessels, supposed to be the Panther, Vineta and Falke, began shelling the fort of San Carlos at half past 10 o'clock Wednesday morning. The fort returned the fire. The engagement was in progress at 1 o'clock in the afternoon.

The correspondent of the Associated Press, in a rowboat, approached to within three miles of the fort at noon. The roar of guns was terrific. The Panther appeared to be not more than 500 yards from the fort. Her guns were being fired every minute. The fort could not be seen for the clouds of smoke, but it was plain that Venezuelan gunners were answerIng the German fire splendidly and with great rapidity.

At 1 o'clock in the afternoon an explosion occurred, apparently in the fort, and a cloud of smoke covered part of the ramparts. A number of Indian fishermen were intercepted fleeing from the direction of the fort in their dugout canoes. They reported that the smoke seen was from the burning village of San Carlos, which had been shelled by the German ships and was in flames.

The shelling of San Carlos has created much excitement among the German residents of this port, who protested against the action of the warships.