Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-17

peated insults and injuries. The offer to
arbitrate comes late in the day. We are
not seeking a quarrel, but we must insure
ourselves against a recurrence OF the acts
which led to the present situation"
The Foreign office has made inquiry as
to whether the United States would be will
ing to guarantee the fulhllment Of Vene-
zuela's pledges, either at the immediate
cessation Of the present action, or pending
the award OF the arbitratora This inquiry
resulted in n direct negative from the
United States.
With the guarantee of the United States
the Foreign office says arbitration in the
Venezuelan matter would be an immediate
probability, but with only the word of a
government, hitherto unreliable, arbitra-
ton is d%ificult, even on the points where
international relations admit Of such a
method Of settlement.
say Castro PrOcrnEtinntes.
BERLIN, Dec. 16.-The German govern
ment has not yet replied to President Cas-
tro's offer of arbitration, being still in cor
respondence with the British government
on that subject.
II is intimated that Germany's reply Is
not TO be ready for some days. The opinion
In the cabinet appears to be that President
Castro's proposals are merely a move In. a
game to see W pt Germany and Great
Britain are now willing to do and as atest
also of American public feeling,
The prevailing idea is that Ii Is too late
to arbitrate and that the. acceptance of the
offer to do SO would place Germany in the
position OF having put IT'S hand to the pillow
and turned back. erill
italy FavOrs Arbitration.
ROME. Dec. ,ls.-In the Hobbies Of the
Chamber of Deputies today Venezuela was
the exclusive topic of conversation. The
opinion OF many deputies is that Germany
has been too aggressive in it's actions,
which are calculated to compllcate the sit
uation. 1t is therefore thought to be emf
nently desirable that the Venezuelan mat
ter be settled by arbitration.
Secretary Hay Takes Hand.
wAsHINGToN. Dec. 1s.-The Italian an.
basssdor today called at the State de-
partment and advised Secretary Hay that
Italy had Joined the allies in the opera
lions against Venezuela. He requested
that Mr.. Bowen assume charge Of the
italian interests in yNehezuela and the Sec
rotary granted this request subject to the
approval Of Venezuela.i
Italy enters the combination on the
same plan Of abstention from territorial
seizues as Germany and Great Britain.
The Venezuelan question occupied the at
tention Of the senate in executive session
today for almost an hour.
The tone of all Of the speeches, whether
by republicans or democrats, was that the
attitude Of this nation should be Of watch
tulness. There was a general agreement
Nashville the means adopted by Great
Britain and Germany for the collection OF
their debts had been strenuous. they thus
far had not infringed' the Monroe doc
trtne and therefore had done nothing tC
which the United States could take excep-
tion.
Senator Bacon (Ga), a leading minority
member OF the committee on foreign affairs
said there was no party division, as every
body would stand with the administratio
in doing what was best for the genera
good There was no desire to control thosI
on whom devoIved the duty Of protectinl
American interests. The maintenance o
the Monroe doctrine, he added, devolyel
on the whole people.
Senator Stewar dwelt on the lombard
ment Of Puerto CabeIo and said tina In
cident should be accepted as a warning o
what this country might expect wheneye
excuse might oner.
-Not In two generations" he said
could We build up a navy equal to that c
Great Britain but We can strengthen GU
coast farttncationR and in view Of Vene
Eueih's experience II behooves US to do so.
. Disposition OF the men-of-war Of Al
miral Deweys feet during the holidays
to be made under the direction Of the sec
retAry Of the navy. in view Of the inereas
ing complications arising in ~cOnnectio
with Vsnezuelh. and the wishes Of this GOV
ernmenf not to arouse suspicion unneeeI
sarfly by dispAtrhing a large naval fore
TO Venezuelan waters Orders are nov
preparation Tor the various vessels an