The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-28
Coupled with Castro's Unwfllingness
ing, May Prolong the Blockade.
GERMANS EXPRESS REGRET
SORRY PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT DE-
CLINED TO BE ARBITRATOR.
Secretary Hays Note Received at Ber-
lin, London and Rome-AIIeged
Sentiment Of venezuelans.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.-There is now
in progress an active exchange of notes
between the allied powers, Venezuela and
the United States respecting the method of
submitting to arbitration the issues which
have arisen between Venezuela and the
allies. The question is being put and an
swers forthcoming, but it is said the nego-
tiations are in such shape that il would
be extremely injudicious and indiscreet To
make each phase public If there really ex-
listed a desire to reach a satisfactory set
tlement. 1t is explained at the State De-
partment that the part of the United States
government just now is that of good
friend" to all parties; that IT is not under
taking TO draw up protocols or impose linn
itations on the parties. but is confining
it's offices to getting them together and
keeping them so. In this view it will not
be necessary for our government to pres
cribe how the Monroe doctrine shall or
shall not figure in the protocols; IL will
judge for itself by results how our inter-
ests are affected and will not indulge in
premature or uncalied-for protests.
The weight of official opinion here this
afternoon was that several days at least
must elapse before anything in the nature
OF preliminary protocol can be made ready
for signature, German insistence upon
prepayment of 10 per cent. of her full claims
before submitting her case to arbitration
and perhaps President Castro's resistance
to meeting what the allies regard as OBJ
legations Of honor are believed TO be now
the sticking points But it is hoped that
these can be passed within the next few
days, and il is further hoped that some
arrangement will be made in the prelirn-
mary protocol for the raising OF the block
ade. though 1t is intimated that the allied
ships will be kept ready to renew IL in
case of any default on the part OF Nenezu-
ella in her obligations.
Washington having been the pivot about
which all the negotiations have turned Up
to this point, ii is surmised that IL may also
be the scene of the final act In the shape
of the signature of the preliminary pro-
tocol, either by the resident representa-
tives here Of the powers interested or by
special agents sent to this neutral ground
for the purpose
An erroneous idea has obtained in some
quarters TO the functions of the Presi-
dent and Secretary Hay in this matter,
and they have been represented as en-
deavoring TO personally conduct the nego-
tiations. the drawing up OF the protocols,
in all that is going on. IL is pointed out az
the State Department that while ordinar-
lily misunderstanding this point would
be trifiing, ii happens in the present case
that reports of such activity on the part Of
the Unietd States officials after the Presi-
dent had expressly declined to assume the
duties arbitrator would surely be III
received in Europe and might perhaps lead
70 some backward steps that would be
matter OF regret to this government which
an honorable settlement OF their differ