Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-20


tory Hay has received responses from
the governments of Great Britain Ger
many and Italy respecting the proposal
to arbitrate the Venezuelan dlftlcultles.
Great Britain is favorable to arbitration
with proper safeguards; Germany &C
cepts arbitration in principle but finds
multitude of small arrangements before
enter ring into the agreement
Italy, as the junior partner of the
allies, declares that she is favorable to
arbitration. but will be bound by the ac-
lions of the senior partners.
To secure these results, the American
ambassadors at London Berlin and Rome
have been working energetically to carry
out the instructions of Secretary Hay to
ascertain how the proposal would be re-
ceived. AS far as England is concerned.
the safeguards referred to are believed
to relate to the question of guarantee.
which is full of difficulties. In this con-
nection, as indicated in these dispatches
yesterday, some Consideration is again
being given to the feasibility of the as
sumption of responsibility for any award
assessed against Venezuela by private
agencies but the United States govern
ment is determined not to allow itself to
be dra avn into the position of Il guarantOr
in this case. for the precedent once eS-
tablished might require the United States
to become the financial hacker OF all South
and Central America However. if pri-
vate concerns can be induced to enter the
field the United States government will
do what it can to reduce their risks.
Secretary Hay. Sir Michael Herbert. the
British AMBASSADOR. and Senator Depew
were in conference to-day and it is sus-
pected that this phase of the case was
touched upon, although 10 confirmation
can be had at this time
Demand of Apology.
The German position presents the great
est difficulties, for not only does it in
volve Il demand for apologies which are
extremely repugnant to Venezuelans, but
also presents so many points requiring
adjustment that it is evident many day
or perhaps weeks must e1apSc before adj
justment can be effected and the case
presented for arbitration. The danger OF
delay in the face If Il blockade which
seriously cripples neutral commerce and
invites hostile collisions with the Vene-
zuflars cannot be over-eStlnated Inc
efforts of the United States must be oil
rected toward Fastening Germany ac-
ton on the arbitration proposal
The italian position Is, OF course. o.
less, concern than that Of the other allies.
The Italian ambassador here, in his in
tercourse with the State department mas
been extremely moderate and considerate.
e1vire Secretary Hay the impression ina.
he is well disposed to second any effort
Of the United States to terminate Tue
present dangerous situation
frances Claims.
The French government has served no
! l., E.l.l ms
payn,ent for which has been arranged.
sh. also claims the right TO have the
claims of French citizens which have
arisen since the adjustment above spoken
of considered by the joint tribunal which
WI arrange the Venezuelan debts. on a
basis; OF equality with those OF other ma
items. This contention is strongly resist
cd by some Of the allied powers and is
orc o. the points which is likely to- lead
t. tie consumption of much time and
winch must be disposed of before It final
| arrangement can be made to arbitrate
the case.
Brituiu's Reply.
LONDON. Dec lo-Great Britain mas
sent Il reply to the United States in re-
gard TO the suggestion that the FeneZue
Ian question should be submitted to arbi-
tration. The tenor of the reply. it is ex-
pected here. will tend to bring about some
arrangement for Il satisfactory solution
while thoroughly safeguarding the inter
ests of the powers concerned.
The note to Reuters Telegram Com
pany announcing that Great Britain had
sent q reply TO the United States adds:
The statements issuing from Caracas
to the effect that President Castro has
empowered Minister Bowen to act the
representative of Venezuela are regarded
in London as open to question. Any such
action on the part of President Castro
would he considered wholly beside the
mark The powers concerned will dear
solely with the United States in the mat
ter of arbitration. The government OF
President Castro will not be consulted IN
any form not even as TO the terms on
which arbitration might be acceptable to
the Powers. The forms and conditions
to be observed in any settlement by ar
btrati0n are still the subject of an ex-
tensive exchange of views between the
Powers and the United States. prior to the
embodiment of the several replies in One
harmonious instrument. Until this is
elaborated ne definite arrangement is
possible
German Answer.
BERLIN. December io.--The answer of
| Germany to the arbitration proposal in
| behalf of Venezuela, received through the
| United States Government. is its accept
ance- Inc delivery OIL lIiS reply 10 tue
f, United States Government for trans
/ mission to Minister Bowen is delayed for
a day or two, for tactical reasons. pcob-
| ably through the expectation that an
other solution may be found. possibly by
F.! President Castro-s yielding. Four days
ago the idea of the German Govern
ment was in favor of rejecting arbitra-
| ton and that is Understood here TO
| have been the temper Of the British for
! egn office While it is impossible TO
| trace the. steps that led to 4 reversal
/ of this view. it appears that the state
! of public opinion in the United States,
| so far as Germany ;s concerned. pro-
] dt,ced a revision of the first idea.
! Hays course Approved.
| WASHINGTON. D. c.. December 10
| Secretary Hay laid before the Cabinet
meeting to-day The latest phases of the
| Venezuelan situation After = thorough
discussion of the subject. the Cabinet
| gave it's unqualified approval to every
! thing that had been done by Secretary
| Hay, and also to his plans for the tu-
! ture. so far as they were outlined. 1t
| is gathered that The attitude of the United
! States is for the present waiting one,
! in the hope that the three allies will
| sobn be able to agree upon the basis
| upon which they are willing TO accept ar
bitration. So far. no notice of the project
| ed blockade OF Venezuela has been Off
| cally served on our government.
The Albany on for La Guayra.