The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1902-12-31
CASTRO WILL ACCEPT
Willing to Let The Hague Tri-
bunal Settle Dispute Under
Certain Conditions.
WANTS HIS FLEET RESTORED.
Also Wants Blockade Withdrawn
Previous to Arbitration-Germany
Said to Want Certain Sum in Cash
Before Negotiating for Settlement.

Caracas, Dec. 26.-Pfesident Castro
has telegraphed from La Victoria his
acceptance Of the proposal to submit
all pending differences to the arbitra-
ton of The Hague tribunal, subject
cessation OF the blockade and the re-
turn to Venezuela Of the feet seized
by the allied powers.
President Castro's acceptance has
been transmitted to the Washington
government, from which the proposal
emanated.
Willemstad, Curacao, Dec. 26.--The
American Red ID" line steamer Cara
cas- has brought the remainder OF her
cargo here The warships Of the al
lied powers are using search lights 10
watch the coasts of Venezuela. Forty
vessels are now detained at La Guaira.
Must Be on Equality.
Rome, Dec. 26.-The only condi-
lions which Italy has attached to her
acceptance of the Venezuelan Difficult
ties are that all points in the dispute
shall be submitted to the arbitrators,
so that no question shall be left IN
settled. and that Italian claims must
be considered on an equality with
those of the other powers.
Berlin, Dec. 26.-The Local Anzeig-
er published yesterday the following
statement, which was evidently in
spired by the foreign Office:
1.-THE German government has ex-
- ,rlxt kf<.s,
of the Venezuelan difficulty claim
of 100000 bolivars, which must be
paid Immediately in cash before ar
bitration is begun"
The paper adds that 1t is under
stood here that President Roosevelt's
undertaking to arbitrate involves IN
indirect guarantee for the payment of
the sum to be awarded.
Confidence has grown in govern
ment circles during the past "a hours
that President Roosevelt will accept
the task of arbitration.
Supports United States View.
Paris, Dec. 26.-Baron d'Estour-
nelles de Constant has written to For
eign Minister Deleasse notifying him
that the writer will interpellate the
government on the reassembling CT
the chamber concerning the disregard
of article q of The Hague convention.
shown by the allied powers In coerc-
ing Venezuela.
In his letter Baron d'Estournelles
strongly supports the contention IT
the United States that the Venezuelan
trouble should be referred to The
Hague court After pointing out that
the present Is just the contingency
contem plated by article q, the writer
says:
"The conflict exists between vene-
zuela and several OF the signatories
to The Hague convention, and the
formal obligation that France and the
25 other powers signed is not only
being ignored but we observe a sys-
tematic Introduction of The Hague
court of arbitration by the European
governments. An explanation has
become necessary. 1t cannot be ob.
jected by the allied powers that Vene.
zuela took no part in the conference;
and as she Is asking for arbitration
an occasion exists for reminding the
powers Of the obligations they signed
and ratified. Nor can the reply be
made that states. unlike individuals
are free not to observe their engage
ments. and that moral obligations ex
list onl- for individuals or for the
the W. as this point of view is pro
cisely contrary to the principle that
The Hague conference sought to Sc
cure"
Proposals Reach Washington.
Washington, Dec. 26-The propos
ais of Great Britain and Germany thai
President Roosevelt arbitrate the
Venezuelan dispute have reached
Washington. They are in such form
that the president can accept or re
ject the proposition outright So far
the messages having been received
while the president was absent from
the White House. he has had no Cd
portunity to consider them, and until
he does so his decision cannot be
known. For the same reason nothina
can be gathered here as to the de
tails Of the proposals, and although
great interest is felt as to the extent
OF the limitation curiosity on that
point must remain unsatisfied unit
the president has finally made up hit.
hind what he shall do. It is known
that he is disposed to act with al
speed in this matter, for he realizes
that the conditions on the blockade
line are such that almost any moment
an unpleasant incident may Occur
through the obstinacy OF some skip
per or from a genuine misunderstood
ing as to the terms of the blockade
that may diminish the chances of 9
peaceful settlement of the Venezuelan
trouble.