The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-19
MANY OBSTACLES ARISE.
Little Hope That Arbitration Can Be
Speedily Brought About.

Washington, Dec. 19.-Secretary Hay
has received partial responses from the
governments of Great Britain, Germany
and Italy respecting the proposal to ar
bitrate the Venezuelan difficulties Great
Britain is favorable to arbitration with
proper safeguards; Germany accepts ar
duration in principle, but finds a multi
tude of small adjustments to be made
before entering into the agreement;
Italy, as the junior partner of the allies,
declares that she is favorable to arbi-
tration, but will be bound probably by
the action of the senior partners.
To secure these results the American
embassies at London Berlin, and Rome
have been working energetically to car
~ out the instructions of Secretary Hay
to ascertain how the proposal would be
received. As far as England is con-
cerned, the safeguards referred to are
believed to relate to the QUESTION of guar
antee which is full of difficulties In
this connection as indicated in these dis
patches yesterday. Some considera ton
is again being given to the feasibility
any award assessed against Venezuela
by responsible private agencies, but the
United States government is determined
not to allow itself to be drawn into the
position of a guarantor in this case for
the precedent established must requirS
the United States to become the f1nan-
c1al hacker Of all South and Central
America. However, if private concerns
United States government will do what
1t can to reduce their risks. Secretary
Hay, Sir Michael Herbert, the British
ambassador, and Senator Depew were
in conference today and it was suspect
ed that this phase of the situation was
touched upon, although no confirmation
can be had at this time
The German position presents the great
est difficulties. for not only does it involve
a demand for apologies, which are ex-
tremely repugnant to Venezuela. but also
presents so many points requiring adjust
ment that it is evident that many days.
or perhaps weeks. must elaDSe before The
adjustment can be effected and the case
prepared for arbitration. And the danger
OF delay IN the face of blockade which
seriously cr1pDleS neutral commerce and
invites hostile collisions with the VeneZue-
lans can not be oVerestimated The efforts
of the United States, therefore. must lie
directed toward fastening Germany's action
on the arbitration proposal The Italian
position Is, of course of less concern than
that of the other allies. The Italian am
bassador here in his intercourse with the
state department., has been extremely mod
crate and considerate. giving Secretary
Hay the impression that he is well dis
posed to second any effort of the United
States to terminate the present dangerous
situation.
The French government has served no.
tice that without abatine her Claims the
payment for which has been arranged, she
also claims the right to have the claims
Of French citizens which have arisen since
the adjustment above spoken of, consider
ed by the Joint tribunal which will adjust
ity with those of the other nations. This
contention is strongly resisted by some Of
the allied powers and is one of he points
which is likely to lead TO the consumption
of before final arrangement can be made
to arbitrate the case.