The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1902-12-26
NOW SOUNDING"
Powers Would Like to Have
Roosevelt Act as Arbitrator
FORMAL REQUEST NOT MADE
His Emphatic Judgment Is That
Venezuelan Matters should Be Re-
ferred to The Hague Tribunal, But
He Will Not Shirk Responsibility


He Will Not Shirk Responsibility
Washington, Dec. 23.-President
/ Roosevelt has not accepted the posi-
ton of arbitra tor of the Venezuelan
controversy. In fact he has not re-
ceived, formally or officially, request
from the European powers that he act
as arbitrator of the dispute. These
statements are made on the highest au-
thority.
In an Informal manner the president
mas been notified that the European
powers intimately concerned in the pres
ent South American difficulty desire
that he undertake the responsibility Of
acting as arbitrator of the points at is
sue between them and Venezuela. Thus
far, they merely have been taking
soundlngs," with a view, probably, OF
ascertaining how he would receive
formal proffer to act as arbitrator The
president, so soon as he received the first
1ntimatiOn that he was desired as arbi
traitor of the Venezuelan controversy,
expressed emphaticalIy his Judgment
that the matters to be arbitrated should
he referred to The Hague tribunal.
Ills view of the suggestions made has
been conveyed to the European powers,
together with strong presentation Of
MS reasons for the view he holds. No
response of a formal nature to these
representations has been received.
The president and Secretary Hay had
long conference yesterday. They
carefully went over the situation as it
mad developed since Saturday, but it is
understood that nothing has arisen dur
ing the past As hours to warrant the
president i'll changing his opinion as to
the undesirability of his acceptance of
the position of arbitrator.
So far as can be learned no specific
reasons have been advanced by the
European powers for Directing to
reference of the Venezuelan questions
to the arbitration of The Hague tri.
bunal 1t is held by the administration
that the tribunal at The Hague was
constituted to arbitrate just such con-
trOversieS and that it would be desirable
from every viewpoint that the present
dispute should go to that tribunal for
adjudication. How strong the obiec-
tons which Great Britain, Germany
and Italy have to reference of the
Venezuelan difficulty to The Hague tri-
bunal is not known to the admnistra-
al fg limo No,
the objections, if any, is not known.
The negotiations looking to the selec-
ton of an arbitrator have not pro- ,
'Iessed significantly yet to develop such =
objections as the powers may naive. !
The acceptance by the powers Of the
Principle of arbitration as applied to the
venezuelan question is matter of great ,
to the president and his
ablnet. That all the powers have in
mated, too, that they would prefer the ,
resident should arbitrate the present
ispute is taken as notable conpli.
lent to the president personally ard to ,
is administra ton. 1t is the hope of
9th the president and his advisers,
owever, that while there is precedent
or his acceptance of the post of arbi- ,
rator, the, powers will consent to a
eference of the controverted matters in ,
he Venezuelan question to the tribunal
t The Hague.
While it is recognized by the presi-
ent's closest advisers and by the presi-
ent himself, that some unpleasant pos
Utilities might attend his performance
the duties of arbitrator of the pending
enezuelan difficulty, his friends as :
art that he will shirk no responsibility =
nat he may deem it his duty to un.
ertake, but will accept, if the powers
hould insist on it, though he is very
aluctant to do So ,