The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-23

Washington, December 20-President
Roosevelt has proposed to the allied
powers that the Venezuelan dispute be
submitted to the arbitration Of The
Hague tribunal. The powers have re-
piled with a counter proposal that
President Roosevelt himself arbitrate
the issues.
These were the developments over
night IN the Venezuelan matter and
they seem to justify the prediction
made in these dispatches that the crit
ical poist had been passed. President
Roosevelt does not wish to act as ar
htrator in this dispute, for as such 1t
is felt here he would be at once, judge,
jury and constable and would be un-
der the moral obligation to execute his
own judgment. The president feels
that reference to The Hague trib-
unal would vastly strengthen the cause
of arbitration.
Still, rather than see the present dis
J pute proceed to extremes, it is probable
= the president will reluctantly assume
the duties of arbitrator 1t is fully
him in that capacity would be sure to
bring him the enrnity of one or the
other of the parties to the controversy
and this fact was pointed out to the
president early in the week by lead
ing senator, who had been called into
consultation. Nevertheless, to prevent
oloodshed and the destruction of prop
erty and. interference with great com.
mercial interests that would result IL
loss, 1t is believed that the president
would assume the charge, providing hia
swn view cannot prevail.
An important fact that developed to-
day. is that the punitive measure about
to be instituted, and in fact now IN
force in some degree, will not be sus-
pended by the allies until a definite
agreement is reached as to arbitra-
ton.
Venezuela also has been told through
Minister Bowen that the president
would welcome reference OF the dis
pute to The Hague tribunal While
no direct reply has been received, it is
not doubted that the reply would be
favorable if the other parties consent
ed 70 such conference.
II an agreement is reached on arbi-
tration the procedure would be for Mr..
Bowen, representing Venezuela as a
reSentative of the allies a protocol,
stating that the case is to be submit
ted TO arbitration; that Venezuela ad-
mits the right of diplomatic intervep-
ton in behalf OF a claimant, princi-
pie she has always resisted, and that
the details of the arbitration shall be
arranged in formal treaty which she
pledges herself to sign. This treaty
will provide in the greatest detail for
the security of foreign interests against
vexatio3s and extortionate interfer-
ence on the part of the Venezuelan gov
eminent and will insure the admins
tration of exact justice in the settle
ment Of claims. and especially will ii
relieve foreign residents OF Venezuela
from forced loans and prosecution in
times OF revolutions.
The Official Proclamation
London. December 2o.-The official
proclamation of the blockade Of Vene-
zuela ports was gazetted this morn
ing and becomes effective today.
The text of the proclamation is as
follows:
Foreign Office, Dec 90 1902
1T is hereby notified that as the
10 comply with the demands of his ma
jesty'S government a blockade by his
9ajesty's naval forces of the ports OF
La Guaira, Carenero, Guante, Cuman
and Carupano, and the mouths of the
Oriaoco is declared, and such blockade
Will De eHectlVely maintained from and
after the Goth of December subject to
the allowance of the following days OF
grace.
For vessels sailing before the date
OF this notification from West Indian
ports and ports on the east coast Of the
continent of America-ten days foI
steamers and twenty days for sailing
vessels
From adj other ports-twenty days
for steamers and forty days for sailina
vessels.
For vessels lying in the ports nors
declared to be biockaGed-ffteen days
Vessels which attempt to violate
the blockade will render themselves
liable to all measures authorized by
the law OF nations and by the respec-
tive treaties between his majesty and
the different neutral powers"
The foreign office says the blockade
Of the Venezuelan coast will not be re-
taxed until the powers enforcing their
claims agree on a method for the ar
bitration of their respective cases and
Venezuela shows a disposition to act
sincerely. Stress is laid on the diff
Guilty, in view of the diversity of the
claims in deciding of a method OF
presentation and on the prolixity oi
the Negotiations which viii be involved