The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26

Washington. December 22.-President
Roosevelt has not accepted the position
Of arbitrator OF the controversy in
Volved with Great Britain. Germany
and Italy. In fact when the official
day closed. he had not received, formal
iy or officially. q request from the Eu-
ropean powers that he act as arter
of the dispute. These statements ara
made on the highest authority
Ia an informal amer. the president
has been notified that the European
powers | mate-y concerned in the pres
ent South American difficulty desired
that he should undertake the
bility Of acting as arbitrator of the
points at issue between them and Ven
ezuela. Thus far. they merely have
been taking "soundings." with a view.
probably of ascertaining how he would
receive a formal prOffer to act as arbi-
traitor
1t can be said, that in respOnse to the
suggestions he has received. the presi-
dent from the first intimation he had
that he was desired as arbitrator of the
Venezuelan controversy has expressed
emphaticaily his judgment that the
matters to be arbitrated should be re-
ferred to The Hague tribunal. His view
OF the suggestions made has been con-
veyed to the European powers, togetHn'
with a strong presentation of his -"
sons for the view he holds. To this lat
est phase OF the Venezuelan question
M rPSDOuSa of q formal nature has hpen
received.
The President and Secretary Hay had
. long conference today after the form
er's return from his Virginia trip. They
went over carefully the situation as At
had developed since Saturday, but il is
understood that nothing has arisen
during the. past fOrty-eight hours ="
warrant the president in changing his
opinion as to the undesirability of his
acceptance of the position of arbitra-
tor.
The acceptance by the powers of the
principle of arbitration as applied 40
the Venezuelan question is a matte"
great qualification to the president and
his cabinet. That all the powers have
intimated, 90, that thev would prefer
that the president shout arbitrate the
present dispute than that ii shOul' -
referred to The Hague tribunal is TAX
en- as 4 notable compliment ?" tho
president personally and to his admins
tration. 1t is the hope of both the
president and his advisers, however.
that, while there is precedent for his ="
c%eptance e the post OF arbitrator. the
powers will consent to a reference to
the c~OntrOverted matters in the Ve".'
zuelan question to the tribunal at n
Hague.
The United States government is
awaiting the reception OF formal an
swers from the allied governments TO
the presidents last suggestion tho ~"
Venezuelan dispute be referred to The
Hague. So far these responses have
not come to hand. but il is pretty we'll
understood that they will hold out for
the arbitration of President Roosevelt'3
himself. Signs point to the presidents
ultimate acceptance of the trust
through nothing positive is yet known
on this point. The state department
has learned that President Castro would
welcome the selection Of President
Roosevelt as arbitrator, and as all the
parties interested are united, the pres
sure will be hard to resist.
Opinion varies as to the termination
of the blockade of the Venezuelan
ports. In some quarters it's is assumed
y tina if President Roosevelt accepts the
duty of arbitrator. the allies will call
Off the blockade at once. On the other
hand it is pointed out that custom re-
quires the terms of the arbitration 20
be pretty accurately defined ard his
will consume some time pending which
the blockade will continue
1t is quite evident from the develop
ments here that Germany is the nrigf-
natOr and promoter of the suggestion
that President Roosevelt act as arbitra-
or. Great Britain and Italy, it is be-
neved, incline toward arbitration
Hague tribunal but Of course they
would not indicate any preference Off
eially in the matter if President Roose-
welt gave the faintest intimation of &C.
cepting the charge. Indeed, officially,
the allies stand on record as supporting
the German lead in this matter.
Request to President Roosevelt.
Berlin. Deceberm 22.-The notes OF
German and Great Britain formally in
Wiling President Roosevelt to act as
were landed to the United States am
bassadOr here n to the United States
Charge d'Afairs in London today.
Another Declaration of War.
Port OF Spain. December 22.-OmciaI
announcement is made here that SiI
Courtenay Knollys, the acting governor
will issue to day a special Royal Ga
zette containing a declaration OF wal
against Venezuela. This act is one -
formaiity. taken with the intention &c
hgalize the proclamation of the block
ade.
The Mirror. in an inspired articl1
says:
"An commercial intercourse between
the peoples is interdicted. When hos
tile vessels capture a neutral. the prop
erty on board is not affected. A fires
ship makes free goods. They may 90
ture h enemy's ships and the enemy's
property on board, but they must spare
neutral vessels and all goods therein
whether belonging to the enemy or t;
and also neutral goods found