River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1902-12-25

Washington, Dec. 2O.-Secretary
Hay has received partial responses
from the governments of Great Brit
ain, Germany and Italy respecting the
proposal to arbitrate the Venezuelan
difficulties. Great Britain is favorab bic
to arbitration with proper safeguards;
Germany accepts arbitration IN prlnc1-
pie, but finds multitude of small ad-
Justments to be made before en-
tering into the agreement; Italy, as
junior partner of the allies, declares
that she is favorable to arbitration,
but will be bound probably by the &C
ton of the senior partners.
To secure these results the American
embassies at London, Berlin and Rome
have been working theoretically to
carry out the instructions of Secretary
Hay to ascertain how the proposal
would be received. AS far as England
is concerned, the safeguards referred
to are believed to relate to the ques-
ton of guarantee. which is full of diff
fculties.
The German position presents the
greater difficulties, for not only does
it involve a demand for apologies,
which are extremely repugna mt to Ven
ezuela, but also presents so many
points requiring adjustment that 1t is
evident that many days or perhaps
weeks must elapse before the adjust
ment can be effected and the case pre-
pared for arbitration. And the dam
ger of delay in the face of blockade
which seriously cripples neutral com
merce and invites hostile collisions
with the Venezuelans cannot be over
estimated.
Hague Tribunal May Be Called.
The status of the arbitration prop
osition, on which everyone waits, was,
that with a willingness to accept
such a solution in principle, no one
of the allies was ready to submit
unreservedly to arbitration; in each
case there were reservations or con-
ditions insisted upon. Respecting
the method of arbitration, if it
should come to that form of adjust
ment, it is noted that the feeling is
growing that The Hague tribunal
should undertake the case. Mr.. Bow
en-, it is reported, wishes to come to
Washington in order personally to
effect an adjustment with the resi-
dent ambassadors of the allies, but
while the state department makes no
statement upon the point, it is be-
lieved that it does not regard the
plan with favor.
1t is pointed out here, in connec-
70 hn
matter to The Hague tribunal, that
in some phases the disputes will not
admit of arbitration. Such is the
case, for instance, where attacks on
British and German subjects and the
German legation at Caracas. and ar
rests of consular officers, have made
the Venezuelan offense equivalent to
attacks on the national honor of the
allies, and as auch to be atoned for
only by an ample apology. The
Hague tribunal could not argue such
issues, but it is pointed out at the
state department that the claims are
Invisible, and that if President Cas-
tro chooses to render the necessary
apologies the remaining questions
can properly go to The Hague.
It is believed that the United
States government inclines to the
view that there is disposition to
insist needlessly on guarantees for
the payment by Venezuela of any
Judgment that might be rendered
against her by the arbitration. 1t is
believed that the force of en-
lightened public opinion would
absolutely insure settlement
of any judgment rendered by the
august tribunal and that Presi-
dent Castro would not be sustained
by a single American country in de-
faulting.
Brftain's Reply Sent.
London. Dec. 20.-Great Britain has
sent a reply to the United States in
regard to the suggestion that the Ven
ezuelan question should be submitted
to arbitration. The tenor of the re-