Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-12-16
rHE yENEzuELAN TROUBLE.

The situation in Venezuela Is still
causing apprehension among officials in
this country as we'll as in Europe.
yenezuela's proposal for arbitration
of the dispute between that country
and Great Britain and Germany,
il develops, has now the back
ing of the United States. Secre-
tary Hay, in his note forwarding the
proposal, intimated that its acceptance
would be regarded with satisfaction by
the United States.
The blockade, it is believed, will yet
furnish the real test Of the situation.
Secretary Hay has notified Herr Won
Holeben, the German Ambassador,
that he would view with disapproval
any interference with United States
trade. Several merchant ships from the
United States, with cargoes for Vene-
zucla, will soon reach the coast.
Speaking in the House of Commons,
Premier Balfour declared that "Great
Britain was not prepared to go to war
for the Venezuelan bondholders. Ii
was stated that the arbitration proposal
from Venezuela had been received
through the United States and was
under consideration. Action on it is
not expected before Wednesday on ac-
count of the difficulty in assembling the
Cabinet in London. Lord Cranborne,
under secretary for foreign affairs,
stated that no country had been more
anxious than Great Britain to maintain
the Monroe doctrine
Venezuela's answer to the British
ultimaium, as received in Londoni states
that it is impossible for the government
to meet its debts now, because the treas
ury is exhausted, but after peace returns
it will not be necessary to remind Vene'
zuela of its obligations.
Diplomatic correspondence made pub
lie in London shows that Venezuela was
greatly affronted by the shelter given IL
Trinidad, British colony, to the Vene
zuelan revolutionary steamer Ban RICH
President Castro insisted upon salts
factory response to his protest on thu
subject.
Both the arbitration proposal and thu
communication of Secretary Hay in re
gard to the blockade have been received
in Berlin. A dispatch from that capita
says that the proposal came apparently
too late"
The Berlin foreign Office announce
that Italy will join in the blockade, par
of the coast being assigned to tn,
ships of that nation. The claims sub
mitted by Italy, it is offciall.
stated in Rome, amount to 1862, O51.
In the Italian Chamber of Deputie
yesterday the prime minister expressed
confidence in the governments polio,
and urged accord with Germany anC
Great Britain. The deputy warned thu
Italian government to "watch the United
States, whose imperialism is politica
and commercial menace to Europe, anC
especially to Italy, the weakest of thu
great powers" Signor Santini said tina
Great Britain and Germany had "sen
the Monroe doctrine sky high and thu
United States was not dealing with poo
Spain" The Deputy recommended tina
further reinforcements be sent to Vene
zuelan waters.
The German Foreign Office has re-
ceiyed Secretary Hays communication
concerning the Venezuelan blockade
Its terms were not disclosed, but it was
understood to express the hope that thu
blockade would be a peaceful one
Allusion was made to the sinking of the
two Venezuelan vessels, and the note, i
is considered in Berlin, does not modify
the United States general attitude o.
friendly reserve. The precise character
of the blockade has not yet been notified
to the powers. Great Britain and Ger
many have agreed thereon. The Ger.
man government submitted draft of the
notification of the blockade yesterday to
the Bundesrath, whose approval is
necessary because of the blockade being
an act of war, and the Bundesrath must
under the constitution, sanction it.
President Castro, in a speech at
Caracas, said that the allies had put
themselves Gin the attitude Of pirates.