Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-12-13
Britain and Germany Think Settlement
Already Too Long Delayed,
EEM INCLINED TO FORCE PAYMENT NOW
When Offer Comes Officially Allies Will
Refuse to Accept
ENEzUELA PLANS MOUNTAIN TRENCHES
seiEes Coal and Railway Cars, FOrti-
nes strategic Positions and Places
Entire Male Population UndIr
Arms Ready for Battle.

LONDON, Dec. IA dispatch to the Daily
Mail from Willemstad, Curacao, dated De-
cember IL, says the foreign residents Of
| Puerto Cabello are taking refuge on board
| the German cruiser Vlneta and the British y
cruiser Ariadne and that these vessels are
threatening to lombard the port.
PORT OF SPAIN, Island Of Trinidad, Dec.
| 12.-The captured Venezuelan gunboats,
| which were at first reported sunk, are now
manned by British sailors and are doing
| British work.
| The other men of war continue to block
| ade the Venezuelan coast and have re-
| opened navigation OF the Orinoco.
| WASHINGTON, Dec. IA cable re-
ceived at the State department from Mr..
Bowen, at Caracas, says the Venezuelan
| government has requested him TO propose
arbitration to Great Britain and Germany.
| This proposition will be duly laid before
those governments by the State depart
ment which will, however, act merely as a
channel of communication.
Not much hope is entertained OF the ia
vorable reception of the proposition, as
It is felt that the dif1culty has progressed
too far for a settlement by arbitration.
The representations made by the Vene-
zuelsns on the destruction of their navy, g.
the seizure OF British ships and the arrest
Of British and German subjects. practically
constitute state of war. although tech
nically the principals prefer to designate
It as something less.
Great Britain and Germany are
simply following the course taken
during the war with China, when,
Notwithstanding the fact that the allied
fleets battered down Taku and captured
and destroyed a number OF Chinese naval
vessels, no declaration OF war was forth
coming.
Cable News to Europe.
Up to noon no communications on the
Venezuelan situation had been received at
the State department. either from the Ber-
lin or London governments.
Secretary Hay went immediately to the
cabinet meeting after the receipt Of Minis
ter Bowen's cablegram, which accounts for
the fact that the proposition to erbitrate
has not been communicated to the German
and British ambassadors.
In the absence OF advices the officials
were not disposed to comment on the like
lihood Of President Castros proposition
being accepted. When Secretary Hay re-
turned from the cabinet meeting the en-
bassies were placed in possession OF the
news from Venezuela and II was immedi-
ately cabled to Berlin and London 1t is
, probable that replies will be received over
night and will be sent to Minister Bowen,
who will inform The Venezuelan president.
! 1t is certain that the State department is
, willing to go any reasonable length to set
tie the difnculty in any manner honorable
and satisfactory to all. Therefore, Secre-
! tary Hay today replied TO Mr., Bowen's
: cablegrsm, authorizing him in his dlscre-
tion to use his good offices to secure arbi-
tration. He was made to understand, how
ever, that in the arbitration, II one should
follow, he should represent, not the gov
ernment Of the United States, but that Of
Venezuela, at it's request.
Eeset with Difficulties.
1t is realized here that the outcome is
very doubtful and the way is beset with
e difficulties. II the claims against vene-
9 zuela were only those OF Great Britain and
Germany the adjustment might be easier,
but France and italy, the United States,
: and perhaps other nations also, have claims
u and they cannot accept any arrangement
o which Great Britain and Germany might
u force upon Venezuela which would deprive
them of their right Of reclamation.
LONDON, Dec. 12.-Lord Lansdowne, for
l eign secretary, was the principal guest at
the annual banquet OF the United Service
IL club given tonight
He said he did not believe that In any
part of the world was Great Britain open
to the charge Of bearing inveterate antip-
athy to anyone, not even TO Venezuela,
Is He continued:
OF II that republic would desist from com.
IN mitting outrages upon BTttish subjects ane
reply TO diplomatic representations In per.
fecty courteous language there would b'
III might add that II VeneEuela would b,
10 content 70 put itself on a moderate al
r would be In a better position TO do this
In less than seventy years yenesuela hal
indulged in the luxury Of 1O4 revolutions
NJ be altogether unreasonable.
Might Restrict Revelations.
~ The Foreign ONCE disclaims on the par
OF Great Britain all responsibility for tn
sinking OF the Venezuelan vessels at IA
Guayra, which 1t it.attributes entirely to tn
h German forces.
y, The Foreign once here 90 far, however
!, has not received the reply to the demAn
OF Great Britain and Germany which Vene
= zuela is reported to have trAnsmitts
through the United States consul at L
- Guayra, though 1t has ofhcially received
0e copy OF President Castro's proclamation.
The Foreign once oficials also said the
y. had received information to the effect tbs
80. Venezuela had requested Mr. Bowen to &C
as arbitrator. They think II 10 not ikei
1m the proposition has been made, but II sue
u is the case they do not consider that arbi
nd tration at this stage would be acceptable
Great Britain
sr- LONDON, Dec. 13.-The crisis IL rssards
1m less serious here this morning. Lof
Lansdowne's speech is held to show that n
inn situation is in no way alarming and, q
AN though the opinion is expressed that Pres
dent Castro's application for arbitration h
( Iafa hge ~ a -
ON proof OF his anxiety to withdraw from b
belligeTent position.
'O' The morning papers express various VieV
ON as to the arbitration proposals, but the
-. is a general agreement that II. By q qua
ON antee made by the United States or 9th
on; means. Venezuela would be bound 10 ear
%. out an award. no reason exists Why Ore
Britain should refuse TO consent II u