Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-25
GERMAN AND ENGLISH TERMS
ARE in HANDS OF ROOSEVELT
President Has Reached
No Decision, However,
AS To Course He
Will Pursue.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 24.-The proposals
of Great Britain and Germany that Presi-
dent Roosevelt arbitrate the Venezuelan
dispute have reached Washington.
They are in such form that the president
can accept or reject the proposition out
right. So far, the messages having been
received while the president was absent
from the white house, and he has had no
opportunity to consider them and until
he does so, his decision cannot be known.
For the same reason nothing can be
gathered here as to the details of the pro-
posals, and although great interest is felt
as to the extent of the limitations which
the allies will ask to be placed on the ar
bftration curiosity on that point must re-
main unsatisfied until the president has
finally made up his mind what he snail
do.
II is known that he is disposed to act
with all speed in this matter, for he real
ICES that the conditions on the blockade
are such that almost any moment an UNI
pleasant incident may occur through the
obstinacy of some skipper or from gem
uine misunderstanding as to the terms OF
the blockade that may diminish the
chances of a peaceful settlement of the
Venezuelan question.
GERMANS HAVE INCREASED
BLOCKADE ALONG COAST
BERLIN, Dec. M.--Commodore Schneider
reports that the German blockade Of
Porto Cabello began December p. and
that the blockade Of Maracaibo by the
Germans commenced today.
COMMANDER DIEHL
HAS FILED NO PROTEST
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24.--The navy de-
partment up to noon today has received
no word from Commander Diehl, OF the
Marietta, concerning his reported protest
against the action OF the bi0ckading
the red ID liner Caracas TO remain in the
harbor yesterday long enough 70 dis
charge her cargo. No request for instruc-
tions has come from him.
The officials Of the department have en-
tire confidence in Commander Dtehl's
ability to handle the situation and unless
they hear something from him In shape
Of a protest against the action Of the al
Hes they will make no move. As a rule,
It Is agreed that a blockadiag feet can
do pretty much as IL likes. 1t is intimated
as a possible reason for the position taken
by the allies in declining to allow the
Caracas to remain in the harbor at night
that in the dark 1t would. be hard to make
close surveillance of what was being taxi
en- out oe her hold
For the same reason the allies may have
harbor today, but take on her passengers
outside.
GERMANS VERY ANXIOUS
THAT ROOSEVELT ACCEPT
BERLIN, Dec. 24.-Germany is anxious
to receive President Roosevelts accep-
lance of the formal invitation from Ger
many and Great Britain to act as arbitra-
tor in the Venezuelan controversy.
The German governments presence is
very decidedly in favor Of arbitration
through president Roosevelt rather than
The Hague tribunal, because it believes
the president will reach an early deois-
ion. whereas The Hague court would re-
ot1ire many months The officials here
also insist that it is to the United States
advantage to have the president decide
the matter.
The German steamer Siberia, which sail
ed from Hamburg for Venezuela yester-
day, carried an expert in international law
who will act as counsel for Commodore
scheder in technical legal questions aris-
ing during the blockade.
ENGLAND ANXIOUS TO HEAR
ROosEVELT'S DECISION
NEW YORK, Dec A.-The decision of
President Roosevelt respecting the Vene-
zueian arbitration has been awaited with
keen interest in England, says despatch
cy of the objections urged by the leading
American Journals Is not denied, but there
has been a sincere preference for Mr..
Roosevelt as the arbitrator.
The Old Tory Morning Post proposed the
presidents name in advance of even the
quick witted German emperor. and the
suggestion has been received with cho-
rus of reclamation by the English press.
There are no Interior motives.
This English preference is based upon
respect for the presidents character and
recognition of his unique fitness for the
duties of an arbitrator in a case where
a guarantee for payment of an award Is
urgently needed but may be dispensed
with If he consents to act. The English
press is regaining it's sobriety of judgment
respecting Germany. Mr.. Kipling's out
break is generally condemned and the
German emperor is beginning to have
something like justice for his evident de-
sire to maintain the friendliest possible re-
Iations with the United States. The Brit
ish solicitude for the maintenance and
of the Monroe doctrine seems
overweight when the powerful European
governments have virtually recognized 1t
AnIxw F,H