The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1902-12-30
WILL PAY HER DEBTS.
Guarantees Them By a Percent
age on Customs Receipts.
1t Is Understood Venezuela Will Make
Any Concessions, Even Abandon
ing Her Demand That Her
Navy Be Returned.

Caracas, Dec. 29.-United States
Minister Bowen and Lopez Baralt,
Venezuelan minister of foreign affairs,
held long conference Saturday night.
Mr.. Bowen, on receiving instructions
from Washington, conveyed to Senior
Baralt President ROOsevelt's refusal
to act as arbitrator in the Venezuelan
difficulty. He recommended that the
matter be taken to the international
peace court at The Hague, which had
been expressly organized to consider
questions i'll which the honor of
country or tho disposition of territory
were not concerned. He suggested
the organization of a commission to
sit in Washington by their ambassa-
doris TO the United States and Vene-
zue!a by a delegate. The commits
sion is to sign a document setting
forth the matters to be decided at the
Hague court. Mr.. Bowen said also
that Germany would not press for an
immediate payment and that she had
agreed to accept a guarantee based
on a percentage of the customs re-
ceipts.
AS a result of this conference Senior
Baralt telegraphed President Castro
to return from La Victoria. The pres.
ident will reach here Monday and
Venezuela's answer to the foregoing
proposal will be given then.
1t is understood that Venezuela will
make any concessions, even abandon.
ing her demand that her navy be re.
turned. Through the Venezuelan del
egate to the commission the Vene-
zuelan government will ask that tho
blockade be lifted at once. Senior Ba-
ralt has expressed the desire that Mr..
Bowen represent Venezuela on the
commission; if Mr.. Bowen can not &C
cept the post it is suggested in Off
cial circles that it be given to w. w.
Russell, secretary to the American le'
cation.
Senior Baralt has Prepared the fol-
lowing statement for the public:
Venezuela agrees to pay all her
debts, the payments to be guaran-
teed by a certain percentage OF the
customs receipts or by the flotation
of a special loan, afro to be guaran.
teed. l believe the proposal to sub
NIT the issues to The Hague will be
acceptable to President Castro. l am
sorry that President Roosevelt was
unable to act as arbitrator"
Willemstad, Curacao, Dec. 29.-The
Venezuelan reYolutionists have re-
sumed active histilities against Presi-
dent Castro. There occurred Satur-
day morning a lively engagement be-
tween l 200 revolutionists, under Gen.
Riera, and government forces at Cauy-
awao, in the vicinity of Coro. Details
of the engagement are lacking, but it
is known here that the revolutionists
had artillery The government forces
were commanded by Gen. RefernO Cas-
tillo. Gen. Riera retained his position.
The armistice between the govern
ment and the revolutionists has just
expired
News has reached here from an au-
thoritative source in Caracas that vi
cente Gomez, first vice president of the
republic, intends to carry out bold
strategic stroke against President
Castro.
Gen. Zoilo Vidal and five other lead
ing supporters of Gen. Matos, who had
sought refuge here, left the Island of
Curacao early Saturday morning in.
sailboat, which took them in the direc-
ton of Cumarebo near Coro, on the
Venezuelan coast. The departure of
these men is taken as proof that the re-
volt against President Castro is again
active.