Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-19
POINT TOWARD PEACE
Replies From the Powers Re-
garding Arbitration.
RESPONSES RECEIVED
MANY DIFFICULTIES FIRST TO
BE OVERCOME.
Conference at the State Department
Between Secretary Hay, the British
Ambassador and Senator Depew.

Secretary Hay has received partial re-
sponses from the governments Of Great Brit
ain, Germany and Italy respecting the pro-
posal to arbitrate the Venezuelan difficult
ties. Great Britain Is favorable to arbi-
tration provided the proper safeguards can
be had; Germany accepts arbitration in
principle, but suggests number of OBJ
stacles which must be removed before an
arrangement can be reached; Italy, as the
junior partner in the alliance. is well dis
posed toward arbitration, but feels that she
should be bound by the action of the SEN
ior partners, Great Britain and Germany.
To secure these results, the American en-
basies at London. Berlin and Rome have
been working energetically to carry out the
Instructions of Secretary Hay to ascertain
how the proposal would be received. AS far
as England is concerned, the safeguards re-
ferred to are believed to relate to the ques-
tion Of guarantee, which is full of difficult
ties.
Guarantees of Payment.
In this connection, as indicated in these
columns yesterday, some consideration is
again being given to the feasibility of the
assumption of any responsibility for any
award assessed against Venezuela by re-
sponsible private agencies, but the United
States government is determined not to al
low itself to be drawn into the position of
guarantor in that case for no matter how
much disposed to shelter Venezuela in her
troubles, the precedent once established
might require the United States to become
the financial backer of all South and Cen
trail America. However, If private concerns
can be induced to enter the field the United
States government Will do what ii can to
reduce their risks.
Secretary Hay Sir Michael Herbert the
British ambassador, and Senator Depew
were in conference for time this morning
and it is suspected that this phase of the
case was touched upon. although no con-
frmation can be had at this time.
Germany's Demand.
The German position presents the greatest
difficulties, for not only does it involve
demand for apologies which are extremely
repugnant to the thin-skinned Venezuelans,
but also presents so many points requiring
adjustment that 1t is evident that many
days or perhaps weeks must elapse before
that adjustment can be effected and the
case prepared for arbitration. And the
danger of delay In the face Of blockade
which seriously cripples neutral commerce
and invites hostile collisions with the Vene-
! zueIans cannot be overestimated. few
acts of genuine war. such as the killing OF
sailors, or sinking of ships. or the lombard
ment of town, involving the loss of life,
and the hope Of arbitration would then, 1t
Is feared. have to be dismissed. Therefore
the efforts of the United States must be
directed toward fastening Germany's ac-
tion on the arbitration proposal.
The italian position is, Of course, of less
concern than that of the other allies. The
Italian ambassador here, in his intercourse
with the State Department has been ex-
tremey moderate and considerate; giving
Secretary Hay the impression that he is
well disposed to second any effort Of the
United States to terminate the present dam
gerous situation.