Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-26
Venezuelan Dispute to Be
Referred to Tribunal.
MORE NOTES RECEIVED
ENGLAND AND GERMANY In
LINE WITH ITALY.
Willing to Adopt the Presidents Sug-
gestion Under Certain Restrictions
Discussion of the Cabinet.

BERLIN, December IA semi-oihciai
note published today says: las in the case
of the Italian note, the British and German
notes on Venezuela presented December 20
declare that IL President Roosevelt does
would be prepared subject to certain reser-
vations, to submit the matter to The
Hague tribunal"
LONDON December 6.-Confrmation
was obtained here today by the Associated
Press of the announcement from Washing
ton that the arbitration of the Venezuelan
questions Is now assured, and that, failing
the acceptance by President Roosevelt of
the invitations to become arbitrator, the
matters in dispute will be referred to The
Hague tribunal.
The Presidents Proposition Prevails.
AS a result Of the cabinet meeting today
1t is regarded as assured that the Vene-
xuelan dispute will be referred to The
Hague tribunal. Secretary Hay has been
conducting an extensive correspondence by
able with London, Berlin, Rome and Car
acas, and he was able to present to the
President and his colleagues in the cabinet
today almost the certain assurance that
the President would not be called upon to
arbtrate the matter himself since he does
not care to undertake that charge.
So the status of the negotiations today,
in brief. is that the Presidents original
proposition will prevail He suggested to
the allies that the case be referred to The
Hague tribunal; they rejoined with propo-
sition that he undertake the arbitration,
and he has again indicated to them pref
erence for The Hague tribunal. Formal
acceptance Of this last proposition has not
been declared, but it Is the understandings
gathered from the exchanges which have
already taken place, that the powers will
accept The Hague tribunal and a similar
assurance has been had from Venezuela.
Conditions Of Arbitration.
AS to the conditions of the arbitration
the President feels bound to remain silent
II anything is to be published touching
those conditions he feels it must emanate
from one of the parties to the arbitra-
tion. So 1t is not possible yet to know
definitely what are the conditions precedent
to- be met before the case goes to arbitra-
tion. 1t Is understood that some money
must pass, but 1t is also known that the
amount of cash to be required of Venezuela
before arbitration is not nearly so large as
has been stated in the press.
1t is not possible to learn either whether
the allies insist upon apologies from Castro,
and while 1t is assumed that the blockade
VIII be speedily raised, no arrangement to
that end has yet been made. The energies
or the negouators are now being devoted
to the framing of what will be known as
condition protocol, and 1t Is hoped that
while that class Of document does not un-
dertake to closely define issues to be pre-
sented 1t will still contain a provision for
the removal of the blockade.
Discussed by the Cabinet.
The Venezuelan difficulties, and the most
feasible plan of settling them by arbitra-
tion, again furnished the leading subject
discussed at the cabinet meeting held at
the usual hour at the White House today
The President and Secretary Hay acquaint-
ed the other cabinet members thoroughly
with the latest developments in the situa-
ton 1t is now pretty well understood in
official circles that while the President
dld not refuse to act as arbitrator of the
troubles he informed the European powers,
through Secretary Hay, that it was his
opinion that The Hague tribunal was
created fer just such a situation this.
He has gone so far, 1t is stated, as to
indicate to the European governments that
their failure to submit the troubles to this
tribunal would, in a way, amount to re-
pudfation of the very tribunal which these
countries agreed was the proper one for
settling International disputes.
The meeting was not so long as the ses-
sions of the cabinet usually are. All the
members except Secretary Root were pres
ent. The Venezuelan question was the
principal and practically the only topic of
general concern under consideration.
Secretary Hay presented the net results
of his cable correspondence with the gov
ernments at London. Berlin, Rome and
Caracas. In accordance with the sugges-
tion made several days ago by President
Roosevelt, through Secretary Hay. Presi-
dent Castro Of Venezuela was reported to
have agreed to submit the differences be-
tween his government and the European
powers to the arbitration of the tribunal
at The Hague.
The European powers not only consented
ha rht
but while they had expressed prefer
ence for an arbitration to be conducted
by President Roosevelt, they had assented
to his suggestion that the matter be re-
ferred to The Hague.
The presentation Of the case met the
hearty approval of the members Of the
cabinet.
Secretary Hay is preparing a note to the
powers. in which the qualification of this
government is expressed for the course
agreed upon by them in settlement of the
pending difficulties.
No intimation is given of the conditions
which may have been imposed by the Euro
pean powers or by President Castro prece-
dent to the arbitration.
1t is known that Great Britain was will
ing 10 submit the subject to the arbitrat ion
OF President Roosevelt practically without
conditions, but the suggestion Is made that
one and perhaps two of the other pow ers
might have proved embarrassing to the
President had he undertaken the RESPONSE
bility Of determining the question
The Sentiment of the Country.
The idea that The Hague tribunal Is the
proper place for this dispute is the one
most generally voiced throughout the coun-
try among the newspapers and people, it is
said. 1t is represented that II Europe were
sincere in desiring the establishment of
such a tribunal 1t ought to be entirely
willing that the first serious international
problem to arise since the creation of the
tribunal should be submitted to that body
The opinion prevails in official circles that
Europe cannot well disregard a piece of
machinery she was mainly instrumental in
creating. The idea thatsth tribunal could
pass upon features OF the Monroe doctrine
In way to be detrimental to this country
does not occur to the President as good
logic. The fact that the Monroe doctrine
and the general attitude OF this country
would not be properly before the tribunal
and could not properly be there unless
drawn in without justifable reason, has
presented itself to the administration. Fur
ther than this the President and others Of
his administration, 1t Is said. feel that the
0earos doctrine Is q part Of this country's