Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-18
GUARANTEES WANTED
FRANCE SEEKS AND IS GIVEN AS
SURANCES.
More Pacific Outlook for the Venezue-
Ian Troubles-Rendezvous Named
for Vessels Of Dewey's Fleet.

all that is required to enable him to begin
his functions as an intermediary is the
consent OF the governments of Great
Britain, Germany and Italy. It is believed
here that the crisis Is passing as to vene-
zuela, and that there viii be no more vio-
lence on the part Of the allies.
Allies Want Guarantee.
Whether the consent of the European
governments can be obtained will, 1t Is be-
heved here, depend entirely upon the suf
fciency Of any guarantee that can be given
for the faithful discharge by President
Castro OF any obligations he may assume
as the result Of Mr.. Bowen's efforts. The
Venezuelan public debt Is very large, and
the country is PROSTATE after the revolution,
and visible means Of meeting obligations
such as might be expected to follow the
peace agreement are lacking The allies
feel that they must be assured against the
consequences of another revolution and the
possible reputation by the president who
may follow Castro OF his undertakings.
The effort is to induce the United States
government to act as guarantor, but 1t Is
safe to say that 1t Will not succeed. and 1t
is beginning to appear that there Is likely
to be mixed commission appointed to
receive all Venezuelan customs and. setting
apart certain portion for the maintenance
of the Venezuelan government. dlsburse the
remainder among the powers until their
obligations are met. c~-
France Acts.
The government of France has now en-
tered the field as an active party in interest
in the Venezuelan trouble The French
government has. through its ambassadors
and charges and ministers, served notice
upon the governments of Great Britain,
Germany and Italy and by way Of informa-
ton has also told Secretary Hay that any
provision made for the settlement OF the
claims, against Venezuela must recognize
the pre-eminence Of the French claims.
France has for term Of years been en-
deavoring to settle. these claims against
Venezuela and has finally succeeded, with
out any kind of coercion. in securing an
undertaking from the Venezuelan gov
eminent to allot certain proportion Of
the customs receipts for the payment Of
these French claims. Any action on the
part Of the other powers that would wipe
out these customs receipts or any, peace
agreemsnt that would threaten to absorb
them all or to prevent a full payment Of
the French claims would therefore not be
just to France.
Assurances Given France.
The French government was. happy to
receive assurances from the other govern
ments named that any arrangement made
would provide for the security of the
French interests in the Venezuelan GUS
toms.
There was a fair representation of South
and Central American, governments In the
diplomatic callers on Secretary Hay today,
most of them being under direct instruc-
lions from their. own governments to OBJ
tain such Information as they could re-
speeding the purposes of the United States,
Most of them made no concealment of their
sympathies with Venezuela in the present
emergency
Germany Wants an Apology.
The State Department has learned that,
as reported In the Berlin dispatches,
mere money payment will not meet Ger
many's desires. Count Quadt, the German
charge. had long interview with Secre-
tary Hay today touching Venezuela and
the fact Is now apparent that while money
will satisfy Great Britain and Italy, Ger
many must have an apology. The differ
ence between her case and that of the
other powers is stated to be that the Ger
man legation at Caracas was attacked, it's
windows broken, the minister's sick wife
was terrorized and the German national
honor was otherwise touched in manner,
it is declared, that cannot be healed by
money.
No Pledge by This Country.
Touching the question of guarantee of
any obligation that may be assumed by
Castro as a result Of Mr.. Bowen's good
offices 1t is suggested again that the United
Of legislation to assume directly any re-
sponsibility for the execution Of Castro.s
pledges, 1t Is still possible for the State De-
partment to give an assurance to any par
ties who might be induced to produce the
money to pay the judgments against Castro
that when the time came for repayment
the United States government would exer-
else it's good offices to see that the obliga-
lions were kept. 1t is distinctly stated,
however, that no pledge Will be made on
\, 81 10 y2if Ct,i.
collect any Indebtedness of that kind
Although the representatives Of Great
Britain. Germany and Italy all called at the
State Department this morning to see Sec
him notice of the formal establishment Of
war blockade, and 1t was made known
that the allies are not yet agreed among
themselves on the details.
Where Dewey's Ships Will Go.
The Navy Department contributed one OF
the most important developments In the
Venezuelan situation overnight in the form
Of cablegram from Admiral Dewey, an
nouncing the proposed itinerary of the YES
sells Of his fleet during the Christmas holi-
days. 1t is clearly seen that the plan pro-
vides for no concentration of ships along
the Venezuelan coast. and SO prudentiy
and advisedly have its details been drawn
up that Secretary Moody today cabled the
departments approval of the orders.
This will set at rest the rImors that the
United States contefhplates complicating
the Venezuelan situation by dispatching a
large naval forcel to Ha Guaira as an offset
to the allied feet.
Admiral Dewey's cablegram, dated San
Juan Decembef IA, Is as follows:
Proposed itinerary of vessels for Christ
mas holidays: uKearsArge, Alabama, Mas
sachusetts, Iowa land Scorpion to Trinidad;
Illinois, IndianAi.an Hist to St. Thomas;
Texas to PointeapitSe; Chicago, Newark
and Eagle to Caracad: San Francisco. AL
bany and Wasp to Mayaguex; Cincinnati,
Atlanta, Prairie, tugSoand torpedo boats to
San Juan; Culgoa to Mayaguez and San
Juan; Olympia Nashville and Machias to
st. Kits; Detroit to- Antigua: Mayflower
and Vixen to Porto Raean waters and vicin-
ity, and Dolphin to Antigua and vicinity"
IN reply Secretary Moody sent the follow
ing cablegram:
Garry out proposed itinerary. Merry
Christmas"
Rendexvous Of the Fleets.
According to the approved plans the prin-
cipal fighting ships Of Admiral Dewey's
fleet win rendezvous At Trinidad right on
the coast OF Venezuela, and at St Thomas,
another British ppssession, near Porto Rico.
Rear Admiral Hfggfnson. commanding the
North. Atlantic squadron. will have conn