The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1902-12-26
ROOSEVELT
AS ARbITER
ENGLAND AND GERMANY WILL.
ING TO SUBMIT CLAIMS TO
VINE UtlA IS ALSO WILING
PRESIDENT WANTED QUESTION
SUBMITTED TO THE HAGUE
TRIBUNAL.
But Will NOT RtFUSE TO ACT
NEGOTIATIONS WILL SOON BE
UNDER WAY TO STOP HOS
TlLlTIEs.
But Will NOT RtFUSf TO AC7

Caracas, Dec. 70. In the name OIL
Venezuela President Castro has signi-
fed the acceptance of the appointment
of President Roosevelt to arbitrate the
Venezuelan difficulty.
Would Leave 1t to Roosevelt.
Washington, Dec. 23.-England and
Germany have indicated that they will
submit their claims against Venezuela
to arbitration If President Roosevelt
will act as the arbiter.
This is lot what the president de-
sired when he requested that the ques-
ton be submitted to The Hague tri-
bunal for arbitration, and, while he
will continue tt urge that there is at
The Hague all the machinery for arbi-
tration, created by a court of nations,
he will not refuse to ACT as arbiter. He
| will throw the whole question down as
q gauge Of battle, with the Monroe doc
trine as the barrier holding two great
powers from compelling Venezuela to
pay her debts.
No New Developments.
Oflcials of the state department an
nounced to the newspaper reporters
last night that there was nothing to
make public regarding the latest
phases of the Venezuelan embroglio.
Such dispatches from the American
embassies in Europe and from Minis
ter Bowen at Caracas, regarding Ven
ezuelan matters as came to Washing
ton we're of q confidential character,
concerning the nature of which it was
impossible to ascertain anything. 1t is
believed there has been no change of
Importance since Saturday, when the
state department announced that in
response to President Roosevelf's
suggestion to the allies that The
Hague tribunal arbitrate the issues the
European governments suggested that
the president himself act in the ca
pacity of arbitrator.
Adopt Detailed Answers.
Berlin, Dec. 23.-It has been learned
here that the governments of Germany
and Great Britain have adopted de-
tailed answers to the proposal to arbi-
trate the Venezuelan issues. These
communications will be handed to Am
bassador Tower here and Charge DAT
flares White in London to-day. The
correspondent of the Associated Press
has learned further that the German
answer agrees in all substantial effects
with the British answer, and makes no
separate reservations in behalf of the
German case.
Observe Strict Secrecy.
London, Dec. 23.-It is believed that
President Roosevelt's answer t o the
proposal made by the allied powers
that he arbitrate the Venezuelan is
sue has been received in London.
The strictest secrecy with regard to
every phase of the negotiations is pre-
served, however, and it is impossible
to make a definite statement; but such
Indications as are obtainable point to
President Roosevelt's acceptance Of
the office of arbitrator.
A constant interchange Of cable
grams is proceeding night and day be-
tween the United States embassy and
the state department at Washington.
II is believed that the presidents an
swer will be submitted formally to the
foreign Office to-day. BY day after to-
morrow, unless some unexpected COM
plications arise, 1t is believed, 1t is be-
lieved the negotiations will reach q
stage assuring a definite arrangement
and o~bviating hostilities.
Blockade Is Now On.
Port of Spain, Trinidad, Dec. %. -
The blockade Of Venezuelan ports was
begun with an effective foyce ct mid
night last night. The British have the
cruisers Indefatigable, Alert and Trib-
une, the special service steamer Co
lumbine and the torpedo boat destroy
er Rocket along the coast. The cruiser
Aridane, the flagship Vice Admiral
Douglas. is here and will remain here.
All the British operations will be d.
rected from Trinidad.
The United States battleships Kear-
sarge and Alabama arrived here yes
terday afternoon. Their appearance
provoked considerable comment on
shore, but when Admiral Higginson
called upon the acting governor of
Trinidad and the commander Of the
he took occasion to explain
that h visit to this port of the Ameri-
can men-of-war was part of the usual
winter trip of the squadron.
La Guayra, Dec. %. - The Italian
cruiser Giovanni Bausan has captured
a sloop which was coming from the
east. The British cruiser Tribune
left here at noon yesterday for Port of
Spain, Trinidad, with the schooner
Mercedes in tow.
One OF the results of the blockade is
that the harbor corporation and ship
ping firms here have dismissed their |
laborers. Over 500 men are, there.
for out of work.