Fergus County argus., 1902-12-24
SKROOSEVELT
TO ARBITRATE
England, Germany and Italy Sound
This Government on the Pos
sibility Of Acceptance.
COUNTER SUGGESTION is MADE.
Venezuelan Ports Formally Bloekad-
ed and Few Small Prizes TAX
en-Talk Succeeds Shooting.

en-Talk Succeeds Shooting.
Washington, Dec. 20. President
Roosevelt has not accepted the posi-.
ton Of arbitrator of the Venezuelan
controversy In fact, when the Of
fetal day closed he had not received
formally or officially the request
from the European powers that he
act as arbitrator for the dispute.
These statements are made on the
highest authority. In an informal
manner the president has been no.
titled that the European powers, in
timately concerned in the present
South American trouble, wish that he
should take she responsibility of act
ing as arbitrator of the points at is.
sue between them and Venezuela.
Thus far, they merely have been talk
ing "soundings" with the view, prob
ably of ascsrtaining how he would
receive formal proifer to act as ar
bitIator. The president as soon as he
received the first intimal,on that he
was desired to be arbitrator of the
Venezuelan controversy, expressed
smphatically his Judgment that the
matters to be arbitrated should be re-
ferred to The Hague tribunal. His
view Of he suggestions made has
been conveyed to the European pow
crs togeIner with a strong presenta-
tion OF bis reason for the view he
holds.
No response of the formal nature
to these representations has been re-
ceived. President Roosevelt and
Secretary Hay had a long conference
after the formers return from his
Virginia trip They carefully went
over the situation as 1t had develop
cd since Saturday. It Is understood
that nothing has arisen during the
past fortyeight hours to warrant the
president in changing his opinion as
to undesirahiIity of his acceptance of
the position of arbitrator. His friends
assert that he will shirk no RESPONSE
bility that he may deem it his duty
to undertake, but will accept If the
powers should insist on it, though he
is very reluctant to do SO.
London, Dec. 21.-It Is believed
that President Roosevelt's answer to
the proposal made by the allied pow
ers that he arbitrate the Venezuelan
issues has been received in London.
The strictest secrecy with regard to
every phase of the negotiations ID
preserved, however, and 1t is impos-
sible to make definite statement,
but such indications as are obtain
able point to President Rooseveitls
acceptance of the office of arbitrator
The constant interchange of cable
grams is proceeding night and day
between the United States embassy
here and the state department at
Washington. 1t is believed the presi-
dents answer will be submitted for
maliy to the foreign offices tomor-
row. BY Wednesday, unless some
unexpected complications arise, it is
believed the negotiations will reach
a stage assuring definite arrange
msnts and obilivating hostilities.
II must be said that the acceptance
of the office of arbitrator by Presi-
dent Roosevelt would greatly sur
prise the foreign office, which always
has been doubtful of the issue of ar
bitrati0n negotiations on account of
the belief that President Roosevelt
or the United States was not willing
to take the responsibility thereby in
volved- Judging from private Ameri-
can advices which have been receiv-
ed at London, President Roosevelt as
arbitrator would oe favorably dispos-
ed toward the temporary adoption Of
some such method as was arranged
with the Venezuelan secret mission
and communicated to the state de-
partment by Isaac Seligman. With
President Roosevelt acting as arbi-
traitor serious objections in the mat
ter Of guarantees, which frequently
have been mentioned at the foreign
office and in these dispatches, would
disappear. The foreign office has
repeatedly said that the great diff
ficulty In its seeing a way to q pa
cific settlement of the Venezuelan
trouble. was its inability to ascertain
to what extent the United States was
willing to assume responsibility. In
spite OF the fact that Sunday Is usual
ly sacred to leisure In London's d.
plomatic circle, today has been mark
ed by activity at all the embassies,
and especially the American, where
work was In progress all last night.
The promptness with which Wash
ington deals with tho vital matters
concerning which prolix pour parlers
have been interchanged in Europe,
astonishes diplomats here and forms
an interesting phase of the engros-
sing situation.
Washington, ID. c., Dec. 20-Presi.
dent Roosevelt has proposed to the
allied powers that the Venezuelan
dispute be sumbitted to arbitration
OF The Hague tribunal. The powers
have replied with a counter proposal
that President Roosevelt himself ar
bitrate the issues. II is believed
that rather than have the arbitration
suggestion fail. President Roosevelt
will ultimately agree to act aa arbi.
traitor. although very unwillingly,
since he believes that arbitration
would be much better before The
Hague tribunal. II an agreement is