The daily Republican., 1902-12-16
ALLIES ASKED
TO EXPLAIN.
Secretary Hay Sends Notes to
Germany and to Great
Britain.
WILL NOT REMAIN PASSIVE
If Rights Of American Ships
Are Violated. Powers
Also Get a
Note.

" Acil l.N'Ilo w, I've. ~ Nttl'tdIN y
Hay, after conference with President
Roosevelt. has written n note TO Gc!.
many and England, asking for an OK.
PLANTATION Of the bombardmrnt Of the
forts at Puerto Cabelo. The note in
quires what is expected to be gained by
this action.
In view Of the fact that a warShip Of
Great Britain assisted in the lombard
mcnt Of the forts it is regarded as very
significant.
Secretary Hay was the first caller at
the White House. He was in confer
ence with the president some time and
then went to the state department.
where he dispatched the notes to the
two powers. Upon the reply to these
two notes will depend the future action
of This government.
Secretary Hay expresses himself as
well satisfied with the situation. TO
members of congress- however, the
president and Secretary Hay admitted
the situation was critical
1t is known that the policy outlined
to the United States by Great Britain
and Germany did not contemplate the
bombardmcnt Of any Venezuelan forts
and at the most was to be peaceful
blockade of the ports.
Chairman Hit of the committee on
foreign ah2irs of the house is opposed
to favorably reporting any of the reso-
buttons regarding Venezuela which
have been introduced He believes that
should the Sla froth resolution be ia
vorably reported it would result in all
European governments looking to the
United States Hs the guarant0r of the
debts of South and Central American
states.
Secretary Hay has notified the GOV
ernments of Germany and Great Brit
ain that the administration will not re-
main impaSsivc in NcneZuela if the
rights Of American ships are intcrfnrcd
with.
The German government informed
the United Tutes that when the block
AIDE was established it would turn back
all shipping, though no effort would be
made to Soi2" the ships. The United
States government made no response to
this statement At~lhe time Nast year,
not feeling called upon to do so before
the presentation Of an actual ease.
Put now that the blockade is sought
to be established Secretary Hay has
informed the German government that
American ships should not be inter
fcred with In their trading except tie
Inhibition applies 20 all shipping. and,
further. the note ntinHtcs Il disap-
prOVal of stopDHgo at ali. In 50 doing
the state department is following Il
powers to establish Il 'prar"rul block
Hde' Of crete u 1896 Secretary Shpr-
man formally recorded Il refusal to be
bound by it.
1t happened that no American ship
had occasion TO enter CrptHn port
during III" brief period of time the
blockade was in force. 50 the issue WAS
not made then. but in the present case,
with regular lines Of American steam
crs entering Venezuelan ports at short
intervals. n test case must soon follow.
1t is within the legal right Of the allies
to close these ports.
But probably this can be accom-
plisl"d without protest on our part on
~ after Il formal declaration OF war.
The hope is growing here that such a
declaration can, Af'er all, be avoided |
owing to til" energy with which Mr.. |
Bowen has acted. The proposal Of |
President Castro 10 the allied powers |
for peaceful settlement was suggest |
ed by Mr.. Bowen, and it came to the |
state department through his hands.
II has been forwarded to London |
and Berlin through the embassies here, |
and rs both Great Britain and Ger.
many have heretofore prOlrsS"d de
sire to settle the issues p"Hccably it is |
hoped that they will avail themselves
of this opportunity.
The proposal did not mention the
method Of arbitration nor the limita-
tionS. and the point Of doubt which
may prevent the acceptance Of the
scheme is believed to be Castro'S uu-
to bind himself in advance
to I'll" recognition Of the principle Of
liability. He would leave the arhitrH-
tors TO determine whether or not he 10
liable at all.