Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-12-26
ASKED 70 Be ARBITRATOR
Allied Powers Want President R0ose-
welt to Adjust Venezuelan
Difficulties.
REQUEST REFLECTS HIGH HOVER ON HIM

Hague Tribunal, But You'd II educ
family Act as Arbitrator Rather
Than Have Negotiations Fail
Blockade ProcIamntions.
Washington, Dec. 22.-President
Roosevelt has proposed to the allied
powers that the Venezuelan dispute
be submitted to the arbitration OF
The Hague tribunal. The powers
have replied with a counter proposal
that President Roosevelt himself
arbitrate the issues.
These were the developments over
night in the Venezuelan matter and
they seem to Justify the prediction
made in these dispatches that the
critical point has been passed. Pres
ident Roosevelt does not wish to act
as arbitrator i'll this dispute, for as
such, it is felt here, he would be at
once judge, jury and constable and
would be under the moral obligation
to execute his own judgment. The
president feels that reference to
The Hague tribunal wou d vastly
Would Reluctantly Assume Duties.
Still, rather than see the present
dispute proceed 20 extremes, it is
probable the president will reluc-
family assume the duties of arbi-
traitor. 1t is fully realized that any
decision rendered by Linn in that ca
pacity would be sure to bring him
the enmity of one or the other of the
parties to the controversy, and this
fact was pointed out to the president
early in the week by leading SEN
ator who had been called into con-
sultation. Nevertheless, to prevent
bloodshed and the destruction of
property and interference with great
commercial interests that would re-
suit in loss, it is believed that the
president would assume the charge,
providing his own view cannot pre-
vail.
An important fact developed Sat-
urd j is that the punitive measure
alb to be instituted, and in fact
now in force in some degree, will not
be suspended by the allies until u
definite agreement is reached as to
arbitration.
Venezuela also has been told
through Minister Bowen that the
president would welcome reference
of the dispute to The Hague tribunal.
While no direct reply has been re-
ceived it is not doubted that the re-
ply would be favorable if the other
parties consented to such reference.
Selected After Consultation.
Berlin, Dec. 22.-The semiofficial
statement made Saturday night says:
"Thc invitation to President Roose-
Welt to act as arbitrator was made
after thorough consultation be-
tween Germany and Great Britain.
An understanding has been reached
by the two powers on the reserva
tions attached to the offer and the
German note will agree with the
English note on all essential points,
Albany Dispatched to La Gunyra.
Washington, Dec. 22.-The follow
ing cablegram has been received at
the navy department from Admiral
Dewey dated San Juan. December 19:
"Torpedo boat destroyer not avail
able for duty assigned. Lieut.. Mar
bury Johnston has sailed in AL
bany.'
This action is in accordance With
instructions sent by the department
several days ago upon the reques,
of the state department that a nava!
officer be dispatched to the relief of
Minister Bowen at Caracas. Lieut..
Johnston was appointed to the naval
academy from Georgia in 1873.
Blockade ProcIamation.
London, Dec. 22.-The official proc
of the blockade of Venezuela
ports was gazetted Saturday morn
ing and becomes effective at once.
The text of the proclamation is as
follows: Foreign Office, Dec. 20,
19O2.-1t is hereby notified that as
the United States of Venezuela have
failed to comply with the demands |
of his majesty's government a block /
ade by his majesty's naval forces of
the ports of La Guayra, Carenero,
Guanta, Cumana and Carupano and
the mouths of the Orinoco is de-
clared, and such blockade will be cf-
fectively maintained from and after
the goth of December, subject to the.
allowance of the following days of
grace:
''For vessels sailing before the date
of this notification from West Indian
ports and ports on the east coast
of the continent of America-ten
days for steamers and 20 days for
sailing vessels.
'From all other ports 90 days for
steamers and 40 days for sailing yes
sells.
For vessels lying in the ports now
declared to be blockaded-15 days.
Vessels which attempt the block
ade will render themselves liable to
all measures authorized by the law
of nations and by the respective
treaties between his majesty and the
different neutral powers"
To Continue indefinitely.
The foreign Office says the block
ade of the Venezuelan coast will not
be relaxed until the powers enforce
ing their claims agree ON method
for the arbitration of their respen-
tive cases and Venezuela shows a dis
position to act sincerely.
Stress is laid on the difficulty IN
view of the diversity III the claims in
deciding on method of presenta-