The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-23
AsHINGTON. December 22.- President Roosevelt has not
 accepted the position of arbi'

dcCGDl6Q llt pOSillOh OI ebA bA- trator of the Venezuelan controversy. In fact, when the official day closed he had not received, formally or officially, re- quest from the European powers that he act as arbitrator of the dispute. These statements are made on the highest au- thority.
 In an informal manner the President has been notified that the European pow CTS intimately concerned in the present South American difficulty desire that he should undertake the responsibility of acting as arbitrator on the points at is- sue between them and Venezuela. Thus far they merely have been taking sound ings, with view probably of ascertain ing how he would receive formal prof fer to act as arbitrator.
 The President as soon as he received the first intimation that he was desired to be arbitrator of the controversy ex- pressed his judgment that the matters to be arbitrated should be referred to the Hague tribunal. His view of the sugges- tions made has been conveyed to the Eu- ropean powers together with a strong presentation or ms TedSOnS TOT lDe NleW he holds. No response of a formal nature to these representations have been re- ceived.
 Has Long Conference.
 The President and Secretary Hay had a long conference today after the form CTS return from his Virginia trip. They carefully went over the situations as 1t had developed since Saturady, but 1t is understood that nothing has arisen dur ing the past forty-eight hours to war rant the President in changing his opin- ion as to the undesirability of his accept. ance of the position as arbitrator. So far as can be learned no specific reasons have been advanced by the European powers for objecting to a reference of the Venezuelan questions to the arbitra- ton of the Hague tribunal. It is held by the administration that the tribunal at the Hague was constituted to arbitrate just such controversies as that which has arisen between Venezuela and the powers, and that 1t would be desirable from every view point, that the dispute should go to that tribunal for adjudica- ton. How strong the objections which Great Britain, Germany and Italy have to a reference of the Venezuelan difficulty to the Hague tribunal is not known to the administration at this time. Even the nature of the objections if there be any, is not known. The negotiations looking to the selection of an arbitrator have not progressed sufficiently yet to develop such objections as the powers may have.
 Gratified at the Change.
 The acceptance of the powers of the principle of the arbitration as applied to the Venezuelan question is matter of great qualification to the President and his cabinet. That all the powers have in timated too, that they would prefer the President should arbitrate the present dispute Is taken as notable compli- ment to the President personally and to his administration. It is the hope of both the President and his advisors, how ever that while there is precedent for his acceptance of the post of arbitrator, the powers will consent to reference of the controversed matters in the Venezu- elan question to the tribunal at the Hague. While it Is recognized by the Presidents closest advisers and by the President himself that some unpleasant possibilities might attend his perform ance of the duties of arbitrator of the pending Venezuelan difficulty and his friends assert that he will shirk no re- sponsibility that he may deem 1t his duty to undertake, but will accept if the DOW CTS should insist on it, though he is very reluctant to do so.
 Gunboat Marianda Escapes.
 Caracas. December 22.-The Venezuelan gunboat Marianda, the best vessel in the fleet, is still successful in escaping Ger man pursuit. She is now in the most southern part of Lake Maracaibo, near Ie Ceiba, and beyond the reach of the allies. The German cruiser Fake made an attempt to cross the bar at Mara caibo without a pilot, but desisted in view of the danger. She is now cruising out side the bar.