New-York tribune., 1902-12-18
ALARM IN ENGLAND.
4LLI4NCE BONDS CH4FE.
Public Desire for arbitration IN Pe@-
ezUe}d q Great Force

Especial o New-York Tribune by French Caole)
Copyright 1902 The Tribune Associationo
London Dec. 1S, / a. m.-British disgust with
Germany lights up afresh as evidence IS sup
piled that the details of the coercive measures
not. has been generally inferred IN
England, prearranged with the Washington
Government. Signs of the divergence OF views
respecting the rights of neutral ships and the
distinction between a pacific and belligerent
blockade warnings that the American GOV
eminent is not satisfied with the methods
adopted by the allies Liberal. Conservative and
Independent Journals at once take alarm and
deplore the facility with which Mr. Balfour and
Lord LansdoWne were drawn into nara ana
fast dual agreement emphatically declare tnat
England's interests in Venezuela too in
significant TO justify the risks of a misunder-
standing with the United States. and describe
arbitration as the best chance of delverance
from an intolerable situation. The unanimlty or
Judgment in the English press on this question
is remarkable Alliance with Germany for any
purpose would have been unpopular after the
dubious results of the agreement respecting
China but it will become highly obnoxious IL.
suspicious justly aroused that the German
Emperor has sought To emprotl England and
the United States There are various eXplana-
tions of the peculiar form OF the AnglO-German
agreement respecting Venezuela One is that
the FOTolEn 1nCe IouIQ IL announcement w huiiJ
out the arrangement with Germany respecting
Fast Africa and was relieved when the German
Emperor suggested cooperation In Venezuela;
another is that Lord Bansdowne was over
reached at Sandringham by the astute German
Emperor. This hardly seems credible, for MT
chamberlain was also at Sandringham. and he
has been considered a match for anybody IN
driving a bargain. Another theory is that
Mr. Balfour who is a sincere friend both of
D+ai, int a.
tions that the Washington Government would
prefer ioint naval demonstrations to the single
handed action of Germany but was clumsy and
uns,Ispicious in accepting the terms of an agree
ment artfullv arranged at Berlin
Mr. Balfour's implication that state OF war
exists in consequence of the seizure or vessels
and the blockade of ports startled the House or
Commons last evening, but the logical force OF
the declaration is admitted by members. IL
this theory be adopted by the allies neutral COM
rnereA will be interrupted and an attempt be
made tn starve out castro by virtually closing
the custom houses without sezins them Ap-
n5rentIv England stands committed 10 the
enforcement of the omnibus bill of damages on
the part of Germany, and the ministers nave
tfed their hands without knowing what they
were about.
IT cannot be denied that the force or puphc
opinion here In favor of arbitration would Pc
Irresistible II proposals "etN Pi
bx the United States with practieai fhethou
nf guaranteeing payment of the award
The newspapers this morning display 8oou
deal of anxiety In commenting upon the latest
development of the Venezuelan situation MI
Balfour's statement In the Commons. 1t Is aa-
1nItted accentuates the increasing seriousness
of the position and the government Is "hrhou
against the policy of embarking upon hostliltes
of indefinite duration and unknown magnitude.
which cannot be stopped without Germanys
consent and cannot be continued without en-
dsngering Anglo-American friendship,