The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-25
Hopes to Escape Acting
as Arbitrator.
has THE ALLIES INVITATIONS.
Not So Much Opposed to The
Hague Court as He Thought
Announces NO Decision After . Coafses
cnce WITH Secretary Hay--Future Ne.
Eotiations 10 he More secret-Rebei
Forces In Vcnezueis Said 70 BE March.
ins on the Capital-Castro Gees
Ont 10 Meet Tncm-French View q
the Allies Invitation 10 Roosevelt.

WASHINGTON, Dec. a. President Rooes-
welt and Secretary Hay had a conference At
Mr. Hays residence late this afternoon over
he question Of the Presidents acceptance
or declination Of the request OF Germany.
England and Italy, that he act as arbitrator
Of the Venezuelan dispu<e.
The formal invitation s Of Germany and
England. but not Of Italy to the President
were received at the State Department this
morning. and, while no authoritative state
ment Of their contents il obta Unable, 1t 10 I'M
derstood that the acceptance Of the joint
request is not insist ed on so strongly, a.
the Government had expected from the
oral statement of the Ministers of Foreign
Affairs of the allies TO the American diplo-
matte representatives at their capitals. In
fact the three European Powers, granting
that Italy will follow her expressed inten-
ton to be guided by Germany and England.
are not unfriendly to the Presidents sug-
gestion that the arbitration should be by
The Hague Tribunal and leave way open
for his declination. This gives new phase
to the situation and makes uncertain the
acceptance by MIR. Roosevelt Of the request
to act as arbitrator which, until this morn
ing, was regarded as inevitable.
No statement as to the result Of the con-
ference at Secretary Hays house u OBJ
tainable. Mr.. Hay went out this evening
ard left word for newspaper reporters
that there would be no news tonight.
At the Executive Offices nothing could
be asoertained excepting that tho formal
communications from Germany and Eng
land had been laid before the President.
The indications are that no conclusion
has been reached as to the character OF
the Presidents answer, which may not
be drafted for transmission to London.
Berlin and Rome until the day after
Christmas.
The reticence displayed to-day by Of
ficia!s having knowledge Of the character
of the British and German communications
was tho result Of directions to them not
tdAtalk. These orders wcre born Of some
chagrin in Administration circles over the
manner In which American newspapers
have followed every move in the negotia-
tions that have taken place between Wash
ington and the capitals OF the thfte Euro
pean allies. 1t is said that the President has
been embarrassed by the publication Of
the views he held In favor Of transferring
the settlement OF the Venezuelan I'm
broglio to The Hague Tribunal and In op-
position to the suggestion Of the allies thst
he be arbitrator.
It was felt by the Administration that
if Mr.. Roosevelt became arbitrator these
statements would create the impression
that he had been forced against his will
into accepting that responsible off1oe.
and that they would also convey the idea
to the allied Powers that he was treating
their fattering request ungraciously.
In consequence OF the directions Man.
toned all communications in writing be-
tween officers Of the State Department
were transmitted under seal to-day. Tho
practice heretofore has been to send them
without cover by the hands Of tho regular
messengers. Not only does the intsrdic-
ton pertain TO news about Venezuelan al
fairs. but there In a general tightening Of
the lines concerning all news matters
with which the State Department has to
deal