Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-12-20
Is the Proposition of the
Powers in Reply to
President
AS TO VENEZUELA
Meanwhile Blockade of
Ports is Announced
Internal Troubles.

Washington, Dec. 20.-President
Roosevelt has proposed to the allied
powers that the Venezuelan dispute
be submitted to arbitration of The
Hague tribunal. The powers have re-
piled with counter proposal that
President Roosevelt himself arbitrate
the issues.
y semi official statement made to-
night says: The invitation to Roose-
welt to act as arbitrator was made
after Il 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 Brit
ish note on all essential points,
Beginning of Blockade.
Washington, Dec. 2O.-The state de-
partment has received notice from
Charge d'Affaires White at London
that the blockade of Venezuelan ports
will begin the 25th.
Berlin, Dec. 2O.-The German gov
ernment today published a decree en-
bodying the conditions of the block
ade of Germany's portion of the Ven
eZuelan coast.
London, Eec. 2n.-Ghicial proclama-
tion of the blockade of Venezuelan
ports was gazetted this morning. be-
coming effective today.
YenezueIa's Internal Troubles.
Panama, Dec 2O.-NewS received
mere from the Venezuelan frontier is
to the effect that the revolutionary
movement against Castro is now more
powerful than ever. Gen. Matos is
said to be at the head of a powerful
army and on good terms with repre-
>entativee of tie foreign powers.
Cruisers Arrive at La Guayra
La Guayra, Dec. 2O.-The United
States cruiser Albany, the French
cruiser Troude and the British cruis-
er RetributiOn arrived here this
morning.
San Juan, Porto Rico. Dec. 2O.-The
United States cruiser Albany has been
ordered to La Guayra. She will re-
turn here Immediately from that port.
This step is taken in accordance with
instructions from Secretary Moody,
transmitted through Admiral Dewey.
Washington, Dec. 20.-The explana-
ton of the visit of the cruiser Albany
to l. a Guayra made here is that she
is taking a naval officer to assist Min
lister Bowen in the discharge of the
numerous duties suddenly devolved up
on him.
Washington. Dec. 20.-The official |
day yesterday closed without further
developments here respecting the Ven |
eZuelan complications. The status of |
the arbitration proposition, on which |
every one waits. was that wit q will !
ingness to accept such a solution in
principle none Of the allies was ready |
to submit unreservedly to arbitration;
in each case there We're reservations |
or conditions insisted upon. Respect |
ing the method of arbitration-if it |
should come to that form of adjust |
ment-it is noted that the feeling is |
growing that The Hague tribunal |
should undertake the case. Bowen, it |
is reported, wishes to come to Wash |
ingtOn in order personally to effect an |
adjustment with the resident ambas-
sadOrs of the allies, but while the state |
department makes no statement upon |
the point it is believed that it does |
not regard this plan with favor
Things Not To BE Arbitrated.
1t is pointed out here in connec- |
toion with the project to refer the mat
ter to The Hague tribunal that In |
some phases the disputes will not ad- |
NIT of arbitration. Such is the case, |
for instance, where attacks of Brit |
ish and German subjects and the Ger
man legation at Caracas, and arrests /
of consular officers have made the Ven
ezuelan offeBse equivalent to attacks
on the national honor of the allies, |
and as such to be atoned for only by
an ample apology. The Hague tribunal
could not arbitrate such issues, but IL
is pointed out at the state department |
that the claims are divisible, and that
If President Castro chooses to render
the necessary apologies the remaining