Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1902-12-20

Germany Not Only Asks an Apology
But Raises Many Points for
Adjustment.
Venezuela Must Also Guarantee the
Carrying Out Of the Decision
4, Of Arbitratcrs.

Washington, Dec. 20.- Secretary
Hay has received partial responses
from, the governments of Great Britain,
Germany and Italy, respecting the pro-
posal to arbitrate the Venezuelan diff
ficulties. Great Britain is favorable
to arbitration with proper safeguards;
Germany accepts arbitration in princi-
pie, but finds multitude of small ad-
justments to be made before entering
into the agreement; Italy, as the
Junior partner of the allies, declares
that she is favorable to arbitration, but
will be bound probably by the action
of the senior partners.
To secure these results the Ameri-
can embassies at London, Berlin and
Rome have been working energetical-
ly to carry out the instructions of Sec
retary Hay to ascertain how the pro-
posal would be received. AS far as
England is concerned the safeguards
referred to are believed to relate to
the question of guarantee, which is full
of difficulties. In this connection some
consideration is again being given to
| the feasibility of the assumption of re-
sponsibility for any award assessed
against Venezuela by responsible pri-
vate agencies, but the United States
government is determined not to al
4 low itself to be drawn into the posi-
tion of a guarantOr in this case, for
the precedent, once established, might
require the United States to become
the financial hacker of all South and
Central America. However, if private
concerns can be induced to enter the
field, the United States government
4 will do what it can to reduce their
risks. Secretary Hay, Sir Michael
4 Herbert, the British ambassador, and
1 Senator Depew were in conference
lduring the day and it is suspected that
\ this phase of the case was touched
upon, although no confirmation can
be had at this time.
Germany's Position Means Delay.
4 The German position presents the
4 great difficulties for, not only does 1t
i involve, a demand for apologies, which
sfare extremely repugnant to Venezue,
la but also presents so many points
occurring adjustment that it is evident
that many days or perhaps weeks
must elapse before the adjustment can
4 be effected and the case prepared for
4 arbitration. And the danger of delay,
IN the face of a blockade which seri-
ously cripples neutral commerce and
Invites hostile collisions with the Ven.
lazuelans, cannot be over-estimated
The efforts Of the United States, there.
fore, must be directed toward has
i tening Germany's action on the arbi.
h tration proposal. The Italian posi-
tion is, of course, of less concern than
that of the other allies. The Italian
ambassador here, in his intercourse
with the state department, has been
4 extremely moderate and considerate
4 giving Secretary Hay the impression
that he is we'll disposed to second any
effort of the United States to terminate
i the present dangerous situation.
The French government has served
lnotice that without abating her claims
the payment for which have been ar
4 ranged, she also claims the right to
have the claims of French citizens
which have arisen since the adjust
ment above spoken Of considered by
the joint tribunal, which will adjust
4 the Venezuelan debts. on a basis Of
\ equality with those of the other ma
4 tions. This contention is strongly re
sisted by some Of the allied powers and
is one Of the points which is likely tc
lead to the consumption of much time
and which must be disposed of before
a final arrangement can be made to ar
bitrate the case.
Il -. ~ . lt i