The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-23
HE WILL NOT sHIRK.
If the Powers Insist the President
Will Arbitrate-

Washington, Dec 22.-In an informal
manner the president has been notified
that the European powers intimately
concerned in the present South Ameri-
can difficulty desire that he should uE-
dertake the responsibility of acting as
arbitrator of the points at issue be-
tween them and Venezuela. Thus far
they merely have been taking Sound
ings." with a view. probably, of ascer-
tanning how he would receive a formal
proffer to act as arbitrator. The presi-
dent, so soon as he received the first m
tmation that he was desired to be arbi-
traitor of the Venezuelan controversy
expressed emphatically his Judgment
that the matters to he arbitrated should
be referred to The Hague tribunal His
views of the suggestions made have becr
conveyed to the European powers, to-
gether with a strong presentation of his
reasons for the view he holds No re-
sponse of a formal nature to these rep
reservations has been received
The president and Secretary Hay had
a long conference after the formers re-
turn from his Virginia trip. They care
fully went over the situation as it had
deve1CGed since SATURDAY. but it is
understood that nothing has arisen dur
ing the past As hours to warrant the
president in changing his opinion as to
the undesirability of his acceptance Of
the position of arbitrator.
So far as can be learned no specific
reasons have been advanced by the Eu-
ropean powers for objecting to a refer
ence OF the Venezuelan questions to the
arbitration of The Hague tribunal. 1t is
held by the administration that the
tribunal at The Hague was constituted
to arbtrate just such controversies as
that which has arisen between Venezuela
and the powers, and that it would be
desirable from every viewpoint that the
present dispute should go to that tribunal
for adjudication. How strong the Objec-
tions which Great Britain, Germany and
italy have to a reference of the Vene-
zuelan difficulty to The Hague tribunal
is not known to the administration al
this time. Even the nature of the OBJ
jections, If there be any. is not known.
of an arbitrator have not progressed sur
ficiently yet to develop such objections
as the powers may have.
The acceptance by the powers of the
principle Of arbitration as applied, to the
Nc-aezasels.n question is a matter of great
dissatisfaction to the president and his
cabinet. Tnat all the powers have init
president should arbitrate the present
dispute is taken as a notable compliment
to the president, personally and to his
administration. 1t is the hope of both the
president and his advisers, however, that
while there is precedent for his accept
will consent to a reference Of the mat
ters in controversy in the Venezuelan
question to the tribunal at The Hague.
While it is recognized by the presidents
closest advisers and by the president him
self that some unpleasant possibilities
might attend his performance of the du-
ties of arbitrator of the pending Vene-
zuelan difficulty, his friends assert that
he will shirk no responsibility that he
may deem it his duty to undertake, but
will accept If the powers should insist on
it, though he is very reluctant to do So