The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-12-20
UNITED STATES RECEIVE
ANSWERS OF POWERS.
What They Say to the Proposal to
Arbitrate.

"hat Ihey Say to the Proposal to
Arbitrate.
Washington, Dec. 19.-Secretary Hay
has received partial responses from the
governments of Great Britain. Ger
many and Italy respecting the pro-
posal to arbitrate the Venezuelan diff
ficult:es.
Great Britain is favorable to arbi-
tration with proper safeguards; Ger
many accepts arbitration in principle.
but finds a multitude of small adjust
ments to be made before entering into
the agreement: Italy. as the junior
partner of the allies, declares that she
is favorable to arbitration. hut 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 theoretically
to carry out the instructions of Secre-
tary 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 responsibility for
any award assessed against Venezuela
by responsible private agencies, but
the United States government is de-
termined not to allow itself to be
drawn into the position of a guaran-
tor 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 will do what it can
to reduce their risks. Secretary Hay,
Sir Michael Herbert, the British am
basador, and Senator Depew were in
conference to-day, and it is suspected
that this phase of the case was touch
ed upon, although no confirmation can
be had at this time.
The German position presents the
greatest difficulties, for not only does
it involve demand for apologies
which are extremely repugnant to
Venezuelans, but also presents so many
points requiring adjustment that it is
evident that many days, or perhaps
weeks, must elapse before that ad-
Justment can be affected, and the case
prepared for arbitration. And the dan
ger of delay in the face of blockade
which seriously cripples neutral COM
with the Venezuelans cannot be over
estimated. The efforts of the United
States, therefore, must be directed to-
ward Fastening Germany's action on
the arbitration proposal.
The Italian position is, of course
of less concern than that of the other
allies. The Italian ambassador here
in his intercourse with the State De-
partment, has been extremely moder-
ate and considerable, giving Secretary
Hay the impression that he is wei
disposed to second any effort of the
United States to terminate the pres
ent dangerous situation.
The French government has served
notice that without abating hel
claims, the payment of which has beer
arranged, she also claims the right tc
have the claims of French citizens
which have arisen since the adjust
ment above spoken of, considered by
the joint tribunal, which will adjust
the Venezuelan debts, on a basis OF
equality with those of the other ma
tons. This contention is strongly re-
sisted by some of the allied Powers
and is one of the points which is like
ly to lead to the consumption of much
time and which must be disposed of
before a final arrangement can be
made to arbitrate the case.