The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-30

Washington, December :T.-There -
now in rogress an active exchange oe
notes between the allied powers, vene-
zuela and the United States respecting
the method of submitting to arbitrA-
ton the issues which have arisen be-
tween Venezuela and the allies. Ques-
tons are being put and answers are
forthcoming. but IL is said that the
negotiations are in such shape that e
would be extremely injudicious and In
discreet to make each phase public II
there really existed n desire to reach q
satisfactory settlement.
It is expainled at the state depart
ment that the part of the United States
government just now Is that of good
lends to all parties: that Ii is not
Undertaking to draw up protocols, or
impose limitation upon the parties. but
Is combining its offices to getting them
together and keeping them SO. In this
view 1t will not be necessary for our
government to prescribe how the Mon
zoe Doctrine shall or shall not figure
in the protocols; it will Judge for ITSELF
- ~SN ouf kllCfGSIS II AIIeCI@
ed and will not indulge In premature or
uncalled for protests.
AS for the terms OF h arbitration
agreement, IL is stated that they are I'm
a fair way to be speedily adjusted. but
nothing can be said Of the details. II
Is presumed that the allies will agree
TO terminate the blockade, though no
stipulation has yet been entered into
on that point. Nothing has been heard
recently of the part to be taken by
n United States Minister Bowen In
the final settlement, and IL begins To
appear that, after all Venezuela WIN
probably be represented by one of her
own people.
Berlin. December z7.-The German
government is disappointed by Presi-
dent R~oosevelt's declination to be ar
bitrator in the Venezuelan dispute, but
In pursuance of his decision will CORE
spond at once with Great Britain ard
Italy on the subsidiary questions that
must now be agreed upon, such as rails
Ing the blockade and the definite sorrn
of request whereby Venezuela on one
side II Germany. Great Britain an1
Italy on the other, will ask The Hague
to adjudge the dispute.
The interchange Of views on these
and other requirements probably viii
take place at Washington, where the
ambassadors can confer freely with
Secretary Hay and obtain through
him, President Castro's assent to the
precise propositions. he German for
eign Office considers Washington a nm
venient place for further negotiation
Foreign Secretary Won Richthofen re-
grets the long delay which Is likely to
ensue before the final adjustment Of
the controversy. He had relied upon
President R~oosevelt's personality 20
A a h4 ~aaa ord --.@ A--4-I>-
quickly.
The Presidents Declinaffon.
Rome, December z7.-Ambassador
Meyer today presented to the foreign
Office President RooseveIt's note on the
subject of Venezuelan arbitration. The
president says that although he In vary
gratifed at the confidence the powers
have shown in him by choosing him a.
arbitrator. which position he would
nave accepted IL there were no otne1
means of solving the question. Id
thinks it better to submit the case to
The Hague tribunal, especially as all
h powers concerned are willing. Thl
president adds that as there Is no qEeS-
ton Of national honor or cessation ol
territory involved. after thorough con.
sideration and In accord with all thu
powers concerned, who have shown Al
honorable spirit of mutual considera.
ton and moderation, he is glad to b
informed that they all have agreed Il
submit the question TO The Hague trfb.
unal.
Note Received at
London, December z7.-The forefgy
office officials say a note from Secrefar,
Hay similar to those presented at Rom
n Berlin has been received here
Nothing has yet been decided regard
ing the cessation OF the blockade q
the terms Of the arbitration protocol.
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