The Press., 1902-12-25
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WaSn1ngCOn, DecemDef, %, lyS. N
 A most sanguine view of the Venezue- Ian situation prevails in official circles in Washington. Acceptances of the arbitra- tion proposals forwarded by Secretary Hay have been received, and although there are some conditions imposed which will complicate and prolong the prelimi-' naries, it is believed that both Great Bri- tain and Germany are acting in good faith and will be reasonable when the actual negotiations are begun. Prompted by previous sad experiences in collecting debts from South American countries. both nations are endeavoring to secure some guarantee of the payment of such award as may be made by the arbitrators, ' It has Teen frankly stated by the admin istration that 1t will be impossible for the United States to make such guarantee. To do so would, in the opinion of the president and his advisors, establish d precedent, which must eventually lead tc' all Europe looking to the United States as the financial packer of the various South American nations. On the other hand, the administration stands ready with assurances of the utmost protection it Is in it's power to give, to any private concern which will furnish the guarantee demanded. It is known that represent ative of the Seligmans came to Washing ton last week to confer with the president and Secretary Hay with view to secur- ing governmental endorsement to loan which would satisfy the claims of the al- lies, but the attempt resulted in failure. At a more recent conference between Secretary Hay, Ambassador Herbert and Senator Depew, the latter representing the Seligmans, MT. Hay pointed to the long list of instances where the United States had enforced justice to It's citizens by foreign countries, and it is hoped that a satisfactory settlement will be the out come of the discussion.
 | Prominent representatives of the admin istration unqualified condemn the course of certain publications which are spread | ing the report that Germany is endeavor- ing, through her Venezuelan claims, to secure a naval base on this continent. That these reports have emanated from certain naval officers appears to have es- caped the notice of the administration. That they are groundless, however, is shown by the memorandum presented to Secretary Hay by the German Ambassa- dor on Dec. 11th, in which he says, "We declare especially that under no circum- stances do we consider in our proceedings the acquisition or the permanent occupa- tion of Venezuelan territory"
 The blockade of Venezuelan ports. &C., cording to previous notice, became affec- tive on Saturday at 3 p. m. Should the Caracas, which sailed from New York before the blockade was declared, arrive at La Guayra or other blookaded ports after that time, the allies will be entirely within their right in refusing her admis, sion, notwithstanding sensational reports to the contrary. This statement is based on article 40 of the United States naval e de, which expressly stipulates that un. der such cir i1cumstances the only obliga. tion on the part of the blockading forces is to inform the approaching vessel o1 the existence of blockade, and this GUS. tom has been followed by the United States in several instances.
 Congress adjourned on Saturday to inset again on Jan. 5. The most inter esting feature of the closing hours of the first session was the discussion of the Gu ban treaty, which took place, not on the floor of either house, but in the Hobbies and committee rooms. The terms of the treaty are in accordance with the predic tions made in these letters, except that g reduction of % per cent is allowed from the Dingley rates on imports from Cuba In some instances the discounts on Amer ican goods going into Cuba will be as higt as 40 per cent. from the duties on goods from other nations, but the general aver age will be 335 per cent. Considerable interest and some apprehension has at tached to the question of ratification There are authorities in congress who say that the senate has full power to ratify 8 treaty negotiated by the president with out the sanction of the house, and there are many others who claim that where { treaty modifies the revenue laws the con currence of the house Is essential. While