The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-21
Question Of Interference With Our
Ships May Be Raised. ,.
No Statement From the Allies ~ 70 whethee
ills Peace or War Observation-Disclosures
Caracas VIII he Allowed to Enter La
Guayra Under the Conditions Frame
Joins In Demand 10 share I'm Any Set.
Element Of Venezuelan Debts-Castrs
Has No knowledge Of Details Of
the Negotiations for Arbitration.

WASHINGTON Dec. 2O.-President Roose-
velts statement that he would be gratifled
if the European Powers now engaged in
coercive measures against Venezuela
would consent to refer their differences
with the South American republic to the
adjudication OF the permanent int ernational
tribunal of arbitration at The Hague has
met with prompt response from the Gov
ernments Of England and Germany. APP
parently by mutual arrangement. they
have expressed sympathy with the princi-
pie Of arbitration, but intimate that they
would prefer, should the basis for peace
able settlement be arranged, to have Mr..
Roosevelt act as sole arbitrator.
The views of the two European Govern
ments in this matter were communicated
to the State Department by the United
States Embassies in Berlin and London.
and were laid before the President by Secre-
tary Hay shortly before Mr.. Roosevelt
left town for his outing la Virginia.
THE PRESIDENTS ANSWER.
The response of the President, which has
probably already been telegraphed by the
State Department. il neither an acceptance
nor q rejection Of the suggestion made by
England and Germany. From an au-
thoritative source the following statement
of his position in the matter was obtained:
THE President is greatly hattered and
gratifed over the tribute to his sense Of
fairness shown by the suggestion that he
act as sole arbitrator Of the differences be-
tween Venezuela and her European credi-
tors. He Is gratifed also over the accept
ance by Germany and England Of the princi-
pie Of arbitration and their willingness to
have the pending differences adjusted
through that means. II certain preliminary
considerations are met by Venezuela. But
the President believes that n more sats-
factory disposition OF the Venezuelan inn
broglio could be made by adopting his own
suggestion to the Powers. that the settle
ment be intrusted to The Hague tribunal.
II, however. the Powers are unwilling to
accept any other arbitrator than the Presi-
dent. he will feel oblge to consent to act
in that capacity.
As explained in TIE SUN this morning,
the Administration believed that no better
solution Of the differences between Vens-
zuela and her European enemies could
be found than the reference of thespend-
ing questions to the permanent court OF
arbitration, and it was using all its energies
consistent with propriety to attain that end.
This suggestion was contained in the tele-
grams instruoing the American embas-
sizes in London, Berlin and Rome to notify
the Governments to which they are ac-
credited Of President Castro's action In
giving Mr.. Bowen full powers to negotiate
a settlement. The suggestion was en-
TREY independent Of the proposal Of Castro
that the claims Of the allies against Vene-
zuela be submitted to arbitration.
Responses to Castro's offer were received
yesterday and the substance Of them was
printed in THE SUN this morning. Italy's
answer. which was to the effect that she &C.
cepted the principle Of arbitration. but
would be guided by the attitude of Germany
and England. shows that she will be in ac-
cord with the suggestion Of those countries
that President Roosevelt assume the func-
tions of arbitrator. so that II may be said
there is unanimity among the creditor
nations on this point.
The Presidents expression OF hope that
the dispute be sent to Tho Hague tribunal
was made conditional upon tho acceptance
of this suggestion by Venezuela as well
as by the European Powers. No doubt
remains, however, that Venezuela will
he in hearty accord with the expressed
desire Of the President as well as with the
counter suggestion of the two principal
European creditors. A telegram directing
Mr.. Bowen to inform the Venezuelan Gov
eminent of the desire Of England and Ger
many that the President act ms arbitrator
was sent by Secretary Hay to-day.
PRESIDENTS FOR PRESIDENTS ACCEPTANCE.
The President and his Secretary of State
hold that Mr.. Roosevelt could with perfect
propriety become sofa arbitrator Of the
dispute, There are plenty of presidents for
his acceptance. In 1850 convention was
signed b. Chile and Colo mbia in which Ii
was set forth that the President of tho
United States should be- named as arbitrator
of differences between them il no other
arbitrator could be agreed upon. In 1894,
President Cleveland served a. sole arbitra-
M mor, nccen ,hie GIFT for lady N, ,e,, than