The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
Ambassador Requests That Minister Bowen Assume
 Charge of Case
HE DOES NOT LOOK ID
 TERRITORIAL SEIZURES
It Is Believed That Reply On Arbltra- ton Proposed By U. s. Will Be Acted Upon Unanimously By
 the Three Powers

Washington, December 16.-The Italian ambassador today called at the state de- partment and advised Secretary Hay that Italy had joined the allies against the operations against Venezuela. He re- quested that MT. Bowen assume charge of the Italian case and the secretary granted this request subject to the ap proval of Venezuela. Italy's position is on the same plan of abstention from territoral seizures as Germany and Great Britain. Failing to hear from Europe as to MT. Bowen's proposal to arbitrate the Venezuelan troubles, Secretary Hay today addressed cablegrams to the United States ambassador at London, Berlin and Rome instructing them to call the mat ter again to the attention of the govern ments, to which they are accredited, with view to securing an early explanation of opinion from them.
 The Italian ambassador explained to Secretary Hay that it had been the hope of the Rome government at first to reach satisfactory settlement of her claims against Venezuela, such as France had secured. To this end a polite but firm note was addressed to the Caracas for eign office, after the ultimatums of Ger many and Great Britain had been sent. Pending a reply to this note, the Italian authorities did not resort to drastic measures When the reply came 1t was found to be not only rejection of all Italys demands, but its tone was wholly displelasing and it was, therefore, neces- sary for Italy to follow suit with Ger many and Great Britain, and join in the allied naval demonstrations. There is one l Italian vessel now at La Guaira and two i more are understood to have sailed today for Venezuela waters from Nipples Reply Will Be Unanimous.
 So far as Secretary Hays proposal to the powers of arbitration is concerned, it i is learned from an official source that Tn view of the fact that the allied powers have agreed to assist each other in the 1 pressing of their claims against Ven l ezuela, there is the feeling that the reply l of Germany, Great Britain and Italy l should be unanimous.
 Estimated at between two and three million bolivars, Italy's claims are consid- l erably in excess of those of Great Britain 1 ana the course Ol lIlc 1NoiliS SoN0A i in not acting hastily in the matter has commended itself to the state department.
 Before leaving this morning, the Italian ambassador gave Secretary Hay every assurance that his government wished to act strictly in accordance with President Roosevelts Interpretation of the Monroe 1 doctrine.
 l One of the comforting features of the days developments to the official mlnd was the reception of an intimation that so far as Great Britain was concerned, she was disposed to accept the view of the state department nere, as to tEe limitations of a peaceful blockade
 That is to say, the disposition is 10 avoid interference with neutral merchant shipping, where its movements don give actual aid to the Venezuelan government. There is some reason to believe that at present there is a difference of opinion between the allies relative to the blocK- ade and that Eangland with her great commercial and shipping interests is re- luctant to comment to the imposition of irritating burdens upon 1t, every time there is a serious fricuon between the two nations, yet not justifying declara- tion of war.