Evening journal., 1902-12-16
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the United States government to sub
NIT the claims of British and German
subjects to arbitration, which Lord
Lansdowne announced in the house of
lords is NOW under consideration by
the British government" Lord Lans-
downe added: 1--WE are greatly in
debted to the good offices of the United
States minister at Caracas"
In the house of commons yesterday
Viscount Cranborne. parliamentary
secretary for foreign affairs, made
statement relative to the sinking of
captured Venezuelan warships. He de-
MED that the British admiral was re-
sponsible for the sinking of the ships.
The under secretary said his majes-
tvs government had been informed
that the German commodore found it
necessary to sink two ships, but Great
Britain was not responsible for this.
The house was crowded last even
ing when the Venezuelan matter came
up for debate. Henry White. the
American charge daflaires, had a seat
in the diplomatic gallery. Mr.. Schwann,
after having expressed surprise that
the government was anxious for an
other war after South Africa, COM
planned of the paucity of the informa-
tion concerning the Venezuelan stu
alton, which has been given to parlia-
ment. He said he hoped arbitration
would be accepted, because, although
President Roosevelt is anxious to act
correctly, the situation is full of dan
gen, and the presidents hands might
be fored by politicians.
Lord Cranborne spoke after Mt
Schwann. He reproached this mem
Der with a desire to discredit the gov
ernment, and explained that the pa
pers in the Venezuelan matter were
very voluminous, and that those IS
sued were only a summary. He said
that Great Britain had to perform po-
lice duty among the nations and had
to prevent Venezuela from breaking
the law of nations. The United States
took the sensible view that Great Brit
aims insistence that Venezuela should
meet her engagements was no infrac
tion of the Monroe doctrie. No coun
try has been more anxious than Great
Britain, said Lord Cranborne, to as
sist the American government in main
tanning the doctrine.
This remark was greeted witt
cheering. Continuing, the foreign sec
retary said the British government hat
displayed great forebearance. and tha
It was only after Venezuela han beer
thrice summoned to do right that th'
government had been driven to strong
measures to secure the safety, libert!
and property of British subject il
Venezuela, and that in the execution
of these measures the government dc
sired to pursue the same course o
OF moderation.
Lord Cranborne said also that thu
blockade would be carried out will
every regard for the interests of neu
trails.
Premier Balfour declared that, in 81
far as the financial claims were con
cerned, the government was prepares
to agree to an arbitration tribunal T.
assess them equitably. He added ais
that the United States governmen
had not suggested arbitration. Angle
German interests in Venezuela ha
been entrusted to the American mini'
ter at Caracas, Mr.. Bowen, who, wit
admirable energy had protected tn
lives of British and Germans. TIL
premier said he understood that It wa
for Venezuela, through the Unite
States, that the suggestion for arbitrs
tion had come.
Italy to Participate.
Berlin, Dec. 16.-The foreign ofTic
announced yesterday that Italy wi
participate in the blockade by agree
ment with the allies, and that a POI
ton Of the coast will be assigned Z
the Italian ships. The proceeding
against Venezuela thus become in e'
cry respect tripartite.