The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-17
ARBITRATION IMPROBABLE.


LONDON, Dec. 16.-Judging from state
ments given out by the Foreign Office, the
Venezuelan situation tonight does not ap-
pear to be any nearer a settlement. Up to
a late hour tonight no suggestion had been
made that Great Britain could eventually
see its way 10 submitting its claims TO arbi-
tration. and the Foreign Office points out
that Venezuela's offer to arbitrate is ex-
tremely vague President Castro, in the
communication in which he expresses his
Willingness TO resort to arbitration, pro-
vides no guarantee that the rights of Brit
ish subjects in Venezuela will be respected
pending the award The Foreign Office
claims that some matters are impossible to
arbitrate, instancing the disrespectful
treatment of Mr.. Haggard. British minister
to Venezuela. To arbitrate the financial
claims, however, will meet with no Opposi-
ton in official circles in London, nor Is
there any desire TO stir up opposition here
armed compact with Germany; but. quot
ing from the Foreign Office, lat the same
time there is not the slightest inclination to
let Venezuela go unpublished for her re-
peated insults and injuries. The offer to
arbitrate comes very late. We are not
seeking quarrel, but We must insure our
selves against a recurrence of the acts
which led To the present situation.
The Foreign Office appears to be without
official cognizance OF the attitude of the
Washington government. although it is
convipced unofficially that Washington is
anxious that further hostilities be avoided.
1t is known that the Foreign Office has
made inquiry as to whether the United
States would be willing to guarantee the
fulfilling of VeneZuelan's pledges, either at
the immediate cessation of the present Eu-
ropean action or pending the award of arb-
traitors. This inquiry resulted i'm a direct
negative from the United States. With the
guarantee of the United States, the Foreign
Office says, arbitration in the Venezuelan
matter would be an immediate probability,
hitherto unreliable arbitration is difficult of
accepting, even upon the points where in
ternational relations admit of such
method of settlement.
Replying to a question in the House of
Lords to-day, Lord Lansdowne, the foreign
secretary, said that if the seizure of the
Venezuelan gunboats did not produce the
desired effect, further coercive measures
would be employed. The matter had been
considered in consultation with Germany
and ii had been decided to resort to block
ade of the ports. 1t was not intended to
land British force and still less to occupy
Venezuelan territory.
Replying to question in the House of
Commons to-day, Under Foreign Secretary
Cranborne said no attempt had been made
by Great Britain to refer the dispute with
Venezuela to arbitration.
Premier Balfour presided at a Cabinet
meeting held at the Foreign Office at noon
to-day. The Venezuelan crisis and the
Kings speech at the prorogung of Parlia-
ment were the principal matters considered.
Lord Lansdowne's Reputation of any in
tention on the part of Great Britain to
land forces in Venezuela, a statement made,
il is thought, for the purpose of reassuring
the United States. is commented upon by
the papers this morning as likely TO en-
holden President Castro in his resolution
to defy the powers. 1t is now seen that
Emperor Williams recent visit to King
Edward at Sandringham was coincident
with, and undoubtedly concerned, the final
arrangements of the Anglo German agree
ment. Premier Balfour is seriously re-
preached with having misled the country
when, at the Guild Hall banquet on Nov.
10. he protested that the assertions of the
newspapers thet some negotiations were
going on in connection with Emperor Will
liam's visit were fantastic inventions.
RumOrs are current in Brussels and CO.
penhagen that Holland and Denmark are
about to present their claims to Venezuela
for a settlement.