Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1902-12-18
GERMANY THINKS
1t is Too Late to Tly TO Arbitrate-
Conduct of u. S.

Conduct of u. D.
Berlin. Dec. l6.-The German gov
ernment has not yet replied 10 Presl-
dent Castro's offer of arbitration, be-
ing still in correspondence with the
British government OH the subject.
II ia intimated that Germnay's reply
is not likely to be ready for some
DAYS. The opinion in the cabinet
aupears TO be that President Castro's
proposals are merely move IN
game designed to see what Germany
4and Great Britain are now wiling 10
do and to see what is the condition OF
American public feeling.
The prevailing idea here Is that 1t
is too late TO arbitrate and that the
acceptance of the offer to do SO would
place Germany in the position OF hav-
ing her hands to the plow and look
ing backward.
The governments concern at the
present moment is to, guide the appli-
cation Of force so as TO avoid what
could be taken internationally as
declaration of war, resulting In the
recognition of Venezuela as a bellig-
Grant. The conduct of the United
States is regarded IN diplomatic
opinion here as being strong and dig
nified and the state departments
handling of the affair is looked upon
as establishing Europe's recognition
Of the Monroe doctrine, because
every step of Germany and Great
Britain was made after taking III ac-
count what the United States thought
of it. At the same time 1t is claimed
that events in Venezuela are saving |
the United States many future COM
plications by letting the Latin repub-
lies understand that the United States |
will not protect them from the effects
of delinquency and internal disorder.
New York Dec. 1.-THE World |
has the following calbe:
Caracas, Dec. 17.-Venezuela has |
consented to accept the conditions OF |
the ultimatums of Great Britain and
Germany, and has named Minister |
Bowen as her arbitrator. PONTE.
Senior Miannsl Marie POnte, assist |
ant secretary OF the interior of Vene-
zuela and lately assistant secretary of |
foreign affairss, has been acting as
the Worlds special correspondent III |
Caracas during the present emergency.
Caracas, Dec. LIT has been de- |
ciede that the Venezuelan difficulty |
shall be arbitrated and the discussion
of terms of settlement is now going |
on. United States Minister Bowen
undoubtedly will be one of the arbi-
traitors.
The government fears that Coercive |
measures will follow the establish
ment of the blockade.
The awakening of the Venezuelan
people to the present situation OF |
their country is accompanied by feel !
Jugs of bitterness and sorrow. Their |
fleet has been destroyed and their
pride has been deeply wounded, but
they are resigned to accept the atfront |
which they consider has been offered |
them by the allies.
During the last ten days President |
Castro has acted with extraordinary |
energy. He has transformed the en-
tire country into vast camp, having |
raised more than 10000 men, whom
he has well armed, equipped and |
transported from every direction to La
Guarya and Puerto Cabello, in the
expectation that the allies would at
tempt to land at one or both of these
points.
But there has been change of feel
ing, and the prominent men of Vene-
zuela, who We're at one time ready 10
lead the people in defense of their
country, now consider that justifica-
tlon to take men or the republic away
from their families and their worn
does not exist They have resolved
TO discover a means TO bring about
arbitration, at least with the allies.
The means sought is thought to lie
through the United States legation,
and satisfactory results are on every
hand expected to follow.
4 member of the ministry said to
the correspondent of the Associated
Press:
1.-THE United States has not pre-
vented the allies from assailing us,
but it has obliged them to accept our
terms"