Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-12-27
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GREAT Britain, Germany and Italy Send
Venezuelan Answer.
BERLINs REPLY is UNSATISFACTORY.
One Of Its Requirements Said TO Be An Apol'
ogy From castro-Asks Amends for the
Arrest Of consuls and Stacking of Legation
-Englands Chief Concern is for Adequate
Guarantee Hay VIII Ask Allies to Reeede.

Washington. d.. c. (SpeciaD.-Secre-
tary Hay has received partial responses
from the Governments OF Great Britain.
Germany and Italy respecting the pro
posal to arbitrate the Venezuelan dill
ficulties.
Great Britain is favorable TO arbitra-
tion with proper safeguards.
Germany accepts arbitration i'll prin-
ciple. but finds multitude OF small ad-
justments to be made before entering
into the agreement.
Italy. as the junior partner OF the
allies. declares that she is favorable TO
arbitration. but will be bound probably
by the action OF the senior partners.
As far as England is concerned. the
safeguards referred TO are believed TO
relate 10 the question OF guarantee.
which is full oil difficulties. Some con-
sideration is again being given To the
feasibility OF the assumption OF
responsibility for any award assessed
against Venezuela. but the United
States Government is determined not
10 allow itself to be drawn into the po-
sifion OF a guarantor in this case. for
the precedent. once established. might
require the United States 10 become the
financial hacker OF all South and Cen
trail America. However. il private con-
Germs can be induced TO enter the field
the United States Government will do
what it can to reduce their risks.
Secretary Hay. Sir Michael Her
bert, the British Ambassador. and Sen
afor Depew were in conference. and it
is suspected that this phase oil the case
was touched upon. although no confir-
nation can be had at this time.
The German position presents the
greatest difficulties. Tor not only does it
involve a demand for apologies. which
are extremely repugnant to Venezue-
lans. but also presents so many points
requiring adjustment that it is evident
that many days. or perhaps weeks. must
elapse before that adjustment can be
effected and the case prepared Tor arbi-
tration.
The danger OF the delay in the face
OF blockade. which seriously crippleS
neutral commerce and invites hostile
collisions with the Nenezuelans. cannot
be overestima:ed The effort OF the
United States. therefore. must be di-
rected toward Fastening Germanys ac-
tion on the arbitration pronoSal and
toward endeavoring TO persuade il TO
recede on some particular.
The Italian position Is. OF course. OF
less concern than that OF the other al
lies. The Italian ambassador here. III
his intercourse with the State DEPART
ment, has been extremely moderate
and considerate. giving Secretary Hay
The impression that he is well disposed
10 second any effort OF the United
States to terminate the present dan
gerous situation.
The French Government has served
notice that. without abating her claims.
the payment for which has been ar
ranged. she also claims the right TO
have the claims OF the French citizens
which have arisen since the adjustment
above spoken OF considered by the joint
tribunal which will adjust the Venezu-
elan debts on basis OF equality with
those of the other nations.
This contention is strongly resisted
by some OF the allied Powers. and is
one OF the points which is likely to lead
TO the consumption OF much time and
which must be disposed OF before a
final arrangement can be made to arbi-
frate the case.
Secretary Hay laid before the Cabi-
net meeting the latest phases of the
Venezuelan situation as shown by the
correspondence he had had with our
Ambassadors and the Foreign Offices
at London, Berlin and Rome. and also
acquainted the members with the sub
stance OF the verbal exchanges which
had taken place with the Ambassadors
from those capitals in Washington.
After a thorough discussion OF the
subject. the Cabinet gave its unquali-
fed approval to everything that had
been done by Secretary Hay and also
10 his plans for the future. so far as
they were outlined. II is gathered that
the attitude OF the United States is
for the present waiting one. in the
hope that the allies will soon be able
10 agree upon the basis upon which
they are willing to accept arbitration.