Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-12-23
American Steamer Gar
acas" Enters HarbOr
of La Guayra.
THE ITALIAN YIELDS
Captain of Warship Re-
sends Orders at In
stance of Consul.

Caracas, Dec. 23.-The American
Red Line steamer Caracas entered La
Guayra harbor this morning, the
captain of the Italian warShip Bau-
san, who yesterday issued Il notifica-
tion that he wouldn't allow any yes
sci TO enter the harbor, having re-
scinded the order at the instance of
Consul Diehl.
Lengthy Communication to United States
London. Dec. 23.-An important and
lengthy communication dealing with
the British views of the arbitration
of the Venezuelan dispute was directed
by Foreign Secretary Lansdowne to
United States Charge White this ev-
ening. 1t was transmitted immedi-
ately to Washington by White.
The Presidents Position.
Washington. Dec -. I'reSiue1Il
Roosevelt has not accepted the posi-
tion of arbitrator of the Venezuelan
controversy. In fact. when the official
day closed he had not received. formal
ly or officially. a request from the
European powers that he act as ar
bitrator of the dispute. These state
mentS are made on the highest authori-
ty. The only other development of the
imbrogliO yesterday was a formal dec
laratiOn of war at Trinidad. b. w. L.
against Venezuela. In an informal
manner the president has been notified
that the European powers intimately
concerned in the present South Amer
ican difficulty desire that he should IN
dertake the responsibility of acting as
arbitrator of the points at issue be
tween them and Venezuela.
Only Taking soundings'' So Far.
Thus far they merely have been TAX
ing "soundinGs.'' with a view, prOba-
bly,, of ascertaining how he would re-
ceive a formal prOffer to act as arbtra-
tor. The president, so soon as he re
ceived the first intimation that he was
desired to be arbitrator of the cOntro-
versy, expressed emphatically his judg
ment that the matters to be arbitrated
should be referred to The Hague tri-
bunal. His view of the suggestions
made has been conveyed TO the Eu
rOpean powers. together with n strong
presentation of his reasons for the
view he holds. No response of for
NAL nature to these representations
has been received.
No Change in the Presidents Mind.
Thepresident and Secretary Hay had
n long conference yesterday after the
formers return from his Virginia trip.
They carefully went over the situation
as it had developed since Saturday,
but it is understood that nothing has
arisen during the past forty-eight
hours TO warrant the president in
changing his opinion as to the undesir-
ability of his acceptance of the posi-
tiOn of arbitrator. The administration
holds that the tribunal at The Hague
is the proper one to settle this mat
ter.
Will Accept IL the Allies Insist.
The nature and strength of the OBJ
jectionS to the tribunal at The Hague
are not known TO the president off
cially. The acceptance by the powers
of the principle of arbitration as ap-
piled to the Venezuelan question is a
matter of great qualification to the
president and his cabinet. That all
the powers have intimated. too. that
they prefer the president to arbitrate
the dispute is taken as notable COM
pliment TO the president personally.
While it is recognized by the presi-
dent and his advisors that some un-
pleasant possibilities might attend his
performance of the duties of arbitrator
his friends assert that he will Shirk no
his duty to undertake. but will accept
if the powers insist on it, though with
great reluctance.