Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19
Suggests Diplomat Approach Allies with
Offer of Mediation.
MISSION IS ACCEPTED SUBJECT TO HAY
Attempt to Close Trouble Will Be Made if
State Department Allows.
POWERS HOLD OFF FOR DEVELOPMENTS
All European Governments Interested
Claim that war IL Not wanted and
suspend Operations I'm Hope oT
Venezuela Yielding.

CARACAS Dec. 1s.-Lopez Paralt. Ven.
ezuelan minister Of foreign affairs. has
transmitted to the United States minister.
Mr.. Bowen, a document signed by Pres
ident Castro, as constitutional president OF
the republic, and counterslgned by himself
as minister OF foreign affairs, in which Mr.
Bowen is recognized as the only repre-
sentative OF Venezuela in the matter OF ef-
fecting a settlement OF the present diff
iculty.
According to the terms Of this document,
Mr.. Bowen may act without restriction. and
he is to use all means possible to protect
the interests OF Venezuela
Events here are dependent upon tho
answers OF Great Britain, Germany and
Italy to the proposal OF arbitration ad-
vanced by Venezuela. These answers are
expected tomorrow. Should they be fav-
orable the Venezuelan government strongly
desires that a conference of the ambas-
sadors of Great Britain. Germany and Italy
to the United States then be held in Wash
ington, and that Mr.. Bowen leave La
Guayra on December % for the United
States on board the steamer Caracas, which
is due to reach New York on December 90
Mr.. Bowen would then meet the ambas-
sadors in Washington
No meeting for terms Of settlement is to
be held on Venezuelan soil
WASHINGTON, Dec 1S.-News Of Presi-
dent Castro's offer to Mr.. Bowen has
created some excitement here and Il is
understood power will be given the min
lister to act provided the allies agree.
whether the consent OF these govern
ments can be obtained will, 1t is believed
here, depend entirely upon the suflciency
OF any guaranty that can be given for the
faithful discharge by President Castro OF
any obligations he may assume as the re-
suit OF Mr.. Dowen's efforts.
The allies claim that they must be as
sured against the consequences OF another
revolution and the reputation by any pres
ident who may follow Castro.
The effort to induce the United States
government to act as guarantor, It is safe
ts' say, viii NOT succeed and it Is begin.
ming to appear that there is likely 60 be a
mixed commission appointed to receive all
venezuelan customs and. setting apart a
certain portion for the maintenance of tho
Venezuelan government, disburse the re-
mainder among the powers until their OBJ
legations shall be met
The government OF France has now en-
tered the field as an active party in the
trouble. The French government has
through its ambassadors, charges and min
listers, served notice upon the govern
ments OF Great Britain, Germany and
Italy and by way of information has also
told Secretary Hay that any provision made
for the settlement Of the claims against
Venezuela must recognize the pre- -eminencs
Of the French claims.
France is reported to have received as
surances from the other governments
named that any arrangements made would
provide for the security OF the French in
terests In the Venezuelan customs, but this
is not certain. Indeed, at a late hour this
evening 1t is stated that the allies desire
to look more closely into the proposition,
which is especially distasteful to Italy.
Money Payment Not Enough.
The State department confirms the report
that a mere money payment Will not meet
Germans desires.
Count Quadt. the German charge, had a
long interview with Secretary Hay today
touching Venezuela and the fact is now
apparent that while money will satisfy
Great Britain and Italy, Germany must
have an apology.
The difference between its case and that
of the other powers is that the German
legation at Caracas was attacked, its win
dows broken, the minister's sick wife ter
rorized and the German national honor
otherwise touched in a manner that cannot
be healed by money.
Touching the question Of a guarantee of
any obligations assumed by Castro ana as
result Of Mr.. Bowen's good ofhces, Il is
suggested that the United States, being
without power in the absence OF the leea-
tion to assume directly any responsibility
for the execution OF Castro's pledges, II is
still possible for the State department TO
give assurances to any parties who might
be induced to produce the money to pay
the judgments against Castro, that when
the time shall come for repayment the
United States would exercise its good otices
to see that the obligations were kept. Il is
distinctly stated. however. that no pledge
will be made on the part OF the United
States to forcibly collect any indebtedness
OF this kind.
Will Recognize Blockade.
AG understood here the blockade to be
declared by the allies against Venezuela
on Saturday is to be war blockade" as
contrasted with the peace blockade"
which has been in operation since the
trouble assumed an acute stage. ordi-
narily a legal blockade is preceded by
mality is dispensed with
formal declaration that blockade has
been established will be sent to all powers
and IT will be recognized by the United
States government.
The notice Of the formal blockade is not
understood here to mean that Mr.. Bowen's
efforts TO adiust the difficulties have failed.
II is believed the naval commanders OF the
powers are acting under explicit instruc-
tions which included the establishment Of
a blockade, and II is not expected that
these instructions will be suspended until
negotiations through diplomatic channels
have assumed a phase indicative Of a final
and satisfactory adjustment. As Mr.. Bowen
has only today been appealed to 10 en-
deavor to effect such at adjustment Il Is to
be expected the threatened blockade will
be duly published next Saturday unless IN
the meantime Mr. Bowen is able 10 offer
sufncient assurances that the Venezuelan
government Is ready to meet the ultima
tums.
Representative shafrOth (Colo.) appearsS