The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-24
TRYING TO ARBITRATE
FOR VENEZUELA.
England and Germany Ask secu-
rity for any Award That May
be Made by ArbitratOrs.

Washington, Dec. 19.-Secretary
Hay has received partial responses from
the governments of Great BRIAN, Ger
many and Italy respecting the proposal
to arbitrate the Venezuelan difficulties.
Great Britain is favorable to arbitra-
tion with proper safeguards; Germany
accepts arbitration in pinciple but
finds multitude of small adjustments
to be made before entering into the
agreement; Italy, as the junior part
ner Of the allies declares that she is
favorable to arbitration, but will be
bound probably by the action of the
senior partners.
To secure these results the American
embassies at London, Berlin and Rome
have been working energetically to
carry out the instructions Of Secre-
tary Hay to ascertain how the proposal
would be received. AS far as England
is concerned, the safeguards referred
to are believed to relate to the question
of guarantee which is full Of Difficult
ties. In this connection some consid-
deration is again being given to the
feasibility of the assumption for res
possibility for any award assessed
against Venezuela by responsible
private agencies, but the United
States government is determined net
to allow ivself to be drawn into the
position OF guarantor in this case,
for the precedent once established,
might require the United States to be-
come the financial backer of all South
and Central America. However, #
private concerns can be induced to
enter the field the United States gov
ernment will do what it can to reduce
their risks. Secretary Hay, Sir
Michael Herbert, the British ambas-
sador, and Senator Depew were in
conference today and it is suspected
that this phase Of the case was touch
ed q pon, although no confirmation can
be had at this time. The German
position presents the greatest dihcul-
ties for not only does it involve de-
mand for apologies which are ex-
tremely repugnan5 to Venezuelans,
but also presents so many points re-
curing adjustment that it is evident
that many days or perhps weeks must
elapse before that adjustment can be
affected and the case prepared for
arbitration. And the danger Of delay
in the face of a blockade which seri-
ously cripples neutral commerce and
invites hostile collisions with the
Venezulans cannot be over estimated.
The efforts Of the United States there
fore must be directed toward Fastening
Germany's action on the arbitration
proposal.
The Italian position is, of course. of
less concern than that of the other
allies The Italian ambassador here,
in his intercourse with the state de-
partmeDt, has been extremely moder-
ate and considerate, giving Secretary
Hay the impression that he is well
disposed to second any efforts OF the
United States to terminate thespresent
dangerous situation.
The French government has served
notice that without abating her claims,
the payment for which have been ar
ranged, she also claims the right to
have the claims of French citizens
which have arisen since the adjust
ment above spoken of, considered by
the Joint tribunal which will adjust the
Venezuelan debts on basis Of equah-
ty 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 az
rangement can be made to arbitrate
the case.