New-York tribune., 1902-12-16

IN o,r claims" continued the Liberal leader
unless the Germans perfectly satisfied WIN
tbe settlement of their claims Such an agree
7nent is contrary to the countrys pest interests
The noble lord has said nothing about an mn
-,nrtant communication received from the OhiCe.
states. there would be universal satisfaction IL
this communication was OF such a nature "
ia lead TO a peaceful solution of what, after all'
seems TO be a somewhat squaiid dlfhcuII5-
r-a,,ier BsIfour then spoke. He accused the
,,,o,-er and the seconder of the motion 10 do-
sourn of 4 desire TO discredit the government
and said this was not the way to approach q
nainfuI International episode. The Premier oe-
rlared there was no justification for the assuiip
tion that the government was prepared 10 so -
war for the Venezuelan bondholders Inc q
of the matter was series of outrages oS NeiieA
relans Oh British seamen and shipowners' ioi
which not only had compensation peeh lehuSeu'
but Great Britain's remonstrances hao DeeH
entirely disregarded. 1t was intolerable STU
alton and the Premier denied that the govern
rF1ent had been unduly hasty- Sir Henry camp
ll-Bannernlan appeared TO desire 10 co-opeie'e
with Germany on his own peculiar terms oul
few allies would be prepared TO act on such d
basis.
Continuing Mr.. Balfour said that in so faF as
tbe financial claims were concerned the govern
prepared TO agree 10 q AilCN1ANA - -
sess them equitably. He said also that the United
rrstes Government had not suggested aroltra-
tion. Anglo-German interests in Venezuela hao
been inttusted TO the American Minister at
Caracas Mr.. Bowen who, with admlraple en-
ergy had protected the lives Of British anu
German subjects. The Premier said he unoef-
stood that it was from Venezuela, through the
United States that the suggestion for arnltra-
ton had come On that point he would only say
chr
have thought of the advantages of arbitration
during the long period covered by these con-
troyersies but that on the contrary, she should
have refused all explanation or apology untl
actually engaged in hostilities; then this IDEA
nf arbitration suddenly commended itself TO the
minds of the Venezuelans. The Premier sald
he would say nothing for against this idea.
and repeated that it had not come from the
Government of the United States
Sir William Vernon Harcourt and other mem
bers of the House then criticised the govern
rnent for its action and pressed for additional in
formation Timothy NJ. Healy (NationalisD
declared that the Irish vote in America had
driven the British Government into a hunniliat-
ing alliance with Germany, and warned the gov
ernnent that il was in a perilous position owing
10 the state Of political feeling in the United
States.
In replying to questions. Premier Balfour said
Italy was sending warships to Venezuelan wa
ters but that there was agreement between
Italy and Great Britain there was between
Great Britain and Germany Referring to the
Anglo-German fleets on the Venezuelan coast,
the Premier said there was no question Of SEN
iority. as the two fleets were acting along diff
ferent parts Of the coast and independently Of
each other.
Lord Lansdowne said in the House of Lords
to-day:
We are greatly indebted to the good offices
of the United States Minister at Caracas in
obtaining the release of the British and German
subjects"
Lord Lansdowne said he had official in
formation regarding the reported bombardment
of Porto Cabello
Continuing the Foreign Secretary said that
since the parliamentary paper giving the Venez-
uelan correspondence had been issued the gov
ernment had received from Minister Haggard
g cabled summary of what purports to be
Nenezuela's reply to the British ultinatunn.
Therein Venezuela complains that no reparation
offered by Great Britain for the landing of
the marines or for the conduct of the British
authorities of Trinidad This dispatch closed
with saying Venezuela represented that her
treasury exhausted il impossible for
the government TO meet its debts for the mo-
ment, but directly peace was declared it would
. not be NECESSARY to remind the Venezuelan Gov
eminent OF its obligations.
Lord Lansdowne's statement drawn out
by Earl Spencer, who referred 10 the manner
in which the Foreign Secretary recently ''criti-
cised and made sarcastic and jocular remarks
regarding that small country, Venezuela The
earl said he considered il to be unfortunate
that the Foreign Secretary should have adopted
such tone toward country with which nego-
tiations were pending.
The Under Foreign Secretary. Lord Gran
borne, denied in the House of Commons to-day
that the British commander responsible for
the sinking Of the Venezuelan ships.
TIE Under Secretary said his majesty's gov
eTnment had been informed that the German
commodore found il necessary to sink two
ships. but that Great Britain was not responsit-
bic for this.
Mr. Schwann. Advanced Liberal, then moved
an adjournment Of the House 10 discuss Venez-
uelan matters this evening.