Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-22

such cases, confided to one of the thor
oughly efficient and trained assistant sec
retaries of the Department of State.
Not a Precedent.
If Mr.. Roosevelt becomes arbitrator of
the differences between the powers and
Venezuela 1t will not be the first time a
President of the United States has acted in
such a capacity.
There are several precedents for his ac-
ceptance. In 1880 a convention was signed
by Chile and Colombia, in which 1t was
set forth that the President Of the United
States should be named as arbitrator Of
differences between them If no other ar
bitrator could be agreed upon. Other set
tlement was made.
In 1894 President Cleveland acted as ar
bitrator of dispute between Italy and Co.
lombia in regard to the debts Of Signor
Cerutti. He decided against Cerutt, who
was a subject Of Italy.
Other Officials as Arbiters.
Other officials of the United States gov
ernment have also acted as arbitrators in
international controversies There were
three such instances in 1874. In that year
United States Minister Partridge and the
Italian envoy to Brazil were the arbitrators
of British claims against Brazil and United
States Minister Logan adjusted, as sole ar
bitrator, two international disputes, one be-
tween Bolivia and Chile and the other be-
tween Chile and Peru.
Other American diplomatic representa-
tiveS who have acted as arbitratOrs are Mr..
Scruggs. in claims of Great Britain against
Colombia; Mr.. Strobel, in a French claim
against Chile, and Mr.. Beaupre, in British
claim against Honduras.
No Responsibility.
Although presidents and other heads of
nations have acted as arbitrators, no de-
cision Of that kind has ever implied any re-
sponsibility of the nation for the payment
of the award. For instance, King Oscar of
Sweden recently decided the Samoan arbi-
tral against the United States. While
the decision was not pleasing to the United
States, there was no thought of resisting it.
Statement Of Germany's Attitude.
AT the German embassy denial, emphatic
and authoritative, is given to the reports in
circulation that Germany is anxious to
acquire Margarita Island, and will work to
that end in any settlement that may be
agreed upon. Germany, it is said, has
never for an instant had designs on Mar
garita Island, or any other Venezuelan ter
ritory. Her effort throughout has been
merely to obtain satisfaction for the claims
pending against the Caracas government
and for indignities committed against Ger
man citizens. That position was made plain
" TIC otdtc 1Icpdi tHleHl Uy tue
ambassador, Mr.. Won Holleben, last year.
and the Washington authorities accepted
then, and accept now in good faith, assur-
ances made by the Berlin government that
no encroachment on the Monroe doctrine
was intended or threatened by the German
governments scheme for collecting her
claims from Venezuela.
Proposal Originated by Germany.
1t is quite evident from the developments
here that Germany is the originator and
promoter Of The suggestion that President
Roosevelt act as arbitrator. Great Britain
and Italy, 1t is believed, incline toward
arbitration by The Hague tribunal, but, OF
course, they would not indicate any prefer
ence officially in the matter If President
Roosevelt gave the least intimation Of ac-
cepting the charge. Indeed, officially, the
allies stand on record as supporting the
German lead in this matter.
New Representative Of Italy.
Advices have been received here from
Rome that the former Italian minister at
Caracas. Mr.. Riva, will return to Italy at
once, and that Baron Alotti, who was
formerly attached to the Italian embassy
here, will remain on board the italian war
ship Giovanni Bausan, and in the event OF
a renewal of diplomatic negotiations be-
tween Italy and Venezuela will become
charge d'affaires. Secretary Hay was ln-
formed OF that fact today by Signor Mayor
ies Planches the Italian amba ssador.
Baron Aliotti made many friends during his
stay in Washington and Is regarded as
thoroughly competent for his new charge.