Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-24

Ian situation. Views FOR and against the
Presidents acceptance Of the invitation
to arbitrate were discussed. Pending the
receipt Of the invitations. it Is stated
that the President declines to commit
himself as to his course.
Secretary Hay brought to the meeting
practically nothing new relating to the
situation. No response had been received
10 the Presidents original suggestion to
ence of the Venezuelan controversy to the
arbitration Of The Hague tribunal and no
formal request had been received that the
President act as arbitrator Of the diff
Guilty. That such request would be re-
ceived formally and officially is now prac-
tically assured It is known that the
President and all of the members of his
Cabinet at first preferred that the whole
question should be referred TO The Hague
tribunal
Board of Arbitrators.
It is understood that the Presidents
templates the appointment Of Board OF
Arbitrators It is stated that the crucial
point to come before the arbitration is
the famous 'tCalvo doctrine This doc
trine. which, was laid down by the great
est Of tin-Anerican international law
yers, and for many years has been regard
ed as beyond question by all Of the Latin
American republics, denies the right OF
any nation TO intervene diplonatically in
behalf of one Of Its subjects, where the
courts Of the country are open to his
application for justice Thus. Venezuela
has asserted that all of these claimants,
British, German, Itas.ar, and French.
might have gone before the Venezuelan
courts, and II their causes had been just.
and SO decided by the courts. the govern
ment would have paid the judgments. The
objection to this view is that no account
is taken OF miscarriage Of justice and OF
racial antipathies.
Cabinet Views.
It is known that now some members ot
the Cabinet are opposed TO referring the
matter to The Hague tribunal for these
reasons: In the first place. they have
no desire to submit the Monroe doctrine
TO the arbitrament Of any non-American
tribunal not even excepting the august
and eminently fair tribunal of The Hague.
They very much prefer that if this doc
tril3e is to be the subject of arbitration,
If II is to be even brought In incidentally,
American influences shall pass upon II.
Another reason that aninates these cab
met officers in their inclination, toward
acceptance. is their conviction that an
inordinate length Of time will be con-
sumed if the issue is taken before The
Hague tribunal. This would lenSthen
the period of the blockade. with danger Of
actual hostilities.
Britain,s Position.
LONDON. December 2S.-An important
and lengthy communication dealing with
the British view OF arbitration of the
Venezuelan dispute, was made by Foreign
Secretary Lansdcwne to the United States
charge daffaires, Mr.. White, this eve
ming. It was transmitted Immediately to
Washington by Mr. White.
Lord Lansdowne's communication con-
tains no final decision. further than
lengthy statement of what is expected by
Great Britain.
Notifications have been received at the
Foreign Office here from Germany and
Italy that the announcements OF their
blockade OF the Venezuelan coast have
been gazetted
Ded D Line Steamer Stopped.
CARACAS VENEZUELA, December %.
The Red D Line steamer Caracas safely
entered the harbor at LaGuayra at
o'clock this morning. The mail. freight and
pa ssengers of the Caracas were landed at
10 o'clock.
The captain of the British cruiser Trt-
bune notified the commander Of the Ca
Icr Ct, at y
Cuayra she must leave the harbcr every
night This measure is regarded as veEa-
tious and causes great expense to the
owners OF the steamer
The decision to admit the Caracas was
not arrived at without some difficulty,
due. it is claimed here. TO the lack OF
unity Of action on the part OF the allies.
The commander OF the British cruiser
Tribune Yesterday notified Mr.. Shucls. the
consul of Great Britain, that the Caracas
could enter the port Of LaGuayra to-day.
The Tribune then sailed from LaGuayra.
leaving the Italian cruiser GioVann!
Bausan IN charge Of the blockade. The
trst act Of the commander of the Bausan
was to notify the agents Of the Red .
Line that the Caracas would not be allow
ed to land her passengers. mails or
freiglts.
Protests Effective.
Mr.. Boulton. of Boulton & Co., agents
Of the line and all the foreign merchants.
entered protests against tie italian COM
rander's decision.
Meanwhile Lieutenant Commander Diehl
of the Marietta, after all hours con-
ference with the Italian commander,
succeeded in convincing him he was wrong
in his interpretation Of the blockade de-
crees and finally the captain of the Gio-
yanni Eausan assured Lieuteaant-Com-
u,ander Diehl that the Caracas would be
allowed to enter the port Of LaGuayra
without hindrance.
The German warship which passed La
Guayra Sunday towing two large schoon-
crs, was the Panther. She captured the
vessels near Maracaibo.
The German cruiser Gazele arrived at
LaGuayra yesterday morning and sailed
again at noon.
The Bausan and the Tribune captured
the following prizes yesterday: The
schooner Caster. loaded with salt, from
Araya; the schooner Maria Lulse. with
= q rsa