The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-23

Washington, December 1S.-President
Castro has clothed Minister Bowen with
powers to effect a settlement with
Great Britain, Germany and Italy. Mr..
Bowen simply awaits the consent of
the state department to assume this
task, assuming that the nations named
are willing that he should undertake
this work. It is believed that the criti-
cal phase of the Venezuelan difficulty
Is passed.
Whether the consent of the govern
ments mentioned can be obtained. will,
1t is believed here depend entirely upon
the sufficiency of any guarantee that
can be given for the faithful discharge
by President Castro of any obligations
he may assume as the result of Mr..
Bowen's efforts. The allies feel that
they must be assured against the con-
sequences of another revolution and
the reputation by the president who
may ollow President Castro in his uI-
dertakings.
The effort to induce the United
States government to act as ~guarantor,
1T is safe to say, will not succeed, and
1t is beginning to appear that there is
likely to be a mixed commission ap-
pointed to receive all Venezuelan Gus
toms and setting apart a certain por-
ton for the maintenance Of the Vene-
zuelan government, disburse the re-
mainder among the powers until their
obligations are met.
The government of France has now
entefed the field as an active party in
interest in the Venezuelan trouble. The
French government has through its
ambassadors n charges and ministers
served notice upon the governments OF
Great Britain and 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-eminelce of the French claims. The
French government has assurances
from the other governments that any
arrangements made would provide for
the security of the French interests in
the Venezuelan customs.
Interview With President Castro.
Caracas, December 1S.-Early this
morning the correspondent here of the
Associated Press saw President Castro
and questioned him regarding the re-
port published in the United States
that the Anglo-German ultimatum had
been accepted by Venezuela. The pres
ident became furious with rage and
said there was no truth il the report.
He added:
THE acceptance of an ultimatum
cannot be coupled with arbitration. Be-
sides the Anglo-American ultimatum
is not, properly speaking, an ultima
tum."
When asked if it was true that Vene-
Zuela does not propose to determine on
any steps while the proposition for ar
bitration that the legation Of the Unit
ed States was charged to present to
Great Britain and Germany remains
unanswered"
Lopez Baralt, Venezuelan minister of
foreign affairs, has transmitted to
United States Minister Bowen a docu-
ment signed by President Castro as
constitutional president of the republic
and counter signed by himself as min
lister of foreign affairs in which Mr..
Bowen is recognized as the only rep
resentative of Venezuela in the matter
of effecting a settlement of the present
difficulty.
According TO the terms of this docu-
pent. Mr.. Bowen may act without re-
sEction and he is to use all means
possible to protect the interests OF
Venezuela. The document was subject
ed to correction last night n again
this morning before delivery. The state
department at Washington has been
notified Of the transmission of this In
s%trunent to Mr.. Bowen.
Events here are dependent upon the
receipt, through the state department
of the answers of the governments OF
Great Britain, Germany n Italy to
the proposal of arbitration advanced by
Venezuela. these swe are expected
tomorrow. Should they be favorable
the Venezuelan government strongly
desires tina a conference of the ambas-
sailors of Great Britain, Germany and
italy to the United States then be held
in Washington and Mr.. Bowen leave
r. r,,a;r, Dooopahar Ord for thp limit
ed States on the Rec D. Line steamer
Caracas, which is due to reach New
York December 10Th. Mr. Bowen VII
meet the ambassadors il Washington
No meeting to discuss terms OF settle
ment is 20 be held on Venezuelan soil
Germany Expects an Apology from
Venezuela.
Berlin. December 1S.-Aside from tht
financial claims mentioned In her WI
, matum, Germany expects some form o.
apology from Venezuela for the diplo'
matte insults which the foreign Office
l saws are more serious and more gros:
than those of which Great Britain
complains. The foreign office official:
> point out that Premier Balfour's re
mark yesterday evening in the British
house of m about German!
having other than financial claims mus
be understood as applying to diplomats
reparation for these insults and not &
a material indemnity, like money o
territory.
The foreign Office is again calling at
tention to the suspicious in the Unite
States lest Germans effect a landing II
Venezuela. 1t says a reputation 0
such suspicious ought to be perceived !
the slender forces at the disposition o
Germany. There are scarcely thre
hundred men who could be spared fror
the squadron. not a sufficient numpe
to take LaGuaira. let alone form an eS
petition into the interior.
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