The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-12-20

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-Secretary
w Hay has received partial re-
sponses from the governments OF
Great Britain, Germany and Italy re-
specting the proposal to arbitrate the
Venezuelan difficulties.
Great Britain is favorable to arbitra-
ton with proper safeguards; Germany
accepts arbitration in principle. but
finds a multitude of small adjustments
TO be made before entering into the
agreement: Italy. as the junior partner
Of the allies. declares that she is ia
vorable to arbitration. but will be
bound probably by the action of the
senior parties.
England's Attitude.
To secure these results the American
embassies at London, Berlin and Rome
have been working eneFgeJically to
carry out the instructions of Secretary
Hay to ascertain how the proposal
would be received. AS far as England
IS concerned. the safeguards referred
to are believed 10 relate TO the ques-
ton of guarantee which is full of diff
ficuity. In this connection. as indi-
Gated in these dispatches yesterday,
some consideration is again being given
TO the feasibility OF the assumption Of
responsibility for any award assessed
against Venezuela by responsible pri-
'[vate agencies. but the United States
government is determined not to allow
itself to be drawn into the position
of a guarantor in this case for the prec-
edent once established. might require
the United States to become the imam
cial hacker of all South and Central
America. However. if private concerns
can be induced to enter the field the
United States government will do what
70, hafr r-ic a
tHay. Sir Michael Herbert, the British
ambassador, and Senator Depew were
In conference today, and ii is suspected
that this phase of the case was touched
upor, although no confirmation can be
had at this time.
The German Position.
The German position presents the
greatest difficulties, for not only does
1t involve a demand for apologies which
are extremely repugnant to Venezuela,
but also presents so many points re-
curing adjustment that it is evident
that many days or perhaps weeks must
elapse before the adjustment can be
effected and the case prepared for ar
bitration. And the danger of the delay
in the face of a blockade which serious
" cripples neutral commerce and in
vites hostile collisions with the Ven
ezueIans cannot De overestimated. The
efforts of the United States, therefore,
must be directed toward Fastening Ger
many's action on the arbitration pro-
posai
The italian position is, of course, of
less concern than that of the other al
lies. The Italian ambassador here has
been extremely moderate and cOnsid-
crate. giving Secretary Hay the inn
preston that he is well disposed to sec
ond any effort of the United States TO
terminate the present dangerous stu
alton.
Claims of France.
The French government has served
, notice that without abating her claims
the payment for which have been ar
ranged. she also claims the right 10
have the claims OF French citizens
which have arisen since the adjustment
above spoken of. considered by the
Joint tribunal which viii adjust the
Venezuelan debts on a basis of equal
ity 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 20 lead
TO the contamination of much time. and
which must be disposed of before a
final arrangement can be made to arbi-
trate the case.
Washington Views.
The official day closed without fur
ttieT oeNeiopfnenl mere respecting the
Venezuelan complications. The status
Of the arbitration proposition. on which
every one waits, was that with a will
ingness to accept such a solution In
principle, not one of the allies was
ready 10 submit unreservedly 10 arbi.
tration; in each case there were reser-
vations or conditions insisted upon Re.
specting the method of arbitration. Il
it should come tc that of adjustment
n is noted that the feeling is GROWING