The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-22
NAY RAISE RLOCKADE ISSUE.
Feeling In Washington That the Crisis Is
Not Vet Over.

WASHINGTON. Dec. ?i.-From what was
said here to-day il is apparent that the
Adminisl ion. Ia spite Of the friendly
way in which Germany and England have
received President Roosevet's arbitr alton
suggest ion. does not believe that the crisis
In the Venezuelan situation has passed.
The character of the blockade declared
yesterday by the Berlin and London Foreign
Offices contains the possibility OF interns-
tional friction which this Government
had hoped would be averted. The German
and British proclamations indicated that
the blockade is, to all int Tents and purposes.
a peace blockade. IL was not preceded or
accompanied by declaration Of war. nor
did it say that war exists bot ween Nene-
zuela and her European q editors.
The United States Government had made
il plain to the creditor Powers ha; it could
not consistently recognize that peace
blockade was applicable to American oil
other neutral commerce, A statement
from the German Chancellor however,
that his Government does not regard itself
as being a; war with Venezuela makes IL
e,i lent that Germany and England wish to
maintain a blockade OF the character that
the United States will decline o recognize.
No responses have been received by the
State Department to its inquiries sent last
week to the Powers engaged In coercive
measures against Venezuela for a definition
Of a peace blockade and statement Of
its applicability to vessels Of American
register. Germany and England will prob
ably evade the issue presented by ignoring
the inquiries, and it is not likely that the
State Department will insist on answers
while there is a prospect OF having the points
Of difference between Venezuela and her
enemies referred for arbitration to Presi-
dent Roosevelt q The Hague tribunal
Responses to the identical commune
cations sent yesterday by Secretary Hay
In behalf Of President Roosevelt to the sue
gestion that the. President undertake the
adjustment Of the present difficulties are
not expected before Tuesday. 1t was
made plain by Mr.. Hay in this commune
cation that the President did not wish to
act Although it was shown with equal
p'ainness that he would do 80 IL the Powers
interested insist, and for this reason the
Administ ration officials are inclined to
hope that England. Germany and Italy, as
a mark OF consideration for the United
States and desire to do what will prove
most acceptable to the President, will
ultimately acquiesce in reference OF the
whole sub Jet matter OF the dispute TO the
permanent international court.
Every officer OF the Administ rat ion, from
the President down, who is concerned
in the negotiations now going on between
is heartily In favor Of having The Hague
tribunal undertake the settlement.
The great difficulty il the awkward ques-
ton Of a guarantee that Venezuela will
comply with the terms OF an award against
her. II IL now said that one great financial
firm, not tho Seligman house, is willing 10
advance TO Venezuela sufficient funds TO
meet the pecunary demands Of the Powers
on no other guarantee than the word OF
this Government that it will use its diplo.
matte Offices to induce Venezuela, should
that course become necessary, not to de-
fault in its payment to those who advance
the necessary loan.
In the meantime Ambassador Tower, at
Berlin; Ambassador Meyer, at Rome, and
Charge dAffaires, White at London, are
endcavoring through oral exchanges with
the Governments to which they are &C.
credited to persuade these Governments
that Venezuela will not dare to become a
dcfsulter in payments directed to be made
by TIE Hague tribunal, The greatest hope
that this view will be accepted lies In the
belief that England and Germany would
be glad 20 abandon their coercive measures
AGAINST the South American republic
II they are able to do 40 without injury
TO their dignity or honor.
Some communications from Europe and
Venezuela In regard to the situation In
the last-named country were received at
the State Department to-day, but the Of
ficials who knew their contents positively
decline to give any information concerning
them. Inquiry at Secretary Hays house
tonight resulted in the statement that Mr.
HAY was not feeling well and could not see
any visitors. and that he had no news to
give to the press.
Prou,o,e good digestion With