Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1902-12-17
THE ALLIES DIFFER.
England Likely to Accept Offer
of Arbitration, But Ger
many is Opposed.
ITALY JOINS IN THE BLOCKADE.
Secretary Hay is Opposed to the
Blockade Plan and VIII Endesvor
to secure Free Entey for United
States ships-still Watching.

London, Dec. 16.--Great Britain has
modified her attitude toward Vene-
zuela. Lord Cranborne, In a speech
in the house of commons yesterday.
stated that Venezuelas offer of arbi-
tration, strongly endorsed by the
United States, was under considera-
ton by the cabinet. Although the
under secretary gave no intimation
as to what action would be taken, 1t
is believed in official circles that it
will be accepted by England, if not
by Germany. The prospect of an ex.
pensive and proftless campaign in
Venezuela enervating climate, with
no possibility of recompense in the
way of additional territory, is not at
tractive to Englishmen, many of
whom are wearing mourning and pay
ing taxes yet as a consequence of the
subjugation of the two republics in
South Africa.
Lord Cranborne, in his address, also
disclaimed, in behalf of the govern
ment. any responsibility for the sink
.
Italy VIII Participate.
Berlin, Dec. 16.-The foreign office
informed the Associated Press yester.
day that Italy will participate in the
blockade by agreement with the al
lies, and that a portion of the coast
proceedings against Venezuela thus
become in every respect tripartite.
Later it became known that the for
eign office here had received Secre-
tary Hays communication concerning
the Venezuelan blockade. Its terms
were not disclosed, but 1t was under
stood to express the hope that the
blockade would be a peaceful one.
Venezuela's proposition through
Minister Bowen to submit the ques-
lions of dispute to arbitration has not
been received here. The foreign Of
fee says this will not delay measures
previously decided upon. The Off
cials here do not indicate what will
be the final decision in the arbitra.
ton proposition, but it was apparently
made too late to affect the general
situation.
Look to United States.
Caracas, Dec. 16.--Inaction reigns
in government circles here. The Off
Gals do not know what to do and are
depending entirely upon the United
States to assist them.
A movement is on foot here. headed
by prominent doctors and lawyers, to
request President Castro to resign
and to ask Vice President Ramon
Alala to assume the presidency and
form cabinet without party tenden-
cies. 1t is also proposed to summon
congress- to appoint a temporary pres
ident and arrange the questions in
dispute in manner satisfactory to
all concerned.
General Hernandez, "El Mocho,'
who has just been released from
prison at Maracaibo, is expected at
Caracas today. His partisans are
very active and further trouble Is ap-
pretended.
Minister Bowen, at the request Of
the Dutch minister, DR.. Van Leyden,
who is sick at Curacao, has taken
charge of the Dutch interests here.
The German cruiser Vineta is going
to visit Margarita, an island In the
Caribbean sea. belonging to Vene-
zuela, 80 miles north of Cumana.
At 5 O'Clock Sunday afternoon Brit
ish marines blew up the subterranean
prison cells of Castle Libertador at
Puerto Cabella with dynamite. They
also burned all the wooden buildings
surrounding the castle and carried
away everything that could be trans.
ported.
The Venezuelan government war
ship Miranda escaped the vigilance of
the German cruisers Fake and Pan.
Their, which were searching for her.
and arrived at Maracaibo Sunday.
State of Anxiety.
Washington, Dec. 16.-The South
and Central American diplomatic rep
resentatives here are in state Of
anxiety that finds expression in fire.
quent calls at the state department
Tor information. No less than six
ministers were among Secretary
Hays visitors yesterday, although
this was not diplomatic reception day.
Secretary Hay was in conference at
the White House for short time with
the president yesterday regarding the
Venezuelan affairs. Senator Cullom
and Representative Hit, the heads of
the two committees on foreign affairs
OF congress, also saw the president.
but 1t was stated that little attention
was given to Venezuela.
Among the senators and represent
atives who have discussed the vene-
zuelan question with President Roose-
welt the situation is regarded as seri-
Gus, but 1t is not generally believed
likely that the United States will be-
come involved in the controversy.
Directed at Fortifications.
Minister Bowen has confirmed the
press reports to the effect that the
guns of the allied feet, which bonn
barded Puerto Cabello were directed
entirely at The Notifications and not
at the town. Regretable as 1t was.
this statement relieves the affair Of
the first suspicion that 1T constituted