The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-12-27

Washington, Dec. 22.-Germany and
Great Britain have united in request
ing President Roosevelt to act as arbi-
traitor in the Venezuelan controversy.
IL Is believed that the president, al
though reluctantly, will accept the re-
sponsibility, if no other solution pre-
sents itself. President Roosevelt on
Friday suggested to the governments
at London and Berlin that the contro-
Versy be submitted to the information
al tribunal at The Hague. In reply to
TINS suggestion the powers proposed
that the president himself arbitrate
the issues. The president has been as
sured that Germany and Great Britain
are in perfect accord in their desire
that he shall take charge of the whole
matter.
Roosevelt Is Reluctant.
President Roosevelt does not wish to
act as arbitrator in this dispute, for,
as such, it is felt here. he would be at
once judge, jury and constable, and
would be under the moral obligation
TO execute his own Judgment. The
president feels that reference to The
. Hague tribunal would vastly strength
en- the cause of arbitration. Still.
rather than see the present dispute
proceed to extremes, it is probabl
the president will reluctantly assume
the duties of arbitrator. 1t is fully
realized that any decision rendered by
him in that capacity would be sure to
bring him the enmity of one or the
other of the parties O the controversy,
and this fact was pointed out to the
president early in the week by lead
ing senator who had been called into
consultation.
Has Not Decided.
Nevertheless, to prevent bloodshed
and the destruction Of property and in.
reference with great commercial in
'terests that would result in loss, it is
belived that the president would as
sumo the charge, providing his own
view cannot prevail.
Public Men Anxious.
The situation is the cause of great
anxiety to public men here, and there
is good ground for the belief that if
the president does consent to act as
arbitrator it will be against the strong
~ expressed opinions of his secretary
of state, John Hay. In reality the
president practically agreed to act as
arbitrator when he sent word to the
European countries concerned saying
that he was unwilling to act as arbi-
orator, but would do so if they insist
ed upon it. They have insisted upon
it, and the understanding is that when
the president returns to Washington
he will be confronted with the actual
necessity of redeeming the implied
pledge he made Friday.
The anxiety which is felt here arises
from the belief that if the president
assumes to act as arbitrator lie will be
forced to provide means ofeXecuting
his own decree.
An Awkward Responsibility.
From the tone OF the dispatches re-
ceived by diplomats here it seems
probable that Great Britain and Ger
many have announced that they will
withdraw their forces and abandon
their alleged peaceful blockade pro-
vided President Roosevelt consents to
act as arbitrator. If he does not con-
sent, they say there will be nothing
left for them to do but to seize the
custom houses and administer the rev.
enues for their own benefit. This puts
an awkward responsibility upon the
president, because if he declines to act
;c4, ,,1,n IF I,
Venezuela continues indefinitely, and
besides that there is always the pos
sibility of a clash resulting in the loss
of life.
A Diplomatic Blunder.
On the other hand, many of the pres
ident's warmest friends and admirers
believe it would be great diplomatic
a hand in the Venezuelan difficulty in
any way except to prevent, by force if
necessary, any violation of the Mon
roe doctrine.
1t is pointed out-and the presi-
dent will be bombarded with such
statements--that he cannot fail to
decide in favor of the European gov
ernments, only the amount of the ac-
tual claims being in dispute. Presi-
dent Castro has admitted that he
owes the money, or some of it, but
pleads that he is unable to pay on
account of the drain of the recent
revolution, which came dangerously
near landing him outside the breast
works.
The real question at issue, there
fore, is how and when Venezuela will
be compelled to pay it's just debts.
President Roosevelt as an arbitra tor
would have to dicide this question.
Whatever his decision may be, Vene-
zuela would certainly plead inability
to comply with the mandate of the
court. and there:pon the president
would be forced to issue an execution