The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-17
OF the troubles in Venezuela with reference
to their relatio to the United States.

STEPS 10 BRIN0 ABOUT ARBITRATION.
Upon reaching the State Department
from the Cabinet room, Secretary OF state
Hay immediately set about the preparation
of Instructions 10 the United State, Anba--
sailors in London and Berlin TO request an
immediate answer OF the Government 10
winch theN arr accredited to the arbitration
Proposal submitted TO them bv President
Castro, through the United States Minister
"a: aracas ,.l!u the STATE Department.
This was Tie first step IA tie determine
ton OF the President and the Calumet 10 en-
deavor TO BRING about an amcabl- ADJUST
nent Of the present difficulty through an
arbitration tribunal The PROPOSAL Of Presi-
urnt Castro was not Endorsed 10y tins Gov
er'lment. but il will he lear to Germany ana
England from the character of the request
that the United States will be gru,tied If the
proposal L. az copied.
Mr. Hay suspended the preparation OF
these despat ches long enough to receive
Sgnor Edmondo Mayor DIES Planches.
tho Italian Ami issador, who came 10
notify him that the Government Of Italy
had determined II Join with Germany
and England in the application OF coercive
measures toward Venezuela. The state
ment Of the Italian Ambassador caused
Mr. Hay To send message to the United
states Ambassador at Rome directing him
- bring President Iastro's arbitration
porposal to the attention OF the Italian
Government and to request that an answer
be given a. soon as possible.
The QUESTION or BLOCKADE
As a result of inquiry the Government
has ascer, aimed hat the seizure Of Nenezue-
Ian war vessels at La GuayTa and the bonn
parchment of the forts at Puerto Cabeno
were undert aiken by the allies prior 10 a
declarat ion Of blockade OF either place
In fact nett her Germany nor England has
yet declared that a blockade exists at any
Venezuelan port and the authorities mere
llx Ly .,ffi
received from abroad, that the allies cannot
agree Oh plan Of action in this respect.
The Government intends To adhere To its
decision not to recognize peace blockade,
or "A blockade preceding declaration OF
war. as applicable to American ships
should the Red ID Line steamer Caracas
reach La Guayra before Germany and
England declare a blockade. there will
probably be no attempt to prevent her
from en,ering, and the seizure issue pre-
scented 10y the attitude Of the United States
would thus he avoided.
II was said by an official 10 day that
England in spite of her contrary position
in the past would not dispute the contention
of this Government that peace blockade
did not apply To neutral vessels. ihis
official, who II IN position to Know, de-
clined TO make any explanation of his state.
ments. When asked II Germany would
follow England's example, his only answer
was a shrug of the shoulders.
II is the opinion in official circles that
Germany is endeavoring To induce England
to declare war on Venezuela. Should this
be done the blockade OF Venezuelan ports
would be recognized by the United States,
if effectively maintained.
SUSPICION OF GERMANY
II is no longer a secret that the Admin
istration is suspicious of Germany's atti-
tude toward the United States. A strong
feeling exists among officials that the i'm
pcrial Government, despite professions to
the contrary, Is not friendly disposed toward
the Monroe Doctrin and may seize the
present occasion to attempt its violation
with full realization of the sequences.
Some officials argue that with England
as an ally Germany hopes that an attempt
to acquire territory on this hemisphere
will not result in The hostile declaration
come if Germany were acting alone.
The President and his advisers place
reliance, however, in the promise Of Eng
land to observe the doctrine, and are par
ticularly gratihed over the declaration OF
Lord lansdowne yesterday to that effect.
At the request of the Government OF
Holland, Secretary Hay has directed Min
lister Bowen to assume charge of Dutch
interests in Venezuela. The Dutch Min
lister to VeneIueia il i'll in Caracas and
while his Government Is not engaged in
any quarrel with that country. II fears
that the feeling against the Germans and
English residents may result In outbreak
which may be directed also against sub
iects OF Holland.