The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-27
Allies Will Arbitrate If
Venezuela Apologies
FOR ATTACK ON The LEGATIONS
That Is One Condition Made
by England and G 'rmany.

wake Any serious ObJection-Secre.
tar, Iia! suggests 10 the Powers tina,
the Preliminary Protocol Be sirnet
In WashingtOn-I.Ontion Comment.
WASHINGTON, Dec 28-Barrinp unfore-
seen obstacles and the display OF an un-
compromising spirit by President Castro.
the questions al issue between Venezuela
and the three allied European Powers will
be referred for adjudication to the ~ ma.
nent tribunal of arbitration at The Ha que
Germany England and Italy have promised
Informally to accept this mode Of settle
ment, provided certain conditions are COM
Piled with by Venezuela, while that South
american Government has expressed its
willingness to have The Hague court try
the case
This satisfactory statement Of affairs
was brought about through the efforts
of President Roosevelt and Secretary Hay.
WHO, despite tho dscouragng reception
al first given by the allies to their suggest ion
that The Hague tribunal undertake The set
Element, persisted in their endeavor.
Up to Christmas eve il was rega rded here
as certain that President Roosevelt would
be obliged to assume the role of arbitrator.
The allies had met lis suggestion as TO The
Hague, with n request that he act as the
sole judge Of tho controversy, and every
indication pointed to the necessity Of his
acquiescence in order TO end the present
critical situation. But when, on Dec. "a.
the formal invitation OF the allies TO the
President was received. it was found that
the three European countries did not ex-
press unfriendiness toward the wish of
this Government, and gave a courteous
indication that they were not seeking 70
force Mr.. Roosevelt into an embarrassing
position.
As has been told in THE Sun, the Presi.
dent and Secretary Hay took advantage
of the opening thus afforded to reterate
their reasons why The Hague court was
the proper body to adjust the pending
dispute. The responses Of the allies were
on Secretary Hays desk this morning
1t was agreed in substance Ivy all three
that The Hague curt should act il Castro
would comply with conditions which the
allies regarded a. outside the sphere Of
arbitration
While the State DEPARTMENT takes the
ground that it would b, discourteous to
the allies to furnish for publication any
details of their notes OF acceptance, il is
possible to say that the present disposition
Of the European Powers contcmplates as
the initial step toward arbitration the
arrangement OF a preliminary protocol in
which Venezuela will agree to certain con-
ditions upon which the Powers are
inclined to insist. II Is believed that
one OF these is an apology to Germany
and England for the ATTACKS on the Ger
man and British legations in Caracas.
When Venezuela complies with these con-
di'ions the blockade will be raised and a
second protocol. in which all the part les
In interest will agree 10 submit their differ.
ences to The Hague court, and defining the
scope Of tho court, jurisdiction, will I've
signed. This Government will not take
part in these prelminaries except. poss-
bly,. through the association of Minister
Bowen with the Venezuelan negoti ators
but it will undNrt axe 10 I've Informed Of the
character and scope Of the second protocol
n a prccaution against the submission
to The Ragus court Of any quest ion which
could in any way affec, the Monroe Doc
trinC. No danger on that score is appre-
hended, however, not only because the
International Peace Conference, which gave
life to The Hague tribunal specifically
affirmed it's adherence to the traditional
American policy in regard to the acquisi-
ton Of territory in this hemisphere by
non-American nations but for the reason
that there has been shown disposition
on the part of the allies to avoid offending
the United States in this important par
ticular.
One interesting feature Of tho diplomatic
exchanges on the subject of arbit ration
is that President Castro has appa rently
been more opposed than the European
Powers TO the PROPOSE Of the United States
that The Hague court bt Q me the arbiter
While only too willing to accept arbitration.
Castro. showed in response to an inquiry
from this Government, that he greatly
preferred that MIR. Roosevelt undertake
the settlement Of tho question He has
now, however, agreed TO "A reference to the
International tribunal A great deal de-
ponds. to insure the success OF tho Presi-
dents and Mr. Hays efforts, on the dispo-
sition Of Castro in regard to the preliminary
conditions upon which the allies insist.
Still the officials here regard il as certain
that Castro will not show stubborn spirit
when he is made to realize that the Powers
will not make any more concessions. His
apology and compliance with the other
conditions are confidently expected after a
little preliminary furry of rhetorical pro-
test from Caracas.
Secretary Hay has already undertaken
the diplomatic steps necessary to secure
the raising of the blockade and the resump-
ton OF diplomatic relations between Vene-
zuela and the Powers. The absence Of the
representatives of England, Germany and
Italy from Caracas IN an embarrassment,
which will tend to delay settlement. and
Mr. Hay has sought to overcome II by
suggesting to the European allies that they
instruct their Ambassadors In Washington
10 arrange the preliminary protocol In this
capital with representative of Venezuela.
None Of the interested European nations
will permit its diplomatic agent. who re-
Gently Withdrew from Caracas, to return
there while President Castro declines to
agree to the terms OF the ultimatums pre-
sented to him upon the severance OF diplo-