The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20
GERMANY HARDEST OF
THE ALLIES TO SATISFY
Emperor Williams Government Seems
TO Want an Apology as Well as
Money-DifficuIties Arise Over
Enuland's Position.

washington, december BIN NAAS
day closed without further developments
here respecting the Venezuelan comphca-
tions. The status of the arbitration prop
osition on which every one waits, was
that while there seems to be willingness
to accept such a solution In principle, no
one of the allies were ready to submit
unreservedly to arbitration; in each case
there were reservations or conditions in
sisted upon. Respecting the method OF
arbitration, if it should come to that form
of adjustment, it is noted that the feel
ing is growing out of The Hague tribunal
should undertake the case. Mr. Bowen,
it is reported wishes to come to WASH
ington in order to personally effect an
adjustment with the resident ambassadors
of the allies but whne the state de-
partment makes no statement upon the
point 1t is believed that 1t does not re-
gard this plan with favor. 1t is pointed
out here, In connection with the project
to refer the matter to The Hague tri-
bunal, that in some phases the disputes
will not admit of arbitration. Such is the
case for instance where attacks of Brit
ish and German subjects and the Ger
man legation at Caracas, and arrests OF
consular officers have made the Venezue-
Ian offense equivalent to attacks on the
national honor of the allies, and as such
to be atoned for only by an ample apol-
ogy The Hague tribunal could not arbi-
trate such issues, but 1t is pointed out at
the state department that the claims are
divisible and that If President Castro
chooses to render the necessary apologies
the remaining questions can properly go
to The Hague, 1t is believed that the
United States government inclines to the
view that there is disposition to insist
needlessly on guarantees for the payment
hv Venezuela for any Judgment tha-
might be rendered against her by the
arbitration. It believes that the force OF
enlightened public opinion would abso-
lutely insure a settlement of any Judg-
ment rendered by the august tribunal and
that President Castro would not be sus-
tained by a single American country in
defaulting
All Would Be Willing.
Secretary Hay has received partial re-
sponses from the governments of Great
Britain, Germany and Italy respecting
the proposal to arbitrate the Venezuelan
difficulties. Great Britain Is favorable to
arbitration with proper Safeguards;
Germany accepts arbitration in principle,
but finds a multitude of small ADJUST
ments to be made before entering into
the agreements, Italy, as the junior part
ner of allies, declares that she is favor
able to arbitration, but will be bound
probably by the action of senior partners.
To secure these results the American
ambassaies at London, Berlin and Rome
have been working energetically to carry
out the instructions of Secretary Hay to
ascertain how the proposal would be re-
ceived
Can Make the Guarantee.
AS far as England is concerned the
safeguards referred to are believed to
relate to the question of guarantee,
which is full of difficulties AS was also
indicated in these dispatches yesterday,
some feasibility of the assumption of re-
sponsbility for any award assessed
against Venezuela by responsible private
agencies, but the United States govern
ment is determined not to allow itself to
be drawn into the position of a guaran-
teer in this case for the precedent once
established might require the United
States to become the financial hacker of
all South and Central America. However,
If private concerns be induced to enter
the field the United States will do what
II can to reduce their risks. Secretary
Hay, Sir Michael Herbert, the British
ambassador and Senator Depew were in
conference today and 1t was suspected
that this phase of the case was dwelt
upon but no confirmation can be had at
this time
The German position presents the
greatest difficulties for not only does 1t
involve a demand for apologies, which is
extremely repugnant to Venezuela, but
also presents so many points requiring
adjustment that it is evident that many
days or perhaps weeks must elapse be-
fore the adjustment can be effected, and.
the case prepared for arbitration. And
the danger of delay in the face of block
ade which seriously cripples neutral COM
merce and invites hostile collision with
the Venezuelans cannot be overestimated.
The efforts of the United States, there
fore, must be directed toward Fastening
Germany's action on the arbitration pro-
posal.
Germany Wants Apology.
The state department has learned that,
as reported in the Berlin dispatches,
mere money payment will not meet Ger
many's desires. Count Quadt, the Ger
man charge, had a long interview with
Secretary Hay today touching Venezuela,
and the fact is now apparent that while
money will satisfy Great Britain and
Italy Germany must have an apology.
The difference between her case and that
Of the other powers is that the German
legation at Caracas was attacked, its
windows broken, the minister's sick wife
terrorized and the German national honor
otherwise touched in a manner that
cannot be healed by money.
Touching the question of a guarantee
of any obligations assumed by Castro as
a result of Mr.. Bowens good offices, it
is suggested that the United States. be-
ing without power to assume directly
any responsibility for the execution OF
Castros pledges it is still possible for
the state department to give assurances
to any parties who might be induced to
produce money to pay the judgments
against Castro, that when the time comes
for repayment, the United states would
exercise Its good office to see that the
obligations were kept. 1t is distinctly
stated. however, that no pledges will be