The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-23
And In Firm I'm His Belief that The
Hague Tribunal should settle the
Venezuelan Dispute.
EFFECT OF THE BLOCKADE
EMBARGO ON SHIPPING Is INJURING
UNITED STATES TRADE.
Declaration of War Against yene-
xueIa Issued by the British Gov
ernor of Trinidad.


Roosevelt has not accepted the position OF
arbitrator of the Venezuelan controversy.
In fact. when the official day closed he had
not received. formally or officially. re-
quest from the European powers that he
act as arbitrator of the dispute. These
statements are made on the highest au-
thority. A dispatch from Berlin, however.
states that formal request has been placed
I'm the hands OF the United States ambas-
sadors at Berlin and London.
In an informal manner the President has
been notified that the European powers
intimately concerned in the present South
American difficulty desire that he should
undertake the responsibility of acting as ar
bitrator OF the points at issue between them
and Venezuela. Thus far they merely have
been taking 'soundings" with view prob
ably OF ascertainlng how he would eeceive
a formal proffer to act as arbitrator. The
President as soon as he received the first
intimation that he was desired to be ar
bitrator OF the Venezuelan controversy, ex-
pressed emphatically his Judgment that the
matters TO be arbitrated should be re-
ferred to The Hague tribunal His view
OF the suggestions made has been conveyed
TO the European powers. together with a
strong presentation of the reasons for his
views. No response OF formal nature TO
these representations has been received.
The President and Secretary Hay had
long conference after the formers return
from his Virginia trip. They carefully
went over the situation as IL had developed
since Saturday. but IL is understood that
nothing has arisen during the past forty
eight hours to warrant the President In
changing his opinion as TO the undesirabil-
ity of his acceptance of the position OF ar
bitrator So far as can be learned no spe-
cific reasons have been advanced by the
European powers for objecting to a refer
ence OF the Venezuelan questions to the ar
bitration OF The Hague, tribunal 1t is held
by the administration that the tribunal at
The Hague was constituted to arbitrate
just such controversies as that which has
arisen between Venezuela and the powers
and that IL would be desirable from every
view point that the present dispute should
go to that tribunal for adjudication. How
strong the objections which Great Britain,
Germany and Italy have to a reference
OF the Venezuelan difficulty to The Hague
tribunal Is not known to the administra-
tion at this time. and even the nature of
the objections. II there be any. is not
known. The negotiations looking to the
selection OF an arbitrator have not pro-
gressed sufficiently yet to develop such OBJ
Jections as the powers may have.
The acceptance by the powers of the
principle OF arbitration as applied to the
Venezuelan question Is a matter of great
qualification to the President and his Cab
met. That all the powers have intimated
too. that they would prefer the President
should arbitrate the present DISPUTE Is
taken as a notable compliment to the Presi-
dent personally and TO his administration.
1t Is the hope OF both the President and his
advisors: however, that while there is pre-
cedent for his acceptance OF the post of
arbitrator the powers will consent TO a
reference of the controverted matters in
the Venezuelan question TO the tribunal at
The Hague.
While IL is recognized by the .Presi-
dents closest advisors and by the President
himself. that some unpleasant possibilities
might attend his performance OF the duties
OF arbitrator OF the pending Venezuelan
shirk no responsibility that he may deem
II his duty to undertake. but will accept
II the powers should insist on IL though
he is very reluctant to do so.
The following cabiegram has been re-
ceived from Commander Diehl, OF the
Marietta which now lies at Laguayra The
message comes from Laguayra via Haiti,
miral established effective blockade from
and after Dec. 20 OF Lagu lyra Carenero.
Guanta- Cumana, Carupano. and the
from the United States and the West In.
dies before the date of notification allowed
steamers ten days, sailing vessels twenty
days. Other ports. steamers twenty sails
forty days. vessels I'm blockaded ports fif-
teen days. Full text II desired
Lieutenant Marbury Johnston, the officer
detailed by Admiral Dewey TO go 20 the
advised the Navy Department of his ar
rival there. He will be stationed at the
American legation as assistant to the min
lister. When Lieutenant Johnston arrived
saturday night the city was quiet. though
the anti-foreign feeling was stin intense