The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-12-13
HAY'SINSTRUCTIONS.
----------
He Told Bowen TO Use His Good Of.
fees TO Secure Arbitration.
THE 0UTCOMEIS DOUBTFUL
And Not Much Hope Is Entertained
of an Early Settlement.
SEVERAL NATIONS ARE INVOLVED.
Relations Between the Countries Are
Those of Real War.
NATIONS ARE INVOLVED
FRANCE IS LOOMING UP AS A FACTOR
Other Powers Can Not Permit Great
Britain and Germany to Assume Alb
solute Control of the Situation.

Washington, December ia cablegram
received at the state department today
from Minister Bowen at Caracas, states
that the Venezuelan government has re
queSted him to propose to Great Britain
and Germany that the difficulties arising
out Of the claims for alleged damages aud
injuries to British and German subjects
during the civil war be submitted to ar
bitration.
In conformity with the understanding al
ready reached with representatives Of the
British and German governments here, this
proposition Of President Castro will he laid
before those governments, the state depart
ment acting merely as n channel of com
muncatlon. Not much hope is entertained
of the favorable reception Of tho PROPOSE
ton, as It Is felt the difficulty has pro-
crossed too far for a settlement by tho
peaceful method Of arbitration. The re-
prisals made by the venezuelans for the
destruction of their navy In the seizure Of
British ships and the arrest Of subjects.
practically have developed the relations
between the countries into those OF real
war, although technically the principals
prefer to designate II as something less In
doing so, Great Britain and Germany arc
simply following the course taken during
the war with China, when Notwithstanding
the fact that the allied feet battered down
Taku and captured and distributed num,
her of Chinese naval vessels, no declarn
ton Of war was forthcoming.
Up to noon today no communications on
tie Venezuelan situation had been received
NJ the state department from BERLIN or
London Secretary Hay went Immediately
to the cabinet meeting after the receipt Of
Minister Rowcn's cablcgram. which ac-
counts for the fact that the proposition 10
arbtrate had not been communicated to the
German and British ambassadors. In the
absence Of advlces tho Officials were not
disposed to comment on the likelihood Of
President Castro's proposition being &C
certed,
When Secretary Hay returned from the
cahlnet the embassies were placed In pos
session Of the news from Venezuela and It
vns Immediately cabled to Berlin and Lon
don. 1t Is probable that replies WIN be
received overnight aud will he sent by the
| state department to Minister Bowen, VINO
| VIII inform tho Venezuelan president.
| It is certain the state department is will
| ing to 60 any reasonable length to solve the
difficulty IN Venezuela, IN any manner that
shall he honorable and satisfactory to all
| parties Therefore Secretary Hay today
repied to Mr. Bowen's cablcgram, nuthoriz
| Ing him. in his discretion, TO use his good
| offices to secure arbitration He was how
ever, made 20 understand that In the ar
btratlon, II that should follow, he would
represent not the government of the United
state. but that of Venezuela at President
! Castros request
1t is realized here that the outcome is
doubtful and the way Is beset with diff
6culties. If the claims against Venezuela
were only those of Great Britain and Ger
many the adjustment might be easier, but
France Italy, the United States and per
hnps other nations also have Claims and
they can not accept any arrangement which
Great Britain and Germany might force on
venezuela, which would deprive them Of
their right of reclamation