The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-23
The President Still Averse.
(By the Associated Press.)


Washington, D. c., Dec 22-President
Roosevelt has not accepted the position
of arbitrator of the controversy in which
the republic of Venezuela is involved with
Great Britain, Germany and Italy. In
fact, when the official day closed, he had
not received, formally or officially a.
request from the European powers that
he act as arbitrator of the dispute. These
statements are made On high authority.
1t can be said that, in response to the
suggestions he has received, the Presi-
dent, from the first intimation he had that
he was desired as arbitrator of the
Venezuelan difficulty has expressed en-
phatically his judgment that the matters
to be arbitrated should be referred to
The Hague tribunal His view of the
suggestions made has been conveyed to
the European powers together with
strong proposition of his reasons for the
views he holds. To this latest phase of
the situation. no response of a formal
nature has been received.
The President and Secretary Hay had
a long conference today after the for
mer's return from his Virginia trip.
They went over carefully the situation
as it had developed since Saturday but
it is understood that nothing has arisen
during the past forty-eight hours to
svarrant the President in changing his
opinion as to the undesirablity of his
acceptance of the position of arbitrator.
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
Cabinet. That all the powers have init
mated, too, that they would prefer that
the President should arbitrate the pres
ent dispute than that it should be re-
ferred to The Hague tribunal is taken as
notable compliment to the President
personally and to his administration. 1t
is the hope of both the President and his
advisers however, that, while there is
precedent for his acceptance of the post
of arbitrator, the powers will consent
to a reference to the controverted mat
ters in the Venezuelan question to the
tribunal at The Hague.
The United States is awaiting the re-
ception of formal answers from the allied
government to the Presidents last sug-
gestion that the Venezuelan dispute be
referred to The Hague. So far these re-
sponses have not come to hand but it is
pretty we'll understood that they will hold
out for the arbitration of President
hOoSeVclC nlmSeII. olSUS pOlhI " lhC
Presidents ultimate acceptance OF the
trust though nothing positive is yet
known on this point. The State Depart
ment has learned that President Castro
would welcome the selection of Presi-
dent Roosevelt as arbitrator, and as all
the parties interested are united, the
pressure will be hard to resist. Opinion
varies as to the termination of the block
ade of the Venezuelan ports. In some
quarters it is assumed that if President
Roosevelt accepts the dutv of arbitrator,
the allies will call off the blockade at
once.
On the other hand it is pointed out
that custom requires the terms of the
arbitration to be rretty accurately de-
fined and this will consume some time
pending which the blockade will continue.
1t is quite evident from the develop
ments here that Germany is the origina-
tor and promoter of the suggestion that
President Roosevelt act as arbitrator.
Great Britain and Italv. it is believed.
are inclined toward arbitration by the
Hague tribunal, but of course they would
not indicate any preference officially in
the matter if President Roosevelt gave
the faintest intimation of accepting the
charge. Indeed officially the allies
stand on record as supporting the Ger
man lead in this matter.