The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-21
tor In the dispute between italy and Column
bia over the Cerruti claim

tor In the dispute between italy and Column
bia over the Cerru,i claim.
Other officials OF the United States Gov
eminent have also acted a. arbi,rators in
International controversies There were
three such instances In 1874 IN that wear
United States Minister Partridge and the
Italian Envoy 10 Brazil were the arbi-
traitors Of British claims against Brazil,
and United States Minister Logan ad ju,teJ.
as sole arbitrator. two International dis
putes, one between Bolivia and Chile and
the other between Chile and Peru
Other American diplomatic representa-
tives who have acted IL arbtrators are
Mr.. Scruggs. ~ claims Of Great Britain
against Colombia; NJ Strobcl. ia a French
claim against Chile. and Mr. Beaupre, In
British claim AGAINST Honduras
WOULD NOT rSvoLvE THE GOVERNMENT
That the President of H." United States
in assuming the functions cf arbitrator in
the Europcan-N Venezuelan controversy
would commit this Government either to
the physical or the moral obligation 10
compel the country against which his de-
cision was rendered to observe the terms
u the award /. not admitted 10y 'hc Ad-
minis'ra'ion In fact. It il maintained that
he acting merely in personal capacity.
and his services would not involve the
Government, Of the United States, either
directly or indirectly, in the arbitration
proceedings.
The general opinion u hvernment circles
IS that England and Germany have made
great stroke Of diplomacy in asking the
President to undertake the settlement
- ,I.,ir nit vapar,nlo for in IL
pointed out, not only is their wish a very
nattering tribute TO the honesty and fair
ness of Mr. Roosevelt. but it indicates
that they are so oaiisfed of the justice of
the claims tina, they are willing to have
them passed upot. uy tho Chief Executive
of country which is. TO certain extent.
party in interest
STILL DEMAND GUARANTEES
The suggestion of England and Germany
that the President become the arbitrator
should not be underst God as meaning that
they have ag ~eed to arbitrate. To make
possible that desirable end Venezuela must
comply with certain demanded conditions
before the creditor nations can be induced
TO show more len lent policy, Germany
wants n PREDATORY guarantee that Vene-
zuela will pay, at the appointed time, the
amounts of indemnity which may he
awarded by the arbitrator. and she also
wants an apology while England is not
willing to enter into this method Of settle
ment unless she feels assured that there
will not be a recurrence Of her trouble
with the South American republic.
The United States Government il en-
deavoring to persuade the creditor Powers
that their strongest guarantee lies in the
moral Effects the fear Of being outlawed
and discredited among the civilized ma
tons II she failed TO comply with the de-
cision Of an arbitration tribunal, would
have on Venezuela. Should this view be
accepted by the Powers. an advance guar
antee that Venezuela would pay. would.
OF course. be unnecessary.
THE BLOCKADE.
Henry White, Charge d'Ahaires OF the
United States In London. telegraphed to
the State Department to-day the text of
the British declaration Of blockade. 1t
II identical with the text telegraphed by
the London correspondent Of The Sun.
Mr.. White preceded II with this statement
Supplement to London Gdsstte to-day
contains the following notice: There Ia
nothing in the declaration to show whether
the blockade Is peace or a war blockade
ihis SONcIuiIlout Will ucClAuo 70 TeCO&-
nize that the blockade Ia applicable to
American or to other neutral shipping II Il |
lie peaceable blockade. The Government
holds that to become effective against the |
commerce Of neutrals the blockade must |
be declared by the creditor P,wers to be !
war blockade, In other words. they must
announce that they have declared war |
against Venezuela or that a state OF war |
exists between them and that country
There Is no intention on the part Of the |
United States, however, to make an issue
on this point il the blockade declared to-day
10 OF the pacific kind until the occasion !
arises through an attempt to prohibit any
American merchant vessel from entering |
a Venezuelan port. Under the terms Of |
the announcement In the London Gazette, |
the Red D Line steamship Caracas, which !
left New York last Saturday and should |
reach La Guayra by Tuesday, will be per-
mitted to 60 to her moorings at the vene-
zuelan port and discharge passengers and |
cargo.