The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-23
HAS NOT ACCEPTED TASK
Will Do So If the Powers
 Strongly Insist.
Has Not Yet Received Formally or Officially a Request That He Bring About Settlement
 of the Trouble.

Washington, Dec. 2S:-President Roose- welt 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, request from the European powers that he act as arbitrator of the dispute. These statements are made on the highest au- thority.
 In an informal manner the President has been notified that the European pow CTS intimately concerned in the present South American difficulty desire that he should undertake the responsibility Of acting as arbitrator of the points at issue between them and Venezuela. Thus far they, merely have been taking sound ings" with view. probably of ascertain ing how he would receive formal proner to act as arbitrator.
 The President as soon as he received the first intimation that he was desired to be arbitrator of the Venezuela contro- Versy expressed emphaticaly his judg- ment 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 8 strong presentation or his reasons for the view he holds. No response of a formal nature to these rep resentations has ben received.
 Confers With Hay.
 The President and Secretary Hay had a long conference today after the formers return from his Virginia trip. They care fully went over the situation as 1t had developed since Saturday. but 1t is under stood that nothing has arisen during the past forty-eight hours to warrant the President in changing his opinion as to the undesirability of his acceptance of the position as arbitrator. So Tar aS can bs learned no specific reasons have been advanced by the European powers for obiecting to a reference of the Vene- zuela questions to the arbitration of The Hague tribunal. It Is held by the ad- ministration that the tribunal at The Hague was constituted to arbitrate just such controversies as that wmcn mas arisen between Venezuela and the powers and that 1t would be desirable from every point that the present dispute should go to that tribunal for adjudication. How strong the objections which Great brl- tain, Germany and Italy have to refer ence to the Venezuelan dih1culty to The Hague tribunal is not known to the Ad- min stration at this time. Even the nature of the objections, if there be any, Ia not known The negotiations looking to the selection of an arbitrator have not progressed sufficiently yet to develop such objections as the powers may have.
 It Will Be Arbitratad.
 The acceptance by the powers Of the principle of arbitration as applied to the Venezuelan question is a matter Of great gratification to the President and his cabinet That all the powers have tnu- mated too, that they would prefer the President should arbitrate the present dispute is taken as a notable compliment to the President personally and to his administration. It Is the hope, Of both the President and his advisors. however that while there is precedent for his ac- ceptance 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 1t Is recognized by the President closest advisers and by the President himself that some unpleasant possibilities might attend his performance or the duties of arbitrator of the pending Vene' zuelan difficulty. his friends assert that he will shirk no responsibility that he may deem it his duty to undertake, but VIII accept if the powers should insist on H. though he Is very reluctant to do so'