Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-19
To Question of Arbitration
With Venezuela.
ANSWER Is PACIFIC
CASTRO WILL BE IGNORED IN
NEGOTIATIONS.
Germany's Reply is Ready and Will
Be Sent in Few
Days.

LONDON, December 19.-Great Britain
has sent reply to the United States In
regard to the suggestion that the Venezue-
Ian question should be submitted to arbi-
tration. The tenor of the reply, 1t Is ex-
pected here, will tend to bring about some
arrangement for a satisfactory solution,
while thoroughly safeguarding the inter-
ests of the powers concerned.
The note to Reuters Telegram Company,
announcing that Great Britain had sent a
reply to the United States adds
"The statements issuing from Caracas to
the effect that President Castro has en-
powered Minister Bowen to act as the rep
resentative of Venezuela are regarded in
London as open to question. Any such ac-
tion on the part OF President Castro would
be considered wholly beside the mark. The
powers concerned will deal solely with the
United States in the matter of arbitration.
The government of President Castro will
not be consulted in any form, not even as
to the terms on which arbitration might be
acceptable to the powers"
America and the Blockade.
In printed reply. made public today. to
the recent question in parliament of Gibson
Bowles, conservative. Premier Balfour says
no inttmation has been received from the
government OF the United States that It
terferred with in the event of a blockade
of the Venezuelan coast. The objections to
the blockade which 1t is proposed to estab
lish have been carefully considered. They
can not however be altogether removed, as
some of them are inherent to that particu
lar class of naval operations.
Mr.. Bowles also asked Whether, in view
Of the destruction by the Germans of Two
gunboats and the consequent impoSSibilfty
of holding them as pledges the government
proposes to continue joint action with Ger
many The premier replied in the afftr:na-
tive.
Germany's Answer Ready.
BERLIN, December 19.-Germany's an
swer to Venezuela's proposition for arbitra-
tion is ready and will be sent to the United
States government in a day or two. The
officials here maintain absolute silence re-
gardng the character of the answer. The
foreign office has no information to the
effect that President Castro has bestowed
on Minister Bowen full power to represent
Venezuela In the settlement of the existing
difficulties, but such a step toward a solu-
tion would be received with pleasure.
France Asks Equal Consideration.
PARIS, December 19.-The foreign office
here desires to have 1t understood that the
note sent to the French charge d'affaires
at Caracas does not ask Venezuela to give
preferential treatment to French claims,
but only treatment equal to that which the
other powers may receive through their re-
course to force. This applies only to claims
which have arisen since 1899, previous
claims having been submitted to arbitra-
ton. Concerning recent claims France first
offered to permit the Venezuelan courts to
pass upon them but since Germany and
Great Britain expect to secure preference
by the adoption of forcible collection, the
French charge d'affaires has now been ord
cred to inform Venezuela that France ex-
poets the same advantages in the adjust
meQt Of claims Venezuela grants to Ger
many and Great Britain. This Is not in
tended as a cOercive measure. but only to
secure for France equal treatment with the
other powers.
Later in the day It was ascertained that
the French government had received de-
tailed advices showing the American posi-
tion to be favorable to the acceptance Of
arbitration and opposing pacific blockade.
1t was said by officials here that the Ameri-
can attitude toward a pacific blockade was
the same as that asserted by Great Britain
when France sought TO close the ports Of
FormOsa against the rice trade. French
policy since then had been firmly opposed
TO pacific blockades. Although such a pol
Icy had not yet been formally announced
II was applicable to Venezuela
dispatch to the Liberte from The Hague
says the government of Holland has dis
patched several warships to the Island of
Curacao to protect Dutch subjects and to
observe events. The dispatch adds that 1t
Is possible Holland will Join in the action
OF the allied powers against Venezuela.
Venezuela's Neighbors Friendly
LIMA, Peru, December ia number of
army officers here propose cabling their
names to the president of Venezuela offer
ing their services in the case Of the situa-
tion becoming more complicated.
QUAYAQUIL, Ecuador December 10
There large parade In the streets OF
Quito last night as a manifestation of SYM
patty with Venezuela.
President Castro has replied as follows to
President Plaza's message:
Profound gratitude toward the govern
ment and noble people OF Ecuador. The
national honor is saved, although the right
OF force reigns."
Italy Receives Proposal
ROME. December 19.-Ambassador Meyer
visited Foreign Minister Prinetti at the
foreign office today and communicated to
him cable message from Secretary Hay
saying the secretary was disposed to con-
sent to the investment OF Minister Bowen
with full powers to settle the Venezuelan
controversy II agreeable TO Germany, Great
Britain and Italy.
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