Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1902-12-24
ALLIES AGREE TO ARBITRATE
Favorable Replies to President Cas-
tro's Proposal Received.
But THEY WANT GUARANTEES

Germany Insists Upon an Apology From
Vrnezuela-The United states VIII not
Hccome IA Cuarantor For the Republic
-hinistcT Bowen To Act as n Peace
ina%er-A blockade Declared.
Washington, u. c. Responses have
been received from Eerlin ana London
10 the proposal of President Castro.
made through United States Minister
Bowen. to arbitratc the differences
with Venezuela.
Secretary Hay has received partial
responses from the governments of
Great Britain. Germany and Italy re-
Specting the proposal to arbitrate the
Venezuelan difficulties. Great Britain
is favorable to arbitration with proper
safeguards; Germany accepts arbitra-
tion in principle. but finds multitude
of small adjustments To be made be-
fore entering into the agreement: Italv.
rs the junior partner of the allies. de-
clareS that she is favorable to aribtra-
ton but will probably be bound by the
action of the senior partners
TO secure these results the American
embassies at London. Berlin and Rome
have been working encrgtically i'm car
lyinS out the instructions of Secretary
Hay 10 ascertain how the proposal
would he received. SO far rs England
Is concerned. the safeguards referred
10 are believed To relate TO the uucS-
ton of guarantees. which is full of
difficulties.
The German position presents the
greatest difficulties. for not only does
ii involve a demand for apologies.
which are extremely repugnant to Ven
ezuclanS, hut also presents so many
points requiring adjustment that it is
evident that many days. or pcrhaps
weeks. must clapSc before the adjust
mcnt can he effected and the case pre-
pared for arbitration And the danger
or delay in the face of Il blockade
which seriously cripples neutral com
merce and invites hostile collisions
with the Ncnczuclans cannot he over
estimated. The efforts of the United
states. therefore. must be directed to-
ward Fastening Germany's action on
the arbitration proposal
The Italian position is. of course. of
less concern than that of the other al
les The Italian Ambassador here
laS been extremely moderate and con
sideratc. giving Secretary Hay the i'm
preston that he is disposed to second
any effort of the United States to ter
inmate the present dangerous situa-
ton.
Secretary Hay laid before the Cab
met meeting the latest phases of tho
Venezuelan situation as shown by the
correspondence he has had with am
oassadors and the Foreign Offices ut
London. Berlin and Rome, and also ac-
luainted the members with the sub
stance of the verbal exchanges which
1ad taken place with the ambassadors
rom those capitals in Washington.
After thorough discussion of the
question the Cabinet gave its unqual-
fled approval to everything done by
Secretary Hay and TO his plans for the
future so far as they were outlined.
Mr. Bowen the United States Minis
ter at Caracas! was clothed by Presi-
dent Castro Of Venezuela with full
power to effect n settlement With
Great Britain. Germany and Italy.
The allies gave notice of Il war block
ade of the ports of La Guayra. Porto
Nabello, Coro. Maracaibo. Carupan and
Barcelona.
1t is announced that the United
States will not guarantee payment of
claims by Venezuela.
y semi-oilicial announcement now
places the Italian claims against Ven
ezuela ut 81. 00OO00.