The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-23
Allies Again Ask Him to
Act as Arbitrator.
WILL If THERE'S NO OTHER WAY.
Acceptance Would Not Commit
This Government.


nal Declaration Of War Issued at
Trinidad-we VIII Accept Terms OF the
blockade venezuelan Rebel Leader
says He viii Keep Up the Fight.
WASHINGTON Dec % The President has
evidently been placed in difficult position
by the expressed wish of the European
Powers which are coercng Venezuela. that
he act az the sole arbitrator of their differ
ences with the South American Republic
They came back at him to-day with polite
in-is,ence that he serve in this capacity,
and showed that they were distinctly I'm.
favorable to the proposal that the Venezue-
Ian dispute be referred to the permanent
arbitration tribunal at The Hague.
This reiterated view of England and
Germany, with an acquiescence by Italy Ia
their suggestion, Was brought to the atten-
ton of the State Department this morning
in kilograms from the American embassies
in London. Berlin and Rome. They were
verbally expressed responses to Secretary
Hays message of Saturday, repeating the
Presidents desire that The Hague tribunal
undertake settlement and explaining that
Mr.. Roosevelt was strongly disinclined to
serve az arbitrator, and would do so only
if no other peaceable solution of the imbro.
Clio were possible 1t was stated that formal
communications from the three creditor
Powers, inviting the judicial mediation Of
Mr.. Roosevelt. would be forwarded.
THE PRESIDENT HEsITArKs.
Soon after the President got back to
town from his Virginia trip, Secretary Hay
laid the dispatches before him and they
had a conference on the subject. 1t Is un-
derstood that no response has been made
by this Government for the reason that
the President has not determined what
his course will be. The probability IL
that an answer will not be communicated
to the three Powers until their formal In
vitation to the President has been received
The President is very much averse to
undertaking to settle the momentous Ques.
lions involved in the Venezuelan dispute.
He believes that it's adjustment rightly
belongs to The Hague tribunal, for the
reason that all the proprieties Of the case
call for q reference to this highest court
Of arbitration, which was created espe-
cially for such purposes and has the ma
chinery, as well as the ability, to dispose
Of II in manner that should be satisfac-
tory to all unprejudiced nations and per-
sons He wishes also to avoid all ap-
pearance Of interestedness on the part Of
this Government in the dispute, which
might be given 10 some nations by his
agreement to act as arbitrator, and he
thinks this feeling on his part should be
respected. If no other course is avail
able to secure a settlement Of the unfort.
innate state Of affairs in Ven ezuela the
President will have to become the arbi-
TRAITOR.
CAsTRos ACCEPTANCE.
England, Germany and Italy have, in
Venezuela, strong supporter Of their
suggestion that Mr.. Roosevelt act as the
arbter. A despatch was received at the
State Department this morning from Her
bert w. Bowen, the United States Minister
at Caracas, in which he indicated that Presi-
dent Castro had hailed with delight the wish
Of the allies that President Roosevelt con-
sent to serve.
Castro pledged himself in advance to the
acceptance Of Mr.. Roosevelt. and no doubt
appears to remain that unanimous agree
ment OH the part Of the nations interestci
will follow Immediately an indication On
his part that he will undertake to arbitra,,
all the questions at issue.
HOW THE SITUATION AROSE.
The series Of events which have led TO
the present interesting quandary OF the
President began with the action Of President
Castro last Thursday in comforting on
Minister Bowen full powers OF settlement
Of NeneZuela's troubles with the allies.
Notice Of this action was received at the
State Department on the following day.
II was transmitted to the American En-
bassies at London, Berlin and Rome with
instructions to suggest informally to tho
Foreign Offices in those capitals that Presi-
dent Roosevelt would be pleased II the
dispute we're referred to The Hague Court
of Arbitration.
England and Germany, but not Italy.
replied with a counter suggestion that
President Roosevelt undertake to effect
a settlement. In response to this the
President, through Secretary Hay, ex-
pressed the hope that his original sugges.
ton in regard to The Hague tribunal might
be adopted, and while showing a strong
Discrimination to serve. indicated that he
might do SO II the Powers insisted. The
communications received to-day from the
embassies at the capitals Of the allies,
Rome included. contained the reiteration
of the wish that the President consent to
serve and the intimation that q formal
invitation would DO sent to him.
WOULDN'T COMMIT THIS GOVERNMENT.
International legal authorities appear
to agree that an official Of neutral nation
who undertakes to arbitrate differences
between other nations does not morally,
or in any other way. commit his Govern
ment to an enforcement OF his award.
That is the position Of the United States in
I his case.
Some years ago Herbert W. Bowen. the
present American Minister to Venezuela,