Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-17
ITALY'S ULTIMATUM.

Signor de Riva, the italian Minister
presented Italy's ultinatum to Venezueis
at o'clock this afternoon.
Senior de Riva had been instructed by
his government to present to the govern
ment OF Venezuela Italy's demand to'
the immediate payment OF soiz.tVo e
meet the Italian claims arising IRON
former revolutions, in the form OF ar
ultirnatum. AS it is known that the
Venezuelan Government cannot pay the
amount demanded in the communications
the minister's instructions include orders
! for him to leave Caracas at once Inc
ultimatum from Italy is couched IN
| stronger terms than those used III the
/ ultimatunls presented to Venezuela by
| Great Britain and Germany. Italy WIZ
take part in future demonstrations
| against Venezuela.
WASHINGTON D. c., December To-
| The Italian Ambassador to-day called at
(! the State Department. and advised Secre-
| tary Hay that Italy had Joined the allies
! in the operations against Venezuela he
/ requested that Mr. Bowen assume charge
| Of the Italian interests in Venezuela and
/ the Secretary granted this request, SUP
| ject to the approval of Venezuela. Italy
enters the combination on the same plane
as to abstention from territorial seizures
/ as Germany and Great Britain.
Failing to hear from Europe as TO MIR.
| Bowen's proposal to arbitrate the Vene-
! zuelan troubles. Secretary Hay to-day
| addressed cablegrams to the United
| States ambassad doris at London, Berlin,
| and Rome. instructing them to call the
matter again to the attention OF the gov
ernments to which they are accredited.
| with view to securing an early eS-
preston of opinion from them.
ITALY'S CASE.
The Italian Ambassador explained &c
Secretary Hay that it had been the hope
of the Rome Government at first to reach
q satisfactory settlement of her claims
against Venezuela. such as Franfe had
secured. TO this end polite but firm
note was addressed to the Caracas For
cign Office, after the ultinatums of Ger
many and Great Britain had been sent
Pending a reply to this note. the Italian
authorities did not resort to drastic nea-
sures. When the reply came. it was
found to be not only rejection of all
Italy's demands. but its tone Who'll
~ Gispleasing. and it was therefore
necessary for italy to follow suit with
Germany and Great Britain. and join
in the allied naval demonstration
So far as Secretary Hays proposal TO
the Powers of arbitration is concerned. it
is learned from an official source that in
view of the fact that the allied powers
nave agreed 10 assist edctl OlfeE IN tNe
pressing of their claims against Venezue-
la, there is the feeling that the reply of
Germany, Great Britain, and Italy should
be unanimous.
MONROE DOCTRINE SAFE.
Before leaving this morning. the Ital-
ian Ambassador gave Secretary Hay
every assurance that his government
wished to act strictly in accordance with
President Roosevelt's Interpretation OF
Hy,1 49, ~ FONT
ing features of the days developments
TO the official mind was the receipt of an
intimation that so far as Great Britain
was concerned, she was disposed to ac
cept the view of the State Department,
here as TO the limitations of a peaceful
blockade That is TO say. the disposi-
ton Is TO avoid interference with neu-
trail merchant shipping. where its move
ments do not give actual aid to the Vene-
zuelan Government
CABINET DISCUSSES CRISIS
WASHINGTON, Dec 1b.-President
Roosevelt and his cabinet had one OF the
most extended and important meetings
to-day that had been held this fall For
efgc affairs practically consumed the en-
tire time of the session. The Venezuelan
situation was discussed in all IT'S phases
From an authoritative source informa-
tiCn was obtained that there would be no
the part OF this government
with respect to questions involving Ven
ezuela or any of the other governments OF !
South or Central America, as laid down
by the President in his message to con-
gress.
Every detail of the development in the
Venezuelan situation is being scrutinized
with the utmost care.
1t can be stated authoritatively that no
apprehension enters the minds of any of |
the administration officials that serious |
trouble growing out OF it will accrue to this |
1t is believed that both Great |
Britain and Germany will act within the |
arrangement which originally was pre- |
sented TO this government. and TO which |
the United States passiyely assenteG.
FURTHER COERCION POSSIBLE.
LONDON. December 16.-Reptying 10 q |
question in the House OF Lords to-day
Lord 34anSdowne the foreign secretary
saia that if the seizure Of the Venezuelan |
gunboats did not produce the desired af- |
feet further coeTciye measures would be |
employed. The matter had been consid- |
cred in consultation with Germany. and /
it had been decide. 10 resort to a blockade
Of the ports. II vas not intended 10 land |
q British force. and still less 10 occupy |
territory.
Replying to & question in the House OF |
Commons to-day, Under Foreigu-Secre- |
tary Cranborne SAID no attempt had been |
made by Great Britain to refer the dis /
oute with Venezuela to arbitration |
GERMANY AGREEABLE.
BERLIN. December 16.-Secretary Hays /
note excepting American ships from GER |
tain restrictions of the VenezNlan block |
1de. is favorahy received by the German |
government. The foreign office treats the |
matter as not raising any essential diff !
Guilty, and as being within precedent I
since Germany made a similar reservation !
in the Cretan blockade. The precise sta
Lus of American vessels under the block I
ade will be defined in an official noti1ica- /
ton.
ARBITRATION DOUBTFUL.
LONDON, December 16.-Judsing from /
statements given out by the foreign office, I
the Venezuelan situation tonight does I
not appear to be any nearer q settlement I
Up to late hour tonight, no suggestion
has been made that Great Britain could /
eventually see its way to submitting It's (
claims to arbitration, and the foreign I
office points out that VeneZuela's offer TO T
arbitrate is extremely vague. The foreign +
office claims that some matters are i'm I
possible to arbitrate. instancing the disre-
spectful treatment OF Mr.. Haggard, Brit
sh minister to Venezuela. and all OF his
representations.
1t is known that the foreign Office has {
made inquiry as to whether the United
States would be willing to guarantee the /
{