Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-12-19

Washington, Dec. 19.--Secretary Hay
he's received a partial response from
Great Britain, Germany and Italy re-
specting the proposal to arbitrate the
Venezuelan difficulties. Great Britain
Is Favorable to arbitration with, proper
safe guards. Germany accepts arbi-
tration in principle, but finds multi
tude of small adjustments to be made
before entering into an agreement.
Italy declares she is favorable to ar
bitration, but Will be bound probably
by the action Of Great Britain and
Germany.
TO secure these results the American
embassies at London, Berlin and Ron.6
have been working energetically to
carry out the instructions of Secretary
HAY to ascertain how the proposal
would be received. AS far as England
is concerned, the safeguards referred
to are believed to relate TO the aues-
ton of guarantee, which Is full Of diff
ficrlties. In this connection, sole con-
sideration is again being given to the
feasibility of assumption of the re-
Eponsibility for any award assessed
against Venezuela by responsible pri-
yate agencies, but the United States
government is determined not to allow
..tseIf to be drawn in to the position
OF guarantor in this case for the
precedent once established might re-
auire the United States to be the finan .
cial baclSer of all South and Central
2 Ia
Germs can be induced to enter the field
the United States government will do
what it can to reduce their risks. Sec
retary Hay, Sir Michael Herbert, Brit
fsh ambassador, and Senator Depew
suspected this phase of the case was
touched upon. altho no confirmation
Gan be had at this time.
The German position presents greater
difficulty. for not only does 1t involve
o demand for apologies. which are
extremely repugnant to Venezuela, but
also presents SO many points requr-
ing adjustment that it is evident many
days or perhaps weeks must elapse be-
fore adjustment can be effected and the
case prepared for arbitration. And the
danger of delay, in the face of the
blockade, which seriously cripples neu-
trail commerce and invites hostile coll
Jisions with Venezuelan's can not be
overestimated. The efforts of the Uni
ted States therefore must be directed
towards Fastening Germany's action On
the arbitration proposal
The Italian position is, Of course, of
less concern than that of the other
allies The Italian ambassador there,
in his intercourse with the state de-
partment, has been extremely moder
ste and considerate of this govern
ment and Secretary Hay is OF the iE:-
preston that he is well disposed to
the condition of any effort of the Uni
ted States to terminate the present
dangerous situation. The French gov
ernment has served notice that without
aEating her claims. payment for which
have been arranged. she also claims
the right to have the claims of French
citizens, which have arisen since ad-
justment above spoken of, considered
by any joint tribunal which Will ad-
equality with those Of other nationa.
This contention is strongly resisted by
some of the allied powers, and is one
of the points which is likely to lead
TO consumption of much time and
which must be disposed of before
final arrangement can be made to ar
bitrate the case.