The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-09
Trying to Frame Satisfactory Agree
ments for Submis issiOn of the Nene-
zuelan Dispute to The Hague.
TOO MUCH ASKED BY ITALY
NO OBJECTIONABLE PHRASES IN
THE BRITISH DOCUMENT.
Some of the UnaIlied Claimant Powers
to Share VenexueIa's Expense Be-
fore the Arbitration Court.

WASHINGTON, Feb. S.-The representa-
tives of the allies here are busily engaged
in the preparation of the protocols which
they are to sign with Mr.. Bowen, vene-
zuela's representative. for reference to The
Hague of the question whether the block
aiding powers shall be entitled to preferen-
tial treatment in the settlement of their
claims. The blockade will be raised when
the protocols are signed. They are in con-
slant communication with their govern
ments this subject. and are anxious as
far as possible to cover every detail which
should be comprised in an instrument of
this character. Mr.. Bowen also is anxious
that the protocols shall be identical so
far as this may be practicable, and he is
directing his efforts to that end, and also
that they shall be signed on the same day.
Minister Bowen was in communication
with the English and the Italian ambassa-
dors and the German minister to-day. He
saw Sir Michael Herbert at the latters
home, the ambassador still having a disa-
greeable cold. From the instructions he
has received Ambassador Herbert has pre-
pared the draft of a protocol which he
submitted to Minister Bowen. 1t was the
first of the three protocols which have been
prepared and the manner i'm which it was
drawn was very satisfactory to Venezue-
las representative. Nothing seriously OBJ
jectionable had been inserted in its provi-
sions, and the minister found only one
or two places where he felt called on to
suggest any changes. He is convinced
the British ambassador Is making every
effort to bring the vexatious matter to a
close and to arrange protocol which will
be mutually satisfactory.
The Italian ambassador, Signor Mayor
a r -
ments on two occasions to-day with ref
erence to the terms OF the protocol, and
Baron Speck Won Sternberg is working
diligently on the German protocol. He saw
Mr.. Bowen to-day for conference regard
ing some feature of the instrument.
Minister Bowen continues optimistic of
the blockade He is hopeful no perplexing
or vexatious problems may intervene now
that the matter has progressed so far, and
that 1t will not be long before the whole
question is settled in it's primary stages,
the raising OF the blockade, arbitration of
the question of the preferential treatment
and protocols signed for the settlement of
the claims themselves, including those of
the allied and of the unallied powers.
The British protocol provides for the ref
erence of the contention of the allies for
preferential treatment to The Hague for
settlement, for the payment by Venezuela
to Great Britain $500 cash and for the
immediate raising of the blockade. The
matter of the adjudication of the claims
and the collection of the 80 per cent. out
of which they are to be paid has been left
for the second protocol.
Italy. it has been learned, wishes to have
inserted I'm her protocol an article providing
for change in her treaty of amity with
Venezuela so as to include the Favored
nation clause such the other powers
possess. Mr. Bowen has explained that
while he is willing to his influence to
secure this he can do nothing more in the
protocol than recommend il, as the matter
is entirely irrelevant TO the present con-
troversy. There are also other provisions
in the Italian protocol which do not meet
the approval of Mr.. Bowen, and the Italian
ambassador has cabled to Rome for per-
mission to withdraw them.
Regarding the German protocol little is
known except that il is along the general
lines of the other two. Several changes
have been made in IL since yesterday and
other changes are likely. 1t is understood
that the German protocol will be some
what shorter and more concise than the
British and probably will not contain more
that eight articles. 1t will provide for an
initial payment of the same amount as
those of Italy and Great Britain. The last
ment in cash. Germany and Italy being
content to receive theirs thirty days after
the signing of the protocols.
The fact developed to-day that some OF
! the unallied claimant powers are consider
ing the matter of sharing the expense
which Venezuela will be put to I'm carry
ing her to The Hague, since a de-
cision would affect their claims.