Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-02-03

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difficulties than at any time previous.
The tendency here appears to be toward
allowing the allies month or other
brief period for the priority collection
OF customs.
Howen's Latest Note.
Washington, Feb. 3.-Herbert W.
Bowen. Venezuelan representative in
the negotiations at Washington for 4
settlement Of the claims against that
country, has sent thru the British am
bassador here what amounts practically
to an ultimatum to the allied powers of
garding their insistence for preferential
treatment in the settlement of their
claims against Venezuela. This note
which the British ambassador received
shortly before 8 o'clock last night was
cabled at once to London. copies of 1t
being transmitted 70 the Italian and
German embassies for transmission to
Rome and Berlin. 1t is in reply to the
proposition at a joint conference of the
negotiators yesterday afternoon by the
British ambassador that the allied pow
ers be allowed two thirds of 30 per cent
OF the customs receipts of the ports of
La Guaira and Porto Cabello, and that
the United States and the other claim
ant nations. France, Belgium, Holland,
Denmark, Spain and Norway and
Sweden, content themselves with the
remaining one third of this percentage.
that is 10 per cent Of the receipts of
these two ports.
In the note received by the British
ambassador from Mr.. Bowen last night
the latter refuses point blank the prop
csition for 90 and 10 per cent division
on the ground that to recognize the
principle 1t embodies would be abso-
lutely Offensive to modern civilization
In view of the fact that the negotiators
are agreed on all save the question of
preferential treatment. the ambassador
is informed that Venezuela has decided
to submit that question to The Hague
arbitration tribunal. The acceptance of
this proposition, Venezuela contends,
carries with 1t raising of the block
ade, a general understanding being that
the blockade would end when the nego-
tiators at Washington had reached an
agreement.
It is understood that in refusing this
last proposition submitted by the Brit
ish ambassador on behalf of the allies.
Mr.. Bowen takes the ground that he can
not accept in principle the contention
that blockades and commandments of
forts. and the consequent killing Of
helpless men, women and children. en-
titles any power or alliance of powers
to preferential treatment at the hands
OF civilized nation. 1t is claimed that
should the peace powers and the block
aiding powers agree to such principle.
they would incorporate in the law of
nations doctrine In conflict with the
laws of all modern day ethics. More
over, Venezuela, 1t is stated. regards
the preferential demand of the powers
as Objectionable because 1t would en-
able the continuance OF the triple alli-
ance of Great Britain. Germany and
Italy for period of six years or more.
and in accepting 1t Venezuela would be
encouraging and abetting the mainte-
nance of hostile alliances against her
self. The British ambassador is in
formed In the note that Americans
north and south want peace and not al
liances.
Venezuela has taken special excep-
ton to the action of the British govern
ment In initiating this last proposition
by which Great Britain can hold fast to
Germany and Italy in their alliance.
against Venezuela until the last cent of
the claim is paid. The prediction is
made in her response that surprise and
regret of the keenest sort will be felt
thrlout the Americas when it is known
that Great Britain mas even proposed
continuing her present alliance with
Germany and Italy one moment longer
than is necessary, particularly In view
Of her previous representations to the
effect that she was anxious to end the
Venezuelan dispute and call off the alli-
ance at the earliest possible time.
In suggesting that the question of
preferential be referredsto The Hague "
As understood that Mr.. Bowen does so in
view of the fact that the question is the
only one which remains in dispute.
The allies are advised that Venezuela
d desirous that all the negotiations
shall stand by what has been already
agreed on The British ambassador de-
clined to make public the text of the
note addressed to himas it is inreality
note to the allied powers, but it became
known that it was along the lines here
set forth and concluded with an appeal
for justice to The Hague tribunal re-
garding the contention of the allies for
preferential payment, and an assertion
that such action carried with 1t the
raising of the blockade. Some signifi-
canoe may attach to the note in view of
the fact that before dispatching IT to
the British embassy Mr.. Bowen was IN
conference with Secretary Hay
Whether the allies will accept as hnal
what Mr. Bowen has had to say or will
assume conciliatoiy attitude and ask.
as has been suggested both by Mr.
gowen and by the representative OF the
allies in this city. for preferential treat