The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-02-06
BOWEN ISSUES WHAT
EQUALS ULTIMATUM
Declines in VenezueIa's Behalf
the Proposal Of Triple
Alliance.
GIVES NO PREFERENCE
5ussests That on This, the Only Fea.
ture OF Difference Still Standing,
Tie Hague Court Be APP
pealed To.

Washington, Feb. 4.-He-bert w
Bowen, N~enezuela's representative In
the negotiations at Washington tor a
settlement OF the claims against that
country, d sent through the British
ambassador here what amounts prac-
ticaily to an ultimatum to the allied
powers OF Great Britain, Germany and
Italy regarding their insistence for the
preferential treatment in the settlement
OF their claims against Venezuela.
This note, which the British arnbassa-
dor received shortly before 8 O'Clock,
was cabled at once to London, copies OF
1t being Transmitted to the Italian and
German embassies for transmission to
Rome and Berlin. 1t is in reply to the
proposition submitted at a joint con-
ference of the negotiations yesterday
afternoon by the British ambassador
that the allied powers be allowed two
thirds of 80 per cent OF the customs re-
ceipts of the ports OF La Guayra and
Porto Cabello and that the United States
and other claimant nations. France,
Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Spain and
Norway and sweden, content hem
selves with the remaining one-third of
this precentage--that is, 10 per cent of
the receipts OF these two ports.
In the note received by the British
ambassador from Bowen last night the
latter refuses point blank the PROPOSE
tor for a 20 and 10 per cent division,
on the ground that to recognize the
principle 1t embodies would be abso-
iutely offensive to modern civilization.
VIII Submit to Hague Court.
In view of the fact that the negotia-
tors are agreed on all ave the question
of preferential treatment, the alnbassa-
dor is informed hat Venezuela has de-
cided TO submit that question to The
Hague arbitration tribunal. The ac-
ceptance OF this proposition, Venezuela
contends, carries with 1t a raising of
the blockade, the general understand
ing being that the blockade would end
when the n~egotiators at Washington
had reached an agreement.
Venezuela has taken special excep-
ton to the action of the British gov
eminent In initiating this last PROPOSE
ton by which Great Britain can hold
fast to Germany and Italy in their al
lance against Venezuela until the last
cent of the claim is paid. The predic-
ton is made N her response that sur
prise and regret of the keenest sort will
be felt throughout the Americas when
1t is known that Great Britain has even
proposed continuing her present alli-
ance with Germany and Italy one mo-
ment longer than is necessary, par
ticularly in view of her previous rep
reservations to the effect tina she was
anxious to end the Venezuelan dispute
and call off the alliance at the earliest
possible time.
Some significance may attach to the
note in view of the fact that before dis
patching it to the British embassy Mr..
was in conference with Secre-
tary Hay. The position taken by Mr..
Bowen, it is stated, has received the
Endorsement Of all the unallied claimant
nations, in which number is included
the United States.
AT the joint conference yesterday af-
ternoon, which occurred at S o'clock,
besides Mr.. Bowen, the Italian and
British ambassadors and the German
minister, there was also present Count
A. von Quadt, first secretary of the
German embassy, who until the arrival
Of Baron Speck Won Sternburg con-
with activity and judgment the
on behalf OF his govern