New-York tribune., 1903-02-02
TON HOPEFUL.
POn Sernburg's AdCeRt Brings
Feeling Of Rehet.
IRr TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRrBUNE.1

by TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNEI
Washington. Feb. 1.-HOpefuIness has sue
ceeded depression in the Venezuelan situation.
and the present indications are that the condf-
tions have improved within the last twenty-foU-
hours The cause Of this change of atmosphers
is due in no small degree to the general ap-
provaI with which the course OF Baron Won
Sternburg the new German envoy, has been
viewed. While the developments are
meagre there is a general feeling that they are
in no small degree promising
The new German Minister to-day requested
Minister Bowen who returned his call OF yester-
day. to grant him = brief delay TO familiarize
himself with the existing situation This re-
quest was. Of course. granted, and IT may be
forecasted that within the next forty-eight
hours the German representative will fanil-
farize himself not merely with the bare details
of the diplomatic progress. but also with the
current of official and public sentiment in this
country
There is another factor that contributes TO the
general feeling Of satisfaction at the present
outlook, and that is the current belief that the
German representative possesses not merely
better facilities for gauging the public sentt-
ment of this country In the present affair, but
more authority to conduct decisive negotiations
1t is urged on good authority that Baron
Sternburg possesses a carte blanche TO settle
the negotiations sc far his country is con-
cerned. While this probably is an extreme esti-
mate of his authority, it is doubtless true that
he has unusual latitude as well as power of ac-
ticn circumstances which are bound to con-
tribute toward speedy settlement.
Moreover there is stIlL third reason for the
increased hope of a speedy settlement. and that
lies in the steps Baron Won Sternburg has al
ready taken III the matter His speedy disposal
of the formaIities of presentation to the Presi-
dent revealed a strenuousness which found ap-
preciative assistance from Mr. Roosevelt As
soon as he had accomplished this and secured
mis- diplomatic position. Baron Won SternhHrg
fastened to Mr.. Bowen and paid his formal
visit But this formal visit was not only an ex-
change Of diplomatic greetings. During he
hour and half he was with Minister Bowen
Baron Won Sternburg listened to complete 70
view Of previous negotiations and full state
rnent of the position taken by Mr.. Bowen for
Venezuela This position was transmitted 20 the
German Government late last night in full
dispatch. which will help 70 clear away the con-
fusion and misa pprehension existing in Berlin
The apparent quiescence to-day, then. IS A
hopeful sign. 1t is hopeful because, beneath the
outward calm a vast amount of work is going
on 1t is yet more hopeful because not the
slightest effort has vet been made by the rep
rasentatives Of the allies TO transmit 70 Min
lister Bowen the refusal of the allies to accept
his rejection of their preferential scheme. On
the contrary, these ministers have collectively
and severally sought to aPprise their countries
of the inadvisab bTity Of such a course, and as
vet they have not been peremptorily ordered to
present their dispatches
The fact that Baron Won Sternburg sent so
full a statement of the conditions TO his govern
ment also STRENGTHENS the hope that a conplete
understanding will be followed by consent TO
Minister Bowen's offer. The familiarity Baron
Won eternb11rg possesses with American affairs.
his complete mastery of the language and his
close personal relations with Sir Michael Her
bert all contribute to more satisfactory joint
action than has been possible heretofore. In
addition to this Baron Sternburs will be
quick TO grasp the attitude of the American
peopIe and to inform his government on this
point. thereby removing all chance of misappre-
hension of il.
In actual progress the Venezuelan affair has
boan r1otfonIess for four days except for the
exchange of formal calls between Minister
Bowen and Baron Won Sternburg. and call of
the Italian Ambassador. who saw Mr.. Bowen
for a short time this afternoon On the other
hand. the position Of Mr.. Bowen has in the in
term become clearly outlined TO the allies. They
see that their fnsistenCe on preferential treat
nlent will involve other nations and bring on a
serious diplomatic situation. filed with the
complexities sure to attend the disagreement Of
eight or ten no tons. All this has been clearly
described to the home governments, and now.
when the negotiations are resumed. IT will be
with the advantage Of having completed the
preIirlinaries Thus, though the actual prog
ress has been slight. the general situation has
been helped and the feeling tonight indicates
q widespread belief that the Venezuelan I'M
brogIio will not survive the week To this gen
eraI impression Baron Won SteTnUurS has con-
tributed largely.
That the final settlement Will carry with H.
complete surrender on the part Of the allies 20
th. Venezuelan proposal is not likely The many
turns of diplomatic art will rot improGaoly tLr-
nish q solution satisfactory 70 the allies without
being preiudiciaI 70 the interests of the other
claimant nations The allies are the la1eer
force Venezuela will without much doubt
have 20 assume the attitude OF yielding, rather
than the allies; but Minister EOwen's attitude
is not one Of uncomprOmising inSistenCe on the
letter of his proposal While ne may be loosely
described as standing pat, il is Inaccurate 10
ranresent him as standing defanJly 10 his guns.
es,icb Am impression Of his attitude would m
,naa s,,ra bIv injure his with the allies
There is no reason 10 believe. since negotiations
have NOT vet reached the condition which p:o-
vokes an ultimatum, that he would wish 10 re-
Ifnndreds OF cases pronounced To be Consumption
have been cured by DIT d Jayne's Expectordut--
Advt