The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1903-01-02
ROOSEVELT PLAN
To Submit Venezuelan Dispute
to Arbitration Is Adopted
GOES TO HAGUE TRIBUNAL
Monroe Doctrine Will Not Enter Into
the INSTRUMENTATION Have
Gone Bar Enough to Show Vene-
zuela That Allies Are In Earnest


Washington, Dec. 27.-President
Roosevelt will not be the arbitrator in
the Venezuelan controversy. The
notes received from the European gov
ernments interested in the Venezuelan
affair, and from Venezuela, gree to sub
init the question at issue to the tribunal
at he Hague. A note is now being pre-
pared by Secretary Hay in which this
government announces its hearty APP
prevail of such a course. There appears
to be no question that it is the general
understanding that the Monroe doctrine
shall not enter into the question of ar
bitration
Epitomlzed, this was the situation as
it had resolved itself at the conclusion
Of the cabinet meeting yesterday. The
meeting was not SO long as the sessions
Of the cabinet usually are. All the mGn-
berS except Secretary Root were pres
ent. The Venezuelan question was the
principal and practically the only topic
of general concern under consideration.
Secretary Hay presented the results
of his cable correspondence win the
governments at London, Berlin, Rome
and Caracas In accordance With the
suggestion made several days ago DE
President Roosevelt, through secretary
Hay, President Castro of NenezueIa mas
agreed to submit the differences pc
tween his government and the European
mowers to the arbitration of the tribunal
at The Hague. The European powers
also consented to submit the controversy
to arbitration. While they had eX-
pressed preference that the arbitration
be conducted by President Roosevelt
they have now asSented to his suggeS-
ton that the matter be referred to Ine
Hague. The presentation of the case
met the hearty approval of the members
of the cabinet.
From the outset Secretary Hay mas
insisted that a great principle was at
stake on the submission of the contro-
yersy to the interna tional tribunal there,
and, although the president could not
Mt first assure himself that his duty
would permit to keep out of the dis
agreeable business, he was of uncertain
mind as lately as Wednesday after
noon.
Not much significance is attached
here to the reported demands of Ger
many for the liquidation of one claim
: Of $33O,00O as prerequisite to the ar
bitration of the others. as it seems to
be offset by the dcIeand of Venezuela
that her fleet shall be returned to her
before she meets the powers. It Is
thought that the president has been
|2RwIlling to assume responsibility for the
escceess-of this not3afl of settlement. -
,,aderstood to feel we'll satisheo tha
the warIke demonstrations have goh
ss far as they have, so that the Fene
xuelan people, not less than the ofiicer
of their government, may see that Tn
allies are in earnest, and that the unte
Z States has no purpose Of interfering t
Il save them from the foes in The Hagu
forum Rut it is believed that VIVA
really caused a shift In the outlook mus
have been consent by the allies to SUI
mend offensive operations, including IL
blockade. and restore the status quo
far as possible without further della
1t is not possible to learn eith'
whether the allies will insist ulc
apologies from Castro. While it Is
Eumed that the blockade will be spec
fly raised, no arrangement to that eT
has vet been made. The energies of Il
negotiators are now being devoted
the framing of what will be known
a condition protocol.