The Savannah morning news., 1903-02-07
ROOSEVELT SAYS NO
HE IS NOT L9OKTNG FOR A JOB AS
MEDIATOR.
DECLINES THE INVITATION
Uo PASS UPON VENEzUELA's PRE-
FERRED CREDITORS.

Erttish Ambassador Is Acquainted
with the Decision of the Presi-
Jent-This Means the Matter of
Preference VIII Go TO The Hague
for Adiustm NegOtia-
lions for Having 1t Take This
cour.e Come Up-FwO Sets of Pro-
tocOIs to BE Signed.
washington, Feb. 6.-President
Roosevelt has declined the invitation of
,ae allied Powers to arbitrate the ques-
zion as to whether they shall receive
oreferential treatment in the settlement
of their claims against Venezuela over
tis other creditor nations.
He reached this decision shortly be-
fore 4 O'Clock this afternoon. and in
ftructed Secretary Hay to dispatch
note to the British embassy at once, adj
>.ising the British ambassador TO that
effect. The matter therefore, will now
tesrefer-red to The Hague tribunal. This
win result in the immediate raising of
the blockade.
The administration, it is said in an
official quarter, was unwilling to APP
prove the effort of the British govern
ment to eliminate Minister Bowen from
the negotiations, and, moreover, the
President could not have accepted the
invitation of the allies. even had he
been so disposed, without the consent
OF the other ne2otiator. Minister Bow
en-, and this the allies did not obtain or
request in their note of invitation to
the President.
Tomorrow preliminaries with refer
ence tc the signing of the protocol re-
ferring matters to The Hague for ar
bitration will be considered.
Sent For Bowen.
Immediately on receipt of Secretary
Hays note announcing the Presidents
declnation the British ambassador adj
dressed a communication to Minister
Bowen, stating that he was suffering
from an attack of grippe and would be
obliged if Mr. Bowen would call on
him. The Venezuelan envoy went at
once to the embassy, where the Brit
ish ambassador explained that he had
been too ill to call for several days,
and announced the arrival of his pro-
tocol, which he was prepared to submit
German minister, Baron Sternburg,
cailed on Mr. Bowen and announced,
the arrival OF his protocol.
To-morrow's programme will include
preliminary preparations for the sign
ing of the protocols. 1t developed to-
night that two protocols are to be
signed by Mr.. Bowen with the italian
ambassador, Signor Mayor des
Planches, two with the British am
bassador and two with the German
minister, Baron Speck Won Sternburg.
The first protocol in each case will pro-
vide for the reference of the allies
contention for preferential treatment
to The Hague and the raising of the
blockade simultaneously with the sig
nature of this convention.
What Protocols Contain.
1t is doubtful whether the initial
protocols between Mr.. Bowen and the
three allies will contain the same
conditions, though all the negotiators
are working to this end. In these pro-
tOcols the conditions precedent to the
raising of the blockade will be clearly
stated namely, that 80 per cent of the
customs receipts of the ports of La
Guayra and Puerto Cabello are to be
set aside by Venezuela for the salts
faction of her creditors, and that the
question as to whether the allied Pow
ers shall receive preferential treat
ment, or as Great Britain terms it
separate" treatment, in the settle
ment shall be referred to The Hague.
These protocols also provide that
Venezuela shall pay down to each of
the three allied Powers, $4,000 as an
initial cash payment. The differences
between the PROCEEDS, it is said, will
concern certain details, the nature of
Which is not known even to Mr..
Bowen. The German protocol will be
submitted to him tomorrow by the
German minister Nor consideration.
afterwards Mr.. Bowen will go to the
British embassy, in view of the i'll
ness of the British ambassador, and
there will see the protocol drawn UP
by Lord Lansdowne. The Italian am
'bassador, Signor Mayor des Planches,
will bring his protocol sto Mr.. Bowen
tomorrow for consideration.
Some Time Before They Arc Signed.
Having arranged for the signature of
these first protocols, the negotiators
viii take up the second protocols,
Which are to cover the manner of ad-
Judicating the claims of the various
creditor Powers and the means for the
administration of the customs receipts.
1t was admitted tonight that some
days may yet pass before either of the
protocols can be signed, owing to minor
differences, but negotiations are ex-
pected to move more swiftly than In
the past.
In administration and diplomatic
circles the reference to The Hague is
regarded as a victory for Minister
Bowen, as Venezuela thereby is en-
abled to recover from the distressing
effect of the blockade before starting
ON the payment of her debts. The find
ing of The Hague tribunal may not be
handed down for some three months.
The tribunal will also decide the vital
question to South American states as
TO whether blockades and lombard