Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-24
REMAINS UNANSWERED
Venezuela's Initial PROPOSE
ton to Allied Powers.
BLOCKADE CONTINUES
GERMANY'S DILAToRINESS SUB
jet OF COMMENT.

"All Europe May Become Involved in
the Dispute" Says a
Diplomat.
Exchanges are In active progress between
the British government and Venezuela as
represented by Mr.. Bowen here respecting
the latters proposition to raise the block
ade Of the Venezuelan ports as a condition
precedent to further negotiations.
It Is said that England's attitude Is annie
able and promising OF successful results for
the negotiations, provided she can induce
Germany to accept her views OF proper
arrangement. From Germany no answer
has come so far to Mr.. Bowen's proposition.
fact that is causing unpleasant comment
here. for although Baron Sternberg is not
in this country, Mr.. Bowen's question be-
ing one that even by him must be referred
to the German foreign Office, it might as
well be answered through Count Quadt If
there is real disposition to expedite nego-
tiations.
Initial Proposition Unanswered.
Venezuela's initial proposition to the al
lied powers remains unanswered and the
blockade continues. That Is the situation
in nutshell this morning, but 1t by no
means indicates the diplomatic activity in
Washington at this time, which. If all the
facts were known, would promise sensa-
tional Developments before many days I'M
less the ships OF the blockadtng squadron
are Withdrawn from the Venezuelan coast.
IAN Europe will become involved in this
dispute" said diplomat today. unless
Gernany's hotheaded policy Is checked"
Sir Michael Herbert, the British ambas-
sador. was Mr.. Bowen's first caller this
morning.
He came while the minister was still at
breakfast, but was Immediately ushered to
his apartments, where a long conference
followed. The ambassador brought advices
from London, but beyond admitting that
fact neither he nor Mr.. Bowen was willing
to discuss the purport of their meeting.
The Venezuelan situation was undoubt-
eddy under discussion throughout the
cant fact that the attitude of
Mr.. Bowen's Position.
Mr.. Bowen remains unchanged as regards
the passing Of the blockade. He has re-
peatedly assured the powers representa-
tives that he has full power to act for
peace or war, though he reiterates that his
visit to Washington Is a peace mission
provided honorable terms can be made.
The Italian ambassador. Signor Mayor
des Planches, and the German charge
d'affaires, Count Quadt. are still without
advices from their governments as to the
raising of the blockade.
Italy's traditional policy, 1t Is said, has
been one Of arbitration and her representa-
tive here has maintained coneiliatory at
titude throughout the Venezuelan trouble,
but 1t must be remembered that the
mailed fist" Is not unknown In Italy, and
she may be compelled to follow Germany
| in the matter Of continuing the blockade.
Senior Pulido, Venezueia's charge. was In
conference with Mr.. Bowen when the Brit
ish ambassador called this morning, but
left when the latter was announced.
Senior Ojeda, the Spanish minister, called
shortly before noon to obtain, as he said.
details of the situation that he might keep
his government advised. r. ..,ss $50
Activity at British Embassy.
The Washington authorities are display
ing the greatest interest in the activity dis
played by the officials at the British en-
| bassy While Sir Michael Herbert was
calling on Mr.. Bowen today, the first sec
rotary Of the embassy, Mr.. Herbert Dering,
was at the State Department, where he
| conferred with Secretary Hay.
Opinion is not unanimous yet as to the
| policy which Great Britain can afford to
follow in the matter Of her alliance with
Germany. If the London foreign Office fol-
lows public sentiment as expressed through
out the English speaking world. this ALI
ance viii undoubtedly be terminated before
long. Britishers are open in their state
ments that the foreign office officials have
been duped by Germany, not only in the
Venezuelan episode. but in the far east,
and the London government Is said to be
awakening to the belief that the German
emperor is using Great Britain.
It Is the effect of this public sentiment
in England that the State Department is
awaiting before making pubic its opinion
in regard to the German bombardments of
San Carlos forts and the stubborn attitude
ho inf Inc I'M he djrln
| mat put 1t today, British friendship for
the United States is put to the test
A Diplomatic Rumor.
In the diplomatic corps a rumor was
| af1oat to day that the Ang!o-German alli-
ance against Venezuela extended to the far
east. This could not be confirmed, though
the point was made that certainly the Ber-
| lin government must have promised some
| support to Great Britain for the sacrifice
she made in consenting to an agreement
that threatens to strain her friendly rela-
tons with the United States as well AS
break up her trade in South America. Ger
many's neutrality in regard to Turkeys
action in permitting the passage of Rus
sian torpedo boats through the Dardaneilles
has, it Is said, aroused grave suspicious N
London of the sincerity of Germany's SUD-
under consideration whether Great Britain
| would lose or gain in breaking her alliance
with the Berlin government, either In the
far east or in Venezuela.
If Great Britain comes to the front as
she is expected to do and repudiates the
conduct of the German commander in Ven
ezuelan waters, she Is certain to lose no
inch of ground in the far east so far as the
United States is concerned. And that the
United States is very deeply concerned in
China is a fact well appreciated in diplo-
matte circles.
The dispatch to Asiatic waters of an
American battle ship squadron, the concil-
tatory attitude of the State Department in
accepting the payment of the Chinese in
demnity in silver all point to the part
which the United States with her increased
interest in the orient must inevitably play
in China.