The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-07
ROOSEVELT
DECLINES TO
BE ARBITER
Hague Tribunal Will Set
tie Venezuelan Dispute
BLOCKADE TO BE
RAISED AT ONCE,
FrOtOCOl is Ready 1OT sigma
ture Of Representatives.
CONFERENCE AT THE
BRITISH EMBASSY
The Hague Tribunal viii Have Decision
ofWhether Allied Powers Are to
Have Preferential Treatment
inPayment Of Their Claims.
Presidents Reasons
for Declining.
Protocol is Ready for Sigma
ture Of Representatives.
CONFERENCE AT THE
BRITISH EMBASSY
tpy Associated Press

lDy AssOClhlS1 EEeSS.)
f WASHINGTON, February 6-Presi
dent Roosevelt has declined the Invitation
Of the allied powers to arbitrate the ques-
Stion as to whether they will receive pref
erenttal treatment in the settlement Of
their claims against Venezuela over the
other creditor nations. He reached this
decision shortly before o'colck this eve
ming, and instructed Secretary Hay to
dispatch note to tho British embassy
at once advising the British ambassador
to that effect. The matter, therefore,.
now will be referred to The Hague tri-
bunal. This will result in the immediate
raising Of the blockade
The Administration. 1t was stated In
official quarters, was unable to approve
the endeavor of the British Government
to eliminate Mr.. Bowen from the negotia-
tions. and moreover, the President could
not have accepted the invitation of the
allies. unless he received the consent OF
Mr. Bowen. their co-negotiator, and this
the allies did not admit in their note to
the President.
immediately on receipt Of Secretary
Hays note announcing the Presidents de-
cislon, the British ambassador sent q
note to Mr.. Bowen. saying that he was
suffering from an attack of grin and
would be Obliged II Mr.. Bowen would call
on him, The Venezuelan envoy went at
once to the emba ssy, where the British am
bassadort explained that he had been too
Ill to call for ssevera days. and announced
the arrival of his protocol, which he was
prepared to submit to Mr.. Bowen for
signature. Later, the German minister
Baron Won Sternburg, announced the ar
rival Of his protocol.
To-morrow's q conference will include
preliminary preparations for the signing
Of the protocol stS 81 s-sy h
TWO APIECE.
1t developed tonight that the two pro-
tccols are to be signed by Mr.. Bowen
with the allan am hlssador, two with
the British ntassador and two with the
German minis ter. The first protocol in
each case will provide for the ratifica tion
of the allies contention for preferential
treatment by The Hague and the raising
of the blockade simultaneously with the
signing of the protocols of this conven-
I ton. 1t Is doubtful whether the initial
protoco between Mr.. Bowen and the
three allies will contain the same condI-
tinns, though all the negotiators are work
ing to this end. In these protocols the
conditions precedent to the raising of the
blockade will be clearly stated, namely,
that thirty per cent. of the customs re-
ceipts of the ports of La Guayra and
Porto Cnbello are to be set aside by Ven
ezuela for the satisfaction of her credi-
tors. and the question as to whether the
allied powers shall receive preferential
treatment. or as Great Britain terms It,
Separate" treatment In the settlement
shall be referred to The Hague. These
protocols also will provide that Venezuela
shall pay to each, of the allies in cash
$500 as an initial cash payment. The