New-York tribune., 1903-02-08
THE CASE FORTHE HAGUE
PRELIlfIN4RT WORK.
lilies Representatives. Agdin IN Cor
dial Relations Uitb Mr. Bo7cen.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO 1HE TRIBUNE-l


Washington. Feb. Calm has settled over
the troubled Venezuelan situation. and there is
every appearance Of the renewal OF cordlal rela-
ttons between the allies and the venezuelan
representative NJ Bowen's call on Sir
Michael Herbert in response to a note sent 10
him by Sir Michael yesterday afternoon 1nol-
Gated clearly that negotiations were not
broken off. At this call Mr. Bowen ex-
pressed his surprise at the action of the
allies in appealing to the President over
his head and without his knowledge Sir
Michael explained that his instructions did not
include any notification to the Venezuelan rep
resentative, and that he had simply ooeyed MS
orders from London. Official communications
continue to pass between the representatives OF
the allies and Venezuela. as Sir Michael Herbert
is still too i'll to leave the embassy. Mr. Bowen
has received assurances from Baron Speck Won
sternburg that he deeply deplored the reference
to the President In such a manner as to ignore
the Venezuelan representative, but explained
that his instructions compelled him to follow
the action of Sir Michael Herbert. who was in
turn following the instructions of his govern
ment.
PRESIDENTS REFUSAL APPROVED.
The Presidents refusal to assume the responsi-
h,litv of settling the dispute, while generally
expected receives unanimous approval here. the
general opinion in official circles having steadily
oprosed any entrance of the United States lhto
the affair The fact that the Venezuelan repre-
sentative expressed his preference for settle
r7ent at The Hague does not in the least weaken
the fact that the President declined to act since
his own position in the matter clearly
outlined on the occasion of his first refusal TO
act arbiter.
The preparations for reference TO The Hague
are now the sole matter under consideration
There is apparently no further hope of reach
ing a settlement here, and the work OF draw
ing the protocols and signing them remains 10
be accomplished. These protocols will be sep
arate in each case, and will provide for the cash
pavnent of S27 800 to each of three allies, the
raising of the blockade and the reference of the
matter of preferential treatment to The Hague
The suggestion that in order to facilitate action
one arbitrator who is member Of The Hague
tribunal is TO decide the matter does not find
favor Mr. Bowen believes that so important
matter as that at issue should be passed upon
bv at least five judges, and he will urge large
board.
The protocols have not yet been presented to
him for signing although it is known that they
have reached this city, and he has been informed
of their arrival The dispatches from London
indicating that the opinion exists there that
The Hague will decide against the preferential
demand of the allies finds echo here. The gen
Is
and not a war tribunal. will be forced by the
yery nature Of its existence to throw out any
suggestion that the use Of warl1ke measures,
such as blockades and bombardmentS. gives
these powers resorting to them right TO ue-
nand preferential treatment for their CLAIMS
over those of nations which adhere to inc more
reaceful method of collecting debts. the I'M
portance of deciding this point definitely is be-
lieved to be the main reason for the Nenez-
uelan representatives. conviction that a large
commission If jurists rather than a single Jurlst
should pass on it. .
The accusation of employing shirt sleeves
diplomacy made against Mr.. Bowen has called
forth an indignant rejoinder from his friends
which shifts the responsibility from his broad
shoulders When Mr.. Bowen first considered the
necessity of coming North, he sent to a London
tailor and ordered outfit of clothes suitable
To the Northern climate. The order was filled and
the garments were dispatched to Caracas via
Ia C;uayra Unfortunately. the ship bearing
the precious trousseau was the first to encoun-
fer the blockade, and the London clothes We're
never allowed ashore Basng their defence on
! this the friends of Mr.. Bowen entirely shift
the blame of the shirt sleeves diplomacy to the
oil