The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-04
BOWsn's Note to the Powers Sets Wheels Going and
 All Are Hopeful
ALLIES HOLD CONFERENCE
 1T TIE BRITISH EMBASSY
The Various Powers Are Requested to Consent to the Limit Set By Bowen on Time for Preferential Treat
 ment of the Claims.

Washington, February 5.-There are as yet no advices from the allied govern ments respecting the nature of the pro- posal they will submit to MT. Bowen, Venezuelas representative, for settle ment of their claims. but there is good authority tonight for the statement that the note of Mr. Bowen addressed to ths British ambassador last night will result in an adjustment of the trouble.
 At the British embassy the most im- portant conference that the allies have held among themselves took place. The conference was called to consider the recommendations which the Italian and British ambassadors and the German minister should make to their govern ments as to the next step to be taken. AS a result of this conference the foreign offices in Londcn, Berlin and Rome ara in possession of suggestions which, if adopted, will mean the success of the Washington negotiations and the raising of the blockade.
 Powers Again Importuned.
 The allied powers have been requested again by their representatives to consent to priority of payment of their claims for a limited period only and equality of all claimant nations thereafter. Mir. Bowen has stated that he Is willing that the allies shall receive preferential treat ment for one month If at the end of that time all the claimant nations be placed on an equal basis as to time and nropor donate payments.
 It Is the conviction of one of the nego- of MT Bowens Is eminently fair. The feel ing Is growing that a persistence in the present position can result only in loss of prestige for the allies and bad feel ing against them. not only in Venezuela.. but elsewhere throughout the Americas. As result of these considerations at the conference at the British embassy, 1t was agreed that note should be ad- dressed to the governments of Great Britain, Germany and Italy, setting forth the exact attitude of the United States with reference to the powers pre- ferential demand the state of public feel ing here regarding it and to urge prompt acceptance of preferential pay ments for a period of from one to six months An answer Is hoped for from
 
 next twenty-four hours.
 The Hague Tribunal Last Resort.
 The question of referring the one ques- ton of preferential treatment to The Hague for settlement as suggested by MT. Bowen in his note to the British em- bassador, came up at the conference, and it was evident at once that the nego- tiators were one in their opposition to s~.F IT ..fI. a last resort. The point was made at the conference that if the three allied governments would arrange for a com promise along the lines suggested by MT. Bowen, they would do much to prove their claim that the real basis of their preferential demand was one of honor and not of the dollar.
 The British ambassador, In a call on MT. Bowen during the morning. asked him regarding his proposition to refer tha matter to The Hague and 1t developed that MT. Bowen is no less anxious than the allies representatives that the whole controversy be settled here and now. All of these facts have been cabled in full to the three powers, and their represen- tatives are now awaiting an answer in hopes that these suggestions will be adopt ed in the interest of an early peace
 Confidence In sternberg.
 Confidence that settlement will be forthcoming at Washington in a short time Is based to a considerable extent on the activity of Baron Speck von Sterburg He has given every evidence that he sincerely wants the dispute ad- justed without prolonging the blockade and unnecessarily coercing Venezuela. while at the same time preserving the prestige and rights of the allies The German government has been informed of the difficulty with which public feeling in this country has been restrained from an outburst against the Anglo-American al- lance and 1t is believed that Germany ap- preciates the necessity of an early settle ment of the whole dispute
 The President today received A call from Baron Sternberg and the two spent a half hour or more in an informal con- versation of the Venezuelan affair. The President is most anxious that the block ade be raised at the earliest possible mo- ment and 1t is believed that this fact will have considerable weight with Emperor William.
 Citizens of Mexico also have claims against Venezuela amounting to about s9O.oO0 Mexico has asked to be put on an equal footing with the other nations when the time comes for settling up. Notice of Mexicos intention was com municated to Minister Bowen today by the Mexican ambassador at this capital, senor Aspiroz