New-York tribune., 1903-01-28
VEXING DELAYS ARISE.
BLOCKADE PROTR4CTED.
Allies Seeking Further Information
from Dir. Bo1Cen.
[BY rELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

! N'ON
necessarily significant delays in the negotiations
between Minister Bowen and the representatives
| of the allied powers have protracted the block
ade beyond the time that, it hoped last night.
would the conclusion of that dangerous
phase of the Venezuelan affair. This morning
the diplomatic representatives of three allied
powers called upon Minister Bowen 1t is un-
derstood that at this conference the proposition
made that the claims of all the allied powers
should rank preferred. and that in this way
they would precede the obligations of Venezuela
to other nations. This proposition, 1t is IN
tmated, was rejected, and then another was
made requesting the pro rata payment of the
claims of various nations. which would insure
the liquidation of all claims at the same time
This second suggestion, it is believed, received
q more favorable reply.
The fact that these questions were raised at
the last moment does not necessarily imply bad
faith ON the part of the allies On the con-
trary, it is taken to simply that before
Consenting to the proposition made by Minister
Bowen on behalf of Venezuela the allies, follow
ing the usually pursued by cautious busl-
ness men, desire to be perfectly satisfied that
the ground is absolutely sure. that all future
complications may be avoided, and that the
settlement of the trouble by the raising of the
blockade may be a final settlement. The cur
rent impression in we'll informed circles to-
night is that all the nations concerned are ready,
and will rejoice at the termination of the pres
ent imbrogo.
ALLIES ACTING WITH CAUTION.
1t is possible, of course, that the propositions
presented this morning. if they have been cor
rectly outlined may merely precede a series of
such questions calculated to delay the proceed
ings. protract the blockade and continue the
humilia ton of President Castro. for the number
of questions which might be asked has no limit,
and many might require time for obtaining
satisfactory answer This is a possible but not
likely eventuality. on the contrary, the feel
ing here is that the action of the representa-
tives of the allies discoses sinister motive
but is sfmpIv an evidence of extreme caution.
Prophecies of the lifting of the blockade by
tomorrow night are still heard, but they lack
the confidence which attended similar predic-
tions last night. The fact that there was
conference this morning carries with it the sug-
gestion of further exchange of messages be-
tween the home governments and their repre-
sentatives in this city. Such exchange.
however great the expedition. will consume
good deal of time, and, accordingly, Thursday
morning seems more reasonable time to fix
for the lifting of the embargo. On the other
hand, If tomorrow night Thursday morning
does not see this action. then it is generally
ticn. caused by the presentation by the allies of
other matters which they desire information.
Such questions. whether asked in good faith or
for the purpose of protracting the blockade.
will accomplish exactly the result.
The desire of the allies to obtain preferential
position, which it is reported met with re-
fusal would involve France and several other
nations which shave claims against Venezuela
in the affair, and for that reason. it is con-
jectured. met with rejection. The matter of the
pro rata payment on the contrary presents
serious objections. In simple terms it is this:
If the claims of two nations amounted to $780,
600 and 100000 respectively then the payment
the first would be 81 for every 50 on the sec
0nd. Thus both obligations would be cancelled
at the same time and neither the large nor the
small creditor would be disseminated against.
STILL CONFIDENT OF SETTLEMENT.
While the fact that the blockade was not
raised to-day crea ted some disa appointment here
there is not the slightest evidence that it
ries with it any suggestion of a return to acute
conditions 1t is regarded simply of
the vexatious delays incident to diplomatic ne
gotation and it is pointed out that Minister
Bowen has made remarkably rapid progress
when contrasted with the usual time consumed
in such affairs The visit to Minister Bowen to-
day of the representatives of all three nations
concerned tends to combat the general impress
sion that the source of the delay entirely
German. On the other hand. such visit de-
stroys all possibility of any conclusion to
where the question asked originated. and it may
be doubted whether the representatives them
selves are wholly informed to the source of
the delay. Elucidaton of this question must
come from the other side of the Atlantic Here
the general feeling is hopeful, and the expecta-
ton of speedy settlement voiced last night
still continues. Minister Bowen had a brief
conference with Secretary Hay this morning
after his conference with the representatives of
the allies, and not the slightest intimation of
any or disturbing complications has ema-
mated from the State Department. The feeling
there, elsewhere IS distinctly hopeful.