New-York tribune., 1903-04-04
NEW DEMAND BY ALLIES.
PAYMENT FOR BLOCKADE.
Proposed amendment to The Hague
Protocol Rejected.

Washington, April 3.-A joint conference OF
the Venezuelan negotiators was held at the Brit
ish Embassy to-day. Mr.. Bowen presented his
reply to the amendments which the allies had
proposed to the original draft of The Hague
protocol He accepted several changes of
phraseology but informed the other negotiators
that under no circumstances would he accept
the insertion of a new article providing that
Venezuela should pay the costs of the blockade
in the decision at The Hague is adverse 10
preferential treatment It was agreed that his
objections and arguments should he Cabled at
once to London. Berlin and Rome. It is not
expected that answer can reach here before
Wednesday.
The following is the text of the articles Of
the draft of the protocol. nne-tenths of which
the allies have accepted
Article 1.-The question as to whether or not
Italy Great Britain and Germany entitled to
preferential treatment in the payment of their
claims against Venezuela by reason of the fact
that they blockaded the ports of Venezuela,
as to compel her to make settlement with
them, shall be submitted for final decision to
the tribunal at The Hague. Venezuela having
agreed to set aside 30 per cent of the customs
revenues of La Guayra and Puerto CabellO for
the payment of the claims of all nations against
Venezuela, the tribunal The Hague shall de-
eide how the said revenues shall be distributed
among the said nations, and its decision shall
be final.
Article 1.-THE facts on which shall depend
L
shall be ascertained in such manner the
tribunal may determine
Article III-The Gar Of Russia shall be in
vited to name and appoint three arbitrators to
constitute the court that is to determine and
settle the questions submitted to it under and
by virtue of this protocol. The court shall meet
on the first day of September, 1909. and shall
render its decision within six months thereafter.
Article IN.-The proceedings shall be carried
on in the English language. Except herein
otherwise stipulated the procedure shall be
1s59l"'ed 5S59 by The Hague convention Of July o.
Article V.-The court shall decide how. when
and by whom the costs of this arbitration shall
be paid.
Article VI-Any nation having claims against
Venezuela may join as party in the arbitra-
tion provided for by this protocol.
A number of the amendments suggested by the
allies to the protocol verbal of minor
Importance. and are acceptable, among these
being one to strike out of Article I the words
by reason of the fact that they bIockaded the
ports of Venezuela. 70 compel her to make
a settlement with them" Mr.. Bowen, however.
objected to adding TO Article this amendment
proposed by the allies:
In deciding the question of preferential or
separate treatment TO be granted the blockad-
ing powers the tribunal shall have regard TO
the resources of Venezuela, other than the 80
per cent of the customs revenues so set aside.
which may be available for the claims Of other
powers.
He also opposed inserting the following a
new article, to be designated Article IL
II preferential or separate treatment IS not
given to Great Britain, Germany and Italy, the
tribunal may consider whether any and what
cOmpensa ton should be made by Venezuela out
of the 80 per cent of customs revenues set
aside 10 these powers for the expense Which
they have incurred in connection with the block
ade
Another amendment the allies proposed
would have limited the arbitration tribuna!
somewhat in the matter of costs. and 1t
objected to on the ground that the tribunal it
self ought TO decide without any restriction how,
when and by whom the costs of arbtra ton
shnnld be naid.