River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-02-05
DELAY THEIR REPLY.
Minister Bowen Not Officially Mott
fed of Allies Decision.
still Hopeful That His Proposal Will
BE Accepted-What May Result
in Case They Decide Upon
Refusal.


Minister Bowen's proposition, made
| several days ago, that there shall be
no preference of claims of Great
Britain, Germany and Italy against
! Venezuela over those of other ma
| lions against the South American
country. Minister Bowen thinks the
delay should be construed in hope
full light, on the ground that the de-
Law in the answer of the powers indi-
Gates that they realize the impor-
lance of his position in the matter
and are giving the subject careful
consideration. He still expects a
| favorable reply to his contention and
| believes that the questions at issue
will be settled at Washington be-
tween himself, acting for the gov
eminent of Venezuela, and the rep
resentatives of the powers.
It became known that Mr.. Bowen
had addressed to the representatives
of the allies what in a measure might
be regarded as an ultimatum as de-
fning his position. Mr.. Bowen de-
clines absolutely to discuss the ques-
ton, but it is known that he said
to the allies that if they persisted
in their determination to receive
preferential treatment in the matter
of the settlement of the claims, he
would call together the other credit
or nations having claims against
Venezuela with a view to their max
ing a formal protest against the de-
mands of those who participated in
| IF + &c
would be that the other seven credit
or nations would be lined up against
the three allied powers, with the re-
suit that the settlement of the whole
matter in all probability might go t"
| The Hague, if it is to be settled at
all. This note is believed to be hay-
! ing it's effect in staying the final de
termination of the question by the
allied governments.
France AstOnished.
Paris, Jan. 31.-The foreign office
here received lengthy official advices
giving details of the rejection by the
allies of the proposal that France and
other countries receive equal treat
ment in the Venezuelan settlement.
The French officials had not doubt
ed that equal treatment would be rec
ognized, and this unexpected turn of
events has caused much surprise and
concern.
For the present it does not assume
an imperative position, but rather
sets forth what they regard as the
manifest equities of the French po-
sition, with the view to induce its
further consideration and accept
ance. After comforting with those
in chief authority, an official said that
the French position is based on two
essential principles.
The first is that a pacific settle
ment between two sovereign nations
is entitled at least to equal treat
ment with a war settlement. If not
| a precedent would be esta blished, the
officials say, which would be an in
centive to war, as countries first
adopting force in the collection of
claims would have superior rights
to those observing the usual pacific
means of settlement.
Dangerous Precedent.
The view is strongly held here that
the United States, France and Bel
GUM are in effect pacific allies, as
they did not resort to force against
| Venezuela. 1t is insisted that the
present attitude of the allies tends
not only to prejudice the rights of
the pacific allies, but also esta blishes
the dangerous principle that resort
to war is preferable to efforts to
maintain peace.
international Recognition.
The second principle of the French
position is that the Franco-Vene-
zuelan settlement is in the form of
treaty which entities it to inter
national recognition. This was for
mally executed prior to the adop-
ton of force by the allies and while
Venezuela retained full independence
in the exercise of her sovereign right
to make treaty. Therefore, it is
maintained that this antedates rights
arising from resort to force.
1t is not insisted, however, that this
prior treaty settlement entities
France to priority in the division OF
the customs receipts, as the officials
hold that all the powers having
claims should receive equal treat.
ment.
Germany Must Not Bluff
Washington, Jan. 30.-The Venezue-
Ian situation, especially the attitude
of Germany, was discussed by the SEN
ate committee on military affairs
Thursday.
The discussion was general and ear
nest, and the conclusion reached, as
stated by member of the com
mittee, was that the United States
make it plain that the honor and dig
nifty of the country would be main