Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-20
THE SELIGMANS' OFFER
-
TO ASSUME DRfpr VENEZUELA
TO THE POWERS.
Does Not Ask fSr: i Guaranty by the
ffG De-
United .stateasroh but Wants an
American Official Concerned.

The internationaie syndicate, headed by
the Seligmans, has. renewed on larger
scale than xatsits Erst venture the offer to
assume Venezuela 8 debts to the powers. L.
N. Seligman has been in Washington two
days in that pursuit. He has been at the
White HOUSE and has communicated with
some members Of the diplomatic body. With
him Is associated Mr.. Salondonsohn, repre-
sentative OF the Disconto Gesellschaft, or
Discount Bank. Of Berlin. which is the
largest individual creditor of Venezuela.
Mr.. Seligman also has made arrangements
to associate In the floating of the Vene-
zuelan debt with the banking firm Of Speyer
& Company Of London. SO that, instead Of
being a purely American syndicate, as at
first supposed. the new partnership Will
have an International cast. 1t Is under
stood that the demand Is net now made for
a guaranty by the United States govern
ment that these investors shall recover
their money from Venezuela when the loan
becomes due. f.,
It is stated that the action Of the United
States in signing a protocol with Mr.. Bowen
providing for the settlement of American
claims up to this time has satisfied Mr.. Sc
1igman that when the time comes he, like
any other creditor. can ask the State De-
partment to aid him in collecting his money
If justice Is denied him in Venezuela. the
President therefore, is not asked to make
any specific promise as was the case dur
ing the first overtures when ne promptly
refused to bind this government as proposed
by the syndicate.
The Syndicate's Desire.
But while the syndicate has not renewed
It's request as first made 1t does want some
visible exhibition ofthe interest OF the United
States in this matter; something that might
connect the United States government with
the enterprise. 1t wants an American to be
appointed an agent and stationed in Cara
cas- to manage the redemption of the loan,
and If necessary. to collectsa certain pro-
portion of the customs receipts.
1t is believed this proposition Is attractive
to both England and Germany, for If 1t
were accepted Venezuela coulo pay her
creditors within few days and the disa-
greeable necessity of adjusting the ques-
ton of preferential payments would vanish.
Mr.. Seligman left Washington last evening
expecting TO return In ABOUT Two weeks,
| when, IL conditions are suspicious ana the
officials after thinking the matter over are
inclined favorably, he may put the PROPOSE
ton in concrete form.
Mr.. Bowen Not Favorable.
Mr. Bowen does not favor the proposition
and as his powers are unlimited in Washing
ton it is apparent that 1t can come to moth
ing unless the principals find some way to
| induce President Castro at Caracas to act
In person Mr.. sBowien made this pretty
clear to Mr.. Seigfhanawhen the latter called
on him. fHti
Tts success ofs the undertaking might
mean the advancemehfto Venezuela by the
syndicate of probabIy more than $4,000
900. as the syndicatg Has figured out at $45.-
| 100000 the probable t6tm afnornt OF claims
| that Venezuela win have to pay the foreign
creditors and addsvolal amounts must e, De
10 per cent commissions to the syndicate.
Mr.. Bowen feelssthefe should be a definite