Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-01-30
Claim Of the Allies for Preferential Treat.
ment Likely to be Resisted
United States France and Other Claimants May Take Issue
With the Triple Alliance France is Being Sounded -
While the United States is Not Looking for Trouble,
Preparations are Being Made for Any Emergency
Other Claimants May Take Issue

Washington. Jan. :o.-No answer has
set come from the allied powers to
Bowen's last proposal. The British am
bassador sent long cablegram to Lord
Lansdowne yesterday afternoon, stat
ing what might be expected. Great
Britain and her two allies insisted on
preferential treatment for the blockad-
iEg powers. The text OF the cablegram
can not be published, but it informed
the foreign Office that Bowen, in the
event Of the refusal Of his proposition,
would call upon the representatives OF
the other claimant powers in Washing
ton and state to that Venezuela was be-
ing forced by the triple alliance to yield
to a plan which would affect seriously
the interests OF France. Belgium, Nor
way and Sweden. Spain. Denmark,
Holland and the United States.
When this step is taken. it is ex-
pected that France will make repre-
sentations at once TO London, Berlin
and Rome, protesting against any inter-
ference with the proposed arrangements
she has made with Venezuela for set
tlement Of her claims. France may be
Joined In this protest by the other
claimant nations. There is reason to
believe that the French government all
ready has sounded the United States
government to learn how much in
common there may be between their IN
terests in Venezuela. It is said there IS
strong resemblance between the
+ claims OF the two nations; perhaps
enough to link them together In re-
distance to any policy on the part OF
the allies which would tend to de-
stroy or impair those Interests. for
1nstance. the United ,~ates, thru
regular tribunal. the Venezuelan
claims commission. has secured 1udg-
rnent against Venezuela for consider
able sum OF money, which Venezuela
has been paying in installments Re-
Gently these payments have been de-
layed and as the money comes in large
part from Venezuelan customs. the
United States may have o very good
legal right to protest against any con-
duct on the part Of the allies which will
prevent its debtor from meeting It's OBJ
legations to the United States. France,
by treaty and negotiations. has secured
what amounts to . Judgment against
Venezuela and she claims her debtor
must not be destroyed or Venezuela's
means Of meeting her payments to
France impaired, as will be the case by
adoption OF the preferential treatment
demanded by the allies. These con-
alterations are tending to draw France
and the United States together in q
policy that Is likely to take issue with
that of the allies.
The questions OF most serious import
ance before the cabinet today related
TO Venezuela and the Philippines.
s France Is Concerned.
Paris. Jan. 3O.-The foreign Office
here received today lengthy official adj
vices giving details Of the rejection by
the allies of the proposal that France
and other countries receive equal treat
1nent in the Venezuelan settlement. The
French officials had not doubted that
equal treatment would be recognized
and this unexpected turn OF events has
caused much surprise and concern. For
the present It does not appear to be the
purpose OF the French authorities to
assume an dmrerative position. but
rather to set forth what they regard as
the manifest equities of the French po-
eition, with view to induce Its fur
ther consideration and acceptance.
In connection with the Venezuelan
question. action was taken in congress
Tor Strengthening the coast defense for
tifications and improvement Of the naval
and military establishments generally
was referred to and cordially approved.
1T is made clear that the United States
IS not expecting and is not looking for
trouble, but the administration is de-
teI1nined not to be unprepared for any
situation that may arise.
Some consideration was given to
the Philippine legislation pending be-
fore congress. Secretary Root. par
ticularly, is interested in this subject
and for considerable time before the
meeting Of the cabinet he was in con-
ference with the president In regard to
It. While it is recognized the legisla-
tiye situation at the capital in the state:
hood contest is unfortunate, hope is eX-
pressed by the officials of the admins
tration that the important legislation