The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-02-04
APPEALS TO HAGUE TRIBUNAL

Washington, February 2.-Herbert
W. Bowen, Venezuela's representative
in the negotiations at Washington for
settlement of the claims
against that country, has sent,
through the British ambassador
here, what amounts practically
to an ultimatum to the allied Powers
of Great Britain, Germany and Italy
regarding their insistence for prefer
entail treatment in the settlement of
their claims against Venezuela. This
note, which the British ambassador
received shortly before 9 O'Clock to-
night, was cabled at once to London,
copies of it being transmitted to the
Italian and German embassies for
transmission to Rome and Berlin. It
is in reply to the proposition sub
mitted at a joint conference of the
negotiators this afternoon by the
British ambassador, that the allied
Powers be allowed two-thirds of 30 per
cent Of the customs receipts of the
ports of La Guayra and Porto Cabello,
and that the United States and the
other claimant nations-France, Bel
GUM, Holland, Denmark, Spain and
Norway and Sweden-content them
selves with the remaining third
of this percentage, that is, 10 per cent
Of the receipts of these two ports.
In the note received by the British
ambassador from Mr.. Bowen tonight
the latter refuses point blank to ac-
cept the proposition for 20 and 10
per cent division, on the ground that
to recognize the principle it embodies
| would be absolutely offensive to modern
civilization. In view Of the fact that
the negotiators are agreed on ali save
the question of preferential treatment
| the ambassador is informed that Ve1e-
zuela has decided to submit that ques-
tion to The Hague arbitration tribunal.
Acceptance of this proposition, Vene
Zuela contends, carries with it rails
ing of the blockade, the general under
standing being that the blockade would
end when the negotiators at Washing
ton had reached an agreement.
It is understood that IN refusing this
last proposition submitted by the
British ambassador on behalf Of the
allies Mr.. Bowen takes the ground
that he cannot accept in principle the
contention that blockades and bonn
bardments of forts, and the consequent
killing of helpless men, women and
children, entities any Power or alliance
of Powers to preferential treatment at
the hands of civilized nation. 1t is
claimed that should the peace Powers
and the blockading Powers agree
to such a principle they would incor-
porat in the law of nations doctrine
in conflict with the tenets Of all
modern ethics Moreover, Venezuela.
it is stated, regards the preferential
demand of the Powers as Objectionable
because it would enable the continuance
of the triple alliance of Great Britain,
Germany and Italy for six years or
more, and in accepting it Venezuela
would be encouraging and abetting
the maintenance of hostile alliances
against herself. The British ambas-
sador is informed in the note that
Americans, North and South, want
peace and not alliances.
Venezuela has taken special excep-
tion to the action of the British Gov
ernment in initiating this last PROPOSE
tion, by which Great Britain can hold
fast to Germany and Italy in their
alliance against Venezuela until the
last cent of the claims is paid. The
prediction is made in her response
that surprise and regret Of the keenest
sort Will be felt through the Americas
when it is known that Great Britain
has even proposed continuing her pre-
sent alliance with Germany and Italy
one moment longer than is necessary,
particularly in view Of her previous
representations to the effect that she
was anxious to end the Venezuelan
dispute and call off the alliance at
tie earliest possible time.
In suggesting that the question of
preferential treatment be referred to
The Hague, it is understood that Mr.
Bowen does so in view Of the fact that
this question is the only one which
remains in dispute. The allies are
advised that Venezuela is desirous
that all the negotiators shall stand by
what has been already agreed on.
The British ambassador declined to-
night to make public the text of the
note addressed to him. as it is in reall-
ty note to the allied Powers but it
became known that Is was along the
lines here set forth and concluded with
an appeal for Justice to The Hague
Tribunal regarding the contention OF
the allies for preferential treatment,
and an assertion that such action
carried with it the RAISING OF the
blockade Some significance emay at
tach to the note in view of the fact
that before dispatching it TO the
British embassmy Mr.. Bowen was in
conference with Secretary Hay.
Whether the allies accept as final
what Mr.. Bowen has had to say or
will assume conciliatory attitude