New-York tribune., 1903-01-29
URGE ALLIES TO ACCEPT.
JOINT NOTE OF ENpOIS.
4ction Taken to Hasten RAISING OF
Venezuelan Blockade.

Washington. Jan 2S-The italian and British
Ambassadors and the German Charee u al
faires at a joint conference to-day agreeu ~
send a cable dispatch to their governments ul
inc, nron,nt acceptance of Mr. Bowens PROPOSE
tion. to enable the lifting of the venezuelan
blockade at once. In this dispatch, Whlch was
sent at noon it suggested that consldera
ton of the details of the proposition De post
noned until after the signing of the preliminary
protocol. Signor Mayor des Planehes' tne l'alian
Ambassador. as the ranking representative OF
the allies called on Mr.. Bowen this AFTERNOON
and Informed him that the Joint dispatch had
been sent, and expressed the hope that it would
exnedite the arrival of the final answer
RowEN,s PLAN TO SETTLE DEBT.
Partial confirmation has been obtained here
of cable dispatches saying that Belgium Is 10
take a prominent part in the administration of
the customs receipts. Mr.. Bowen declines 10
discuss the details of his plan, however, until
the blockade has been raised. Late this after
noon he gave out brief statement Of the d1plo-
matte debt of Venezuela and the methods for Its
future adjustment. In round numbers this oept
amounted on December 81, 1901, to something
over S14O00OO0 and consisted of claims Wnlch
had previously been adjusted. Since that oate'
owing to the almost constant state or reVoiu-
ton which has prevailed in Venezuela, no pay
ments have been made on the debt. Mr.. Bowen
plan provides that 10 per cent OF the customs
receipts of all the Venezuelan ports shall go
toward the payment Of this debt. This arrange
ment it is said, will not Interfere with the plan
of Mr. Bowen submitted to the powers for the
settlement of the unadjudicated claims. For
the payment of the latter 80 per cent of the Gus
toms duties at Porto Cabello and La Guayra
have been offered in pledge by Mr.. Bowen
These ports were selected because they would be
the last to fall into the hands of revolutionists
Assurances have been given to the French
Government that 1t shall receive fair treat
ment in the settlement of its claims and that
no previous arrangements which 1t has mace
with Venezuela shall be interfered with. The
French charge d'afaires, NJ. de Margerie, to-
day received instructions from the Foreign Of
flee at Paris authorizing him to conduct nego-
tiations with Mr.. Bowen whenever the latter
desires to take up the French claims.
No instructions have been received yet by
the Belgian Minister. Baron Moncheur, relative
to the settlement of the claims of his govern
ment, but they are expected within a short
time.
An italian consul has been ordered to Wash
ington from Venezuela, with all the papers
bearing on the claims of his government. These
will be placed at the disposal of the Italian
Ambassador. Signor Des Planches is being
congratulated on his diplomatic triumph in Sc
curing a pro rata payment of the claims for
the powers as this means much for the Italian
Government.
TRIBUTE TO BoWEN's FAIRNESS.
Impressed with the fair spirit in which Mr..
Bowen has conducted the negotiations for Ven
ezuela an appeal has come to the minister
from one of the largest German firms in ex-
istence asking that he protect German inter
ests so far as he may be able in his representa-
tions to the powers. He is especially urged
to cali to the attention of the powers the serious
harm that will accrue to foreign trade in Ven
ezuela and throughout South America If the
allies insist on any proposition involving the
overturning of the currency system of Ven
ezuela. This appeal. with Mr.. Bowen's IN
dorsement, has been communicated TO the
powers. Mr.. Bowen is thus placed in the pecul-
lar attitude of asking protection from the
powers for the interests of their own citizens.