Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-02-12

allied powers, which were practically
broken off by the three diplomats, with
out notice to Mr.. Bowen, visiting the
white house and inviting the president
to act as arbitrator, have been re-
sumed
Reasons for Declining.
The president has addressed letter
to Sir Michael Herbert, the British am
bassador,, declining to act as arbitra-
tor, and giving his reasons for not ac-
cepting the invitation. The commun1-
cation was turned over to Secretary
Hay, who handed it to the diplomatic
representative of Great Britain, Ger
many and Italy having verbally agreed
to accept Minister Bowen's proposal,
except on the question of preferential
treatment, which will be referred to
The Hague tribunal.
Propositions offered.
The propositions offered by Mr.. Bow
en- are cash payment of $27, 500 to Ger
many, Great Britain and Italy; prefer
entail treatment for the blockading
powers for period of three months in
toms receipts of Puerto Cabello and
La Guayra, after which time all powers
will be on equal footing;; immediate
raising of blockade; appointment of
commission to adjudicate the claims
of each nation involved, these commits
sions to consist of one representative
of the power interested, one of Vene-
h To
agree the king of Spain or the presi-
dent of France to appoint the third
member, who will act as umpire; If
Venezuela fails for period Of 80 days
to make payments agreed upon repre-
sentatives of Belgium will enter the
customs houses at Puerto Cahello and
La Guayra and administer the customs
until all claimants have been paid.
Means End of Blockade.
Protocols with each of the allied pow
ers will be drawn up and signed, and
unless further complications arise the
blockade will soon be raised. These
protocols will cover all points con-
tanned in the proposals made by Mr..
Bowen, and the immediate success or
failure of the negotia lions will depend
on whether the allied powers incorpo-
rate in them new conditions which can
not be accepted by Minister Bowen on
behalf of Venezuela.
In addition to the terms offered to
the allied powers, the protocols will
contain all the details relating to the
division of the customs receipts and
ton with their collection and distribu
ton.
Victory for Bowen.
Tn administration and diplomatic
circles the reference to The Hague
is regarded as victory for Minister
Bowen, as Venezuela thereby is en-
abled to recover from the distressing
effect of the blockade before start
ing upon the payment of her debts.
The cumbersome machinery of The
Hague, it is expected, will delay mat
tiers considerably and the payment OF
creditor nations cannot. begin until
the important question of priority
payment for the allies is decided.
The finding of The Hague tribunal
uldy nOU NC IlhuCo dOWh LII SOlIIC
months.
The tribunal also will decide the
vital question to South American
states as to whether blockades and
bombardments entitle powers to
preferential treatment at the hands
of their debtor.
Secret ALI lnce.
Washington, Feb. 9.-Disclosure of
a secret alliance between Germany
and Italy constituted the most i'm
portant development in the Venezue-
Ian situation Saturday. This fact has
been made known to the British am
bassador and it will put all the ne
gotiators more closely on their guard
in the dra of the protocols which
they hope submit to Minister
Bowen durlL the next few days.
PrOtOc lis Rejected
Washington, Feb. 10.-The German
and italian peace protocols have been
rejected by Minister Bowen in Vene-
zuela's behalf. because preferential
treatment is still asked, and the for
mer's demands would delay settlement