The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-30
The Two Countries Are Being
Rapidly Drawn Together
By Reason of Similar Interests
in Venezuela Affair.
THE LIMIT is REACHED.
Minister Bowen Cables Allies
Regarding Situation.
France Is Expected to Take the
Lead in Protesting.

Washington, Jan. 30.-No answer yet
has come from the allied powers to Mr..
Bowen's last proposition. The British
ambassador sent a long cablegram to
Lord Lansdowne yesterday afternoon
stating what might be expected in case
Great Britain and her two allies insist
ed upon the preferential treatment for
the blockading feet. The text of the
cablegram can not be published. but it
informed the foreign office that Mr..
Bowen in the event of refusal of his
proposition would call upon the repre-
sentatives of the other claimant powers
in Washington and state to them that
Venezuela was being forced by the
triple alliance to yield to a plan which
would affect seriously the interests of
France, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Den
mark, Holland and the United States.
When this step is taken it IS expected
that France will make representations
at once to London, Berlin, and Rome
protesting against any interference with
the previous arrangement she has made
with Venezuela for the settlement o.
claims. France may be Joined IN tnlS
! protest by the other claimant nations.
There is reason to believe that the
! French government already has sound
! ed the United States government to
learn how much in common there may
It is said there is a strong resemblance
/ between the claims of the two nations;
4 perhaps enough to link them together
in resistance to any policy on the part
of the allies which would tend to de-
stroy or impair those interests. For
instance, the United States. through a
regular tribunal, the Venezuelan claim
commission has secured judgment
against Venezuela for a considerable
sum of money which Venezuela has
been paying in installments. Recently
I these payments have been delayed and
as the money comes in large part from
the Venezuela customs, the United
States may have very good legal right
to protest against any conduct on the
part of the allies which will prevent
its debtor from meeting its obligations
/ to the United States. France, by treaty
and negotiations has secured what
amounts to a judgment against Vene-
zuela and she claims that her debtor
must not be destroyed or Venezuela $
means of meeting her payment to
France impaired as viii be the case by
the adoption of the preferential treat
ment demanded by the allies. These
considerations are tending to draw
France and the United States together
in a policy that is likely to take issue
with that of the allies.
CABINET DECIDES TO BE READY.
Washington Jan. 30.-TWO important
subjects were considered at the cabinet
meeting today All the members of the
having returned from his brief vacation
His condition is much improved. Indeed
he is quite himself again.
The questions of most serious imDOr-
tance before the cabinet today related
to Venezuela and the Philippines. Il
connection with the Venezuelan ques-
ton the action taken in congress for the
strengthening of the coast defense for
tifcations and the Improvement of the
naval and military establishments gen
orally was referred to and cordially ap
proved. 1t is made clear that the Unit
ed States is not expecting and is not
looking for trouble. but the administra-
ton is determined not to be unprepared
for any situation that may arise
Some consideration was given to tbs
Philippine legislation pending before
congress Secretary Root particularly Is
interested in this subject, and for d
cOnsiderab bic time before the meeting Oi
the cabinet he was in conference with
the president in regard to it. While it Is
recognized that the legislative situation
at the capitol is complicated by the at
titude assumed by the senate in the
statehood contest. the hope is expressed
by officials of the administration tha,
the important legislation demanded al
this time may be enacted.
Secretary Moody announced after the
meeting that no conclusion had vet beer
reached concerning the bids for the
first class cruisers Washington anC
Tennessee. which have been under con
sideration for several weeks. He indi
Gated that a decision might be reached
soon.