Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-02-05
The Venezuelan AFFAIR.

washington, reD. o.-ls was ioeinoN
TODAY that Minister Bowen, in addition
to extending the time during which ne
would grant the allies preferential treat
ment in the collection of their claims
against Venezuela, has agreed as an
evidence Of good faith to pay in cash to
each of the three powers Immediately
upon the lifting of the blockade
specific sum, reported to bein the neigh
borhood of twenty-five thousand dollars.
He had already made overtures in this
direction to Great Britain, and this
morning told Baron Speck Won Sternberg
that he would treat Germany and Italy
in the same manner. Stripped of VERDI
age, Minister Bowen's proposition, which
the powers are now considering, is as fol-
lows: If the allied powers will lift the
blockade, Venezuela will pay over to them
at once approximately SIS, 900 and will
guarantee to them exclusively 30 per
cent of the customs receipts of Puerto
Cabello and La Guayra for the period OF
three months, after which all creditor
nations shall share equally in 30 per
cent. of these receipts if these terms are
not satisfactory the dispute shall go to
The Hague international court of arbi-
tration for settlement. No answer has
been received from the powers as to the
three months preferential proposition,
but it is expected some time today. The
criticism of Minister Bowen in the for
eign capitals is supposed here to have
emanated indirectly from Sir Michael
Herbert, who seems to be smarting both
from the structures passed upon him by
the English newspapers and from his
inability to gain from Minister Bowen
special concession for Great Britain.
Washington, d. c., Feb. 5.-While
the Venezuelan negotiations here are
now proceeding by series of compro-
misses toward final agreement on the ques-
ton of preferential treatment for the
claims of the allies, the foreign dis
patches reveal difference of understand
ing among the foreign offices in Europe.
There has also developed marked diff
ference of opinion between the foreign
offices and their representatives here;
the first taking decided position from
time to time on various positions only to
find that their negotiators practically re-
fuse to urge them but instead send back
urgent requests that in no previous
diplomatic experience has such condi-
ton arisen. This is made possible only
through the fact that none of the nego-
tiators save Bowen has yet presented his
credentials, although each is known
to possess the authority necessary to
conclude protocol. This gives the
discussion the air of informality.
At first Germany was the leader in
obduracy: today Great Britain seems to
be the obstacle to success; tomorrow 1T
may be Italy. 1t is charged by the allies
that Minister Bowen has not been wholly
consistent. The German foreign office
according to this mornings reports, has
never assented to the raising OF the
blockade upon the signing of protocol,
but upon the presentation of an adequate
guarantee, and threatens that unless this
is produced Germany will keep fleet
there indefinitely. In this she is Joined
by Great Britain. In addition Germany
now sets up complaint against Bowen's
conduct of the negotiations, alleging a
certain defiance in the place of the sup
pliance which she expected from Vene-
zuela. She also alleges that his state
ment in regard to the 20 and 10 per
cent of the customs was indefinite and
not understood by her. Count Quadt,
however seemed to have understood per-
fectly Minister Bowen's rejection OF the
preferential demand.
Caracas, Venezuela, Feb. 5.-There
has been no change in the situation.
The revolutionary army is still menac-
ing this city ard the defensive measures
are being prosecuted. The report that the
revolutionary army has been defeated is
not true. While yellow fever and
typhus prevail they are not in an cpl
demic form.
Paris, Feb. 5.-The Matin today
prints dispatch from Caracas, Vene-
zuela, stating that the troops had left
the city Tuesday to meet the rebel forces
that were rapidly approaching the capt.
tai. A battle, the dispatch says, is
probably now in progress.
| The Trial of Young.