The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-01-29
uRGE pRoMpT AccnpTANcE.

Washington, January 2s.--The Italian nnd
British ambassadors and the German charge
d'nffaires, Mt a Joint conference today,
agreed TO cable their governments urging n
prompt acceptance Of MIR. Bowens last
proposition, 10 enable the lifting Of the
Venezuelan blockade at once
In this cnblegrnm, which was sent Mt
noon, It was suggested that the considera-
ton Of the details OF the proposition he
postponed until nftcr the signing ~ the pre-
llmunry protocol.
Impressed with tho fair spirit IN which
Mr.. Bowen has conducted the negotiations
for Venezuela has brought an appeal TO
Mr. Bowen from one Of the largest German
firms, asking him TO protect German inter
ests. so far MS he Is able. He Is especially
urged 70 call 10 the attention Of the powers
the serious harm that viii accrue TO foreign
trade IN Venezuela and throughout South
America II the nllies insist on any proposi-
ton involving the overturning OF the cur
rency system ~ Venezuela. This appeal,
with Mr. Rowen's Endorsement. hns been
taken to the powers. Mr. Bowen Is thus
placed IN the peculiar attitude OF asking pro
tection from the powers for the interests
OF their own citizens
signor Mayor Des Planches the italian
OF the allies. called on Mr.. Bowen this
ofterroon and Informed him Of the dispatch
Of the ,oint cablegrnm to the powers and
expressed the hope that It would expedite
the arrival OF the Anal answer.
Partial confirmation has been obtained
here az coble dispatches TINT Belgium is 20
,o,o prominent part IN the administra-
tion Of the customs receipts. Mr.. Bowen de-
cI,nes to discuss the details of his plan.
bovevor. until tho blockade has been raised.
T,ote This afternoon he gave out brief
statement Of the diplomatic debt OF Fene-
zuelo ana the methods for It's future adjust
mont In round numbers this debt amounted
December ~. 1901. TO something over Sl4'-
ooo 600 and consisted ~ claims which had
previously been adjusted,
since that date, owing 10 the almost con
slant state Of revolution which has pre-
vailed In Venezuela. no payments have been
mndc m the debt.
Mr.. Bowcn's plan provides that l6 per
cont of the customs receipts OF all the Vene'
zrelan ports shall 20 toward the payment
~ tbia debt This arrangement II Is said
yt,t Interfere IN no wise with the plan MT
pnu,en submitted for the settlement Of the
unadindicnted claims. For the payment
~ the latter 30 per cent Of the customs
duties Of the two ports Of Puerto cabello
and La Guayra have been offered in pledge
by Mr. Bowen
These ports were selected because they
would he the last 70 faIl into the hands Of
the revolutlonists Assurances have been
given the French government that II snail
receive fair Treatment in the settlement
or rs claims. and that no previous arrange
nients which n had made with venezuel1
,yiif fp Interfcrcd With. The French charge
daralres. NJ. Pierre de Margerie, TODAY
received instructions from tho French for
cign oface at Paris authorizing him to
conduct negotiations with Mr. Bowen when
ever the latter desires TO take uD the
French claims
No instructions have been received ms
yet by the Belgian minister. Baron Mon
cheur. relative 70 the settlement Of the
claims Of his government. but they are eT-
peeted within short time.
An italian consul has been ordered 20
Washington from veneEuela with all the
paDens bearing on the claims Of MS gov
eminent.
These VIII be placed at the disposal Of the