The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-01-26
THE BLOCKADE MAY
BE RAISED VERY
SHORTLY
Results of Numerous Parleys
at Washington Thought to
Be Favorable to Venezuela,
Bowen's Pledges in Her
Behalf Likely to Be Ac-
cepted.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 25.-
A long conference between Minister
Bowen and Sir Michael Herbert, the
British ambassador, beginning at noon
today, followed by further conferences
between Sir Michael Herbert, Sig.
Mayer des Planchin, the Italian am
bassador, and Count Quadt, the Ger
man charge d'affaires, indicated diplo-
matte activity in Washington today
over the Venezuelan situation.
All the negotiators decline to dis
cuss the results Of today's meeting, but
statements by them that the situation
tonight warrants hope of early relief is
significant of what has been accom-
pliShed in the last tWenty-four hours.
By this time the London, Berlin and
Rome foreign offices are in possession
of Mr.. Bowen's third proposition, stat
ing the nature of the guarantee he is
prepared to offer for Venezuela, if his
initial request is complied with and
blockade raised at once. Strict reti-
cence is maintained by all the nego-
tiatOrS as to the nature of this guar
anty, and until the joint reply of the
powers is received this will not be
disclosed.
Count Quadt has been advised by
the German foreign office of the rea-
sons for the bombardment of the San
Carlos forts. This explanation agrees
with that cabled from Berlin.
Tomorrow there will be conferences
between all the negotiators, but no
definite action is expected regarding
the blockade before Tuesday or We'd
nesday. Throughout his negotiations
here, Mr.. Bowen has dealt separately
with the foreign ENJOYS, while they
have kept in constant touch with one
another. There has been no joint ac-
ton on their part.
Hard and Fast Agreement.
The important fact was developed
today that the triple alliance against
Venezuela was far more comprehen-
sive than was supposed at first. The
agreement between Great Britain, Ger
many and Italy involved only a joint
initiative action for the collection of
their claims, but each of the three pow
ers pledged itself to lift the blockade
simultaneously.
This fact was learned tonight from
a European diplomat who is acquaint-
ed with the details of the alliance, and
explains the fruitless efforts made by
Ambassador Meyer at Rome and Hen
ry White, the American charge at
London, as we'll as by Mr.. Bowen act
ing for Venezuela, to favor the agree
ment and to obtain the consent of one
Of the allies at least to raise the block
ade.
1rOn-CIdu
has been communicated to the state
department by Charge White, and it
was this fact that was the cause here
for the grave apprehension that was
felt as to the outlook.
The action of the powers, therefore,
will be joint. 1t is the belief of all the
negotiators tonight, as well as the state
department, that the answer Of the al
lies to Minister BOwen's proposition
Yesterday will mean the withdrawal OF
all the blockading ships, while re-
fusal to accept the guarantee offered
bv Mr.. Bowen must result in the con-
tinuance Of the blockade by all three
allies Great Britain, Germany and
Italy.
Says Germany Began 1t.
CARACAS. Jan. 25.-The Associated
Press CORES pondent has been making
INQUIRIES. with a view to ascertalnlng
whether the German gunboat Panther
or Fort San Carlos hred the hrSt Shoe'
The foreign minister said:
s"The Panther, on Jan. IT, attacked
the fort first without provocation. The
g1Inboat approached the fort and fired
on IL We can guarantee that the at
tack was premeditated and planned IN
Berlin The proof of this assertion IS
letter we received on the morning of
Ian. 16 from Curacao, and which Pres
ident Castro retains in his possession,
notifying US that San Carlos would be
attacked between Jan. 16 and Jan. Is,
that is to say, before the arrival of
limited States Minister Bowen at
Washington. Another proof that the
attack was premeditated is the cir
cumstance that Gen. Bello, who is in
command Of the fortress, received no
notification as to the object of the
Panther in approaching the fortress
similar to the written ultimatum that
the Germans transmitted through the