The San Francisco call., 1903-01-09
CASTRO BOWS
To THE WILL
Of NATIONS
Full AcquieScence
in ALI Demands
Announced.
Minister Bowen Now
Prepared to Leave
Venezuela.
Difficulties May Be Settled
Out of Hand in Amer
ica's Capital.
Special Dispatch to The Call.


CARACAS. Venezuela, Jan. SIN a long
conversation this morning in Nrrahores
Palace, President Castro stated that he
had acquiesced in all demands and reser-
vations made by the powers in their
notes, transmitted by way OF Washing
ton. He said:
The conditions imposed are severe, but
for the good of the country at this most
critical moment in her history I accept
them
1T is a law of nature that the stronger
forces should dominate. I hope that the
controversy with the allied powers will
now be regarded as ended am greatly
surprised and perplexed. however. that
the blockade is not Immediately raised.
1t is causing much suffering to to- poor
of the country and to foreign merchants.
can get along for some time yet with
out the revenue from the custom-hOuses,
though its loss prevents me from actively
pursuing the revolutionists and establish
ing peace"
He concluded with a scathing denuncf-
alton of Matos. saying that by becoming
a puppet Of the powers he had alienated
the sympathy Of every patriotic Vene-
zuelan.
difficulties with the allies, great uneasi-
ness prevails here as to the immediate
future. The local press. referring 20 Ma
tOs. compares him to the French Bour-
bons Of 1915. who returned 10 their coun-s
try and regained possession OF the throne
through force brought to bear by foreign
powers.
Minister Bowen refuses to talk OF his
plans, but he is packing HIS trunks. The
Dolphin. one Of Deweys vessels, will call
for him Sunday.
WASHINGTON, Jan. e-President Cas-
tro's acceptance Of the general proposi-
ton to refer the dispute between vene-
zuela and the powers to The Hague and
his nomination of United states Minister
Bowen to act as VenezueIa's representa-
tive at a conference to be held in Wash
ington between the representatives Of the
countries concerned was received at the
State Department to-day
For a fortnight it has been practically
certain that peaceful means would be the
medium of settlement. but the complex
questions involved and the cautiousness
displayed by the powers on the one hand
and Venezuela on the other made the
path of negotiations difficult.
The most important development today.
next to CastrO's acceptance Of the arbi-
tration proposal. was the official acknowT-
edgment that the representatives of the
Governments concerned, when they meet
in Washington, will attempt 10 settle the
dispute out of hand without recourse to
The Hague.
Minister Bowen. who will represent
Venezuela, and who viii soon start for
Washington on the United States ship
Dolphin. which was to-day ordered by the
Secretary of the Navy at the request OF
the State Department to La Guaira for
his use. is strongly inclined to'a settle
ment of the difhculty out Of hand He
believes that he can contribute largely to
such a settlement. Germany and Eng
land. and naturally, Of course. Italy
would prefer that such a method OF set
tlement be employed because the decision
will be reached in all probability much
sooner than If the question was referred
to The Hague.
President Castro's answer Is not final
He does not agree to the proviso con-
tanned in the last note Of the powers that
he pay over a certain sum to them before
opening arbitration; nor, on the other
hand, does he abate his tnsistent propO-
sal that the blockade be lifted before the
arbitration, conference opens. But these
points on which he has thus far been
obdurate, are expected to yield TO proper
diplomatic treatment.