The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-02-04
VENEZUELAN Treatment.
Allies Begged to Sign the Pre-
liminary Protocol.

liminary Protocol.
Washington, January '29,-The
Italian and British ambassadors and
the German charge d'affaires, at a
Joint conference today, agreed to cable
! their Governments urging prompt
acceptance OF Mr.. Bowen's last pro-
position, to enable the lifting of the
Venezuelan blockade at once. In this
calegram, which was sent at noon, 1t
was suggested that the consideration
of the detail of the proposition be
postponed until after the signing of
the preliminary protocol.
Signor Mayer des Planches, the
Italian ambassador, as the ranking
representative Of the allies, called On
Mr.. Bowen this afternoon, and in
formed him of the dispatch of the joint
cablegram to the Powers, and express
arrival of the final answer.
Partial confirmation has been obtain
ed here of cable dispatches that Bel
GUM is to take prominent part in
the administration of the customs re-
ceipts. Mr.. Bowen declines to discuss
the details of his plan, however, until
the blockade has been raised. Late
this afternoon he gave out a brief
statement of the diplomatic debt of
Venezuela and the methods for its
future adjustment. In round numbers
this debt amounted on December 81,
1901, to something over s14, 600, 600,
had consisted of claims which had been
previously adjusted. Mr.. Bowen's
plan provides that IL per cent Of the.
customs receipts of all the Venezuelan
ports shall go toward the payment of
this debt.
From the highest authority, it was
learned tonight that the publication
by the foreign Office Of the fact that
Great Britain and Germany sought the
alliance against Venezuela was brought
about by representations from the
German foreign Office. It is said that
Germany had threatened to publish
the diplomatic exchanges between the
German and British foreign Offices un-
less GreatIBritain Immediately should
cred the responsibility for the alliance.
This threat was induce by the Anti
German feeling aroused in the United
States by events in Venezuelan waters.
ALLIES WANT TO GRAB ALL.
Berlin, January 2s.-The allies are
awaiting Venezuela's reply to their
conditional acceptance of the guar
antee. Venezuela appears to have
asked the allies to permit all countries
having claims against her to partici
pate in their payment out of the pro-
ceeds of the customs set apart for that
purpose. This the allies have declined
to agree to, and it is upon this point
particularly that Venezuela's rejoinder
is awaited.
BLOCKADE TO BE RAISED.
Caracas, January 2s.-Everyone here
expects the blockade to be raised at
any moment.
It has been learned from an officer
of the United States gunboat Marietta,
which anchored today at La Guayra,
that the German commodore, Scheder,
on arriving at Wilemstad with the
Vineta, said ''Fhe Panther did not
fire first on Fort San Carlos. On
January II she was forced by storm
to take refuge inside the bar, and on
coming near the fortress she tried to
land boat flying a red flag. This
signal was misinterpreted by the fort,
which subsequently fired on the boat.
London, Jan. 29.-Great Britain,
Germany and Italy have sent Joint
reply to Minister Bowen refusing to
accept the proposal that all;the coun-
tries having claims against Venezuela
should be placed on an equality with
the three cooperating powers.
Venezuela's answer to the powers
latest communication (the joint note
refusing to place all claims on an
equality with those of the cooperating
| powers), is expected to arrive here to-
| mmorrow. II Mr.. Bowen can agree to
give preference to the claims of Great
Britain, Germany and Italy, the
blockade is likely to be raised imme-
diately, for SO far as known, this is
the only outstanding vital point.
Should Venezuela demur or complica-
tions arise, such as a protest from
some of the other powers, things may
be Indefinitely prolonged. Authorita-
| tive opinion here differs regarding the
! OuICOIuS.
| BOWEN IS AT A sTANDsTILL.
| Washington, Jan. 29.-There was a
pause in the Venezuelan negotiations
today that approached perilously near
"a breach, and the end is not yet in
sight. It grows out of the attitude of
the allies in insisting upon preferen-
tial treatment for their demands in the
settlement of their claims. Mr..
Bowen has been informed of the decis-
ion of the allies to insist upon adher-
ing to tbs claim and he has come to a
stand in his work for the moment. Mr..
Bowen is believed to have taken sssteps
to acquaint President Castro with the
demands Of the allies, a sure sign that
the demands exceed, in spirit at least,
the concessions that Mr.. Bowen ex-
pected to make.
Ex-Secretary Long Very III.