Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1903-02-01
TO THE HAGUE COURT
Minister Bowen Nay Have TO Refer
the Matter There.
POSITION OF FRANCE.
II l. Thought That Government Has
Already sounded united states
10 Learn How Much There
H. In Common.

washington. Jan 9l.-if Mr. Bowen
cannot adjust venezuelGs claims with
the allies the purpose is TO have Thi
Hague arbitration tribunal pass on
them. But just how the Venezuelan
question Is 20 get before The Hague
tribunal in event Of Bawen's failure
20 adjust the differences Is not quite
clear. II Is inconceiyable TO the ad'
minlsiration that there should be re-
newal OF hostilltles on the Venezuelan
coast. and more putting on screws
no matter how Mr. Bowen's work shall
turn cut 80. The Hague tribunal comes
naturally into sight az q port OF safety.
But 10 place a case before the tribunal
requires the laying down OF certain
basic propositions Of matters 10 be ar
bltrat,d and agreement on the limita-
tlons 70 be placed on the arbitration,
and d Is dlnlcult 20 conjecture how
all hands car be brought together on
the comglcx and difficult propositions
involved. In an arbitration protocol
For instance. one point which uu-
doubtedly would be very difficult 20
agree on would be the results OF the
present blockade and whether or not
Venezuela might properly regard the
damages inflicted on her as Offsets q
the claims Of the powers. Mr. Bowen.
already looking ahead. has prepared
a long list Of such injuries inflicted
upon Venezuela and this list grows
with every days continuance Of the
blockade but from the tone of the
representatives of the allies II is quite
certain they would resist to the Ut
most. the presentations Of any such
Offsets
When this step i taken IL Is cx-
pected that France will make represen-
tatlons az once TO London. Berlin aud
Rome protesting against any lnierfer-
fnff WIZ ffcfiOus arrangements she
has made with Venezuela for the set
slemeat % claims France. may be
Joined In this protest By the other
claimant nations
There g. reason 20 believe that the
French government already has
sounded the United States government
20 learn how much IN common there
may be- between their interests in
Venezuela. n u said that there is q
strOng resemblance between the claims
of the two nations. perhaps enough
20 link them together In resistence
20 any policy on the part Of the al
lies which would tend 10 destroy or
Impair those interests.
For instance. the United States
| through a regular tribunal. and Vene-
/ zuelan claim commission. has secured
| Judgment against Venezuela for a con
| siderable sum % money which Vene.
/ zuela has been paying In insiellmcnts
/ Recently these payments have been
| delayed. and a. the money comes in
large part from the Venezuelan Gus
toms. the United states may have vory
good legal right 90 protest against ans
/ conduct on the part % the allies which
will prevent a. lebtor from meetlnl
/ 81 obligations 90 the United States
! France by treaty ana negotiations ha'
| secured what amounts to q judgment
/ against Venezuela and she claims that
! her debtor must nor Dee destroyed ol
/ NenezuClls means of meeting her pay
/ mpnts 20 France impaired. as will b..
the case by the adoption OF the prefer
eut.al treatment demanded by the al
/ Hos