Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-02-06
FROM WASHINGTON.

sonal sympathy between Mr.. Bowen ana
Sir Michael Herbert should threaten 10
prevent speedy settlement of the Vene-
zuelan trouble. 1t has been known Tor
several DAYS that their relations nave
been strained, while those existing pc
tween the Venezuelan representative,
he French Ambassador, Count luadt
and BARON Won Sternberg have been
most cordial. Mr.. Bowen has several
times found it necessary to intimate
that if the foreign representatives per-
sist in useless delays he would have to
call his mission at an end and return to
Venezuela. These warnings were taken
good naturally by the ENJOYS OF Ger
many and Italy who apparently were
pleased to see the responsibility for pro-
gress or its lack thrown upon the head
of the British embassy. Ambassador
Herbert was already chatting under the
false position into which his home gov
eminent had been trust by the astuteness
of Germany which threatens to impair
the much valued friendship OF the
United States and this added to his i'll
health has, it is said, caused him to he
exceedingly irritable, at times. THIS
condition eliminated when Bowen told
him in the note of Monday that the
English people would hardly approve
the methods of their foreign office and
fatty refused preference of English
claims for more than month.
1t is unlikely that the President Will
undertake the task of settling the ques-
ton of preference. To continue the
alliance for six or more years, to permit
these three powers to obtain practically
the monopoly of Venezuela's revenues
or any part of them to the prejudice OF
American claims or to admit into the
law of nations the principle that powers
which employ force to collect private
debts are more worthy than those who
do not, are matters repugnant to the
United States. Secretary Hay, by in
struction Ivy the President, will prob
ably inform Sir Michael that this gov
eminent would prefer that the question
be submitted to the The Hague tribunal II
an amicable agreement cannot be reach
ed with Minister Bowen. With the
yexatious problem of preferential treat
ment out of the way all that would then
remain will be the signing of protocol
providing for the method of adjudicat-
ing the claims and for their payment.
The big fleet of the United States has
been ordered to remain in the neighbor-
hood of the Caribbean until at least
February Is and every precaution is be-
ing taken to prevent American sailors
from meeting those of the allies upon
shore. Another conference of the
representatives Of the allied powers was
held today at the British Embassy. Am
bassador Herbert is i'll and unable to
leave his home.
The differences between Sir Michael
Herbert and Minister Bowen, which have
reached such an acute stage, date from a
time early in the negotiation, when the
British Ambassador called upon the
Venezuelan representative and asked
cash payment for the British
who had been injured by the rev.
olution. Minister Bowen ac,eededs,
aying that Venezuela would pay
any amount that he-Sir Michael-deem-
ed adequate. The British representative
thereupon named S27, 500 and Minister
Bowen at once agreed to the payment OF
this amount Immediately upon the lifting
of the blockade, asking Ambassador
Herbert to convey these terms also to
the representatives of Germany and
Italy. Later at one of the joint confer
ences Ambassador Herbert complained
that Venezuela was not treating the al
lies fairly. Thereupon Mr.. Bowen re-
minded him of the cash payment PROPOSE
ton, as evidence of good faith. Sir
Michael is reported to have flushed and
abruptly turned the subject. After the
conclusion of the conference Count
Quadt returned and inquired about the
cash payment affair, which apparently
was news TO him. When he learned
that Minister Bowen intended to include
Germany and Italy also in the PROPOSE
ton and that each was to get $27, 5Ol
he was indignant that Sir Michael hac
not conveyed to him this information
From that time began the bitterness be
tween Mr.. Bowen and the British Am
blssador
The great necessity for more officer!
is made the key note of the naval ap
preparation bill which also provide, ;
programme for three more first clas
battleships and one armored cruiser
and which was reported to the Hous
by Chairman Foss of the House committe
on naval affairs today. The committe'
in recommending the above naval pro
gramme say they believe that it is il
full accord with the public sentiment o
the American people, who are in favo
of building up a navy that will b
adequate to protect American commerce
maintain a foreign policy, and insur
peace. The Secretary of the Navy ma
build any or all the vessels authorize
in navy yards and shall build them al
in navy yards if it should appear tina
the bidders for the work have entere'
into combination to prevent fair com
petition. The bill carries $l5, $50, So
for the hulls and outfits of vessels here
tofore authorized; ten million dollars to
ward the armament and armor of til
new vessels; and $500, 600 toward tn
completion of the equipment of the ne'
vessels. The bill carries total of $40,
04s. 42O which is So, 142, OS9 below tn
estimates of the Navy Department.
Senator Martin, from the committe
on laims, to whom was referred tn
! IN e. A. ollowaDna of claims of Gel