The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-01-30
W HOPES FOR
EARLY SETTLEMENT
Diplomats Hold Long Confer
ence Over Venezuelan
Situation.
A GUARANTEE OFFERED
But Strict Reticence Is Maintained as
to Its Nature Until the Joint
Reply of the Powers Has
Been Received.

Washington. Jan. PA long con-
ference between Minister Bowen and
Sir Michael Herbert, the British am
bassador, beginning at noon, followed
by further conferences between Sir
Michael, Signor Mayor des Planches.
the Italian ambassador, and Coun
Cuadt, the German charge d'affaires,
indicated diplomatic activity in Wash
ington yesterday over the Venezuelan
situation. All the negotiators declined
to discuss the results of yesterdays
meetings, but general statements by
them on the situation that warrant
the hope Of early relief Is significant
after what has been accomplished 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 Il his
initial request is complied with and the
blockade raised at once. Strict re-
t1cence is maintained by all the nfgo-
tlators as to the nature Of this guaran-
tee, and until the joint reply of tie pow
ers is received this will Tot be dis
closed.
Count Quadt has been advised by the
GerInan foreign office of the reasons for
the commandments of the Sal Carlos
fort. This explanation agrees with that
cabled by the Associated Press from
Berlin.
Allies Are straightforward.
Minister Bowen and also the state de-
partment are greatly impressed with
the attitude OF the representatives in
Washington of the allies throughout
the present negotiations. While acting
at all times urder instructions from
their foreign offices they have ex-
naGifa1 noattnrc n ~. II, ID ~" ~.
straightforward of dealing
with Venezuela's representatives.
This fact has especially appealed to
Washington officials, who, While not
participating in the preliminaries, nee
essarily are vitality interested in their
results.
Although Germany is sending a spe-
cial envoy here to conduct the negotia-
for her, Minister Bowen has taken
to express his absolute salts
with the manner in which
Count Quadt has represented his gov
eminent. The German charge, of
course, has been acting under instruc-
lions from Berlin. but the point was
made by MI. Bowen and by an official
the Washington government that the
of Germany's representative
from the day of Mr.. Bowen's arrival
ana the Judgment he has shown has
lone much to aid in bringing about an
Ultimate solution of the trouble.
Powers Have Close Agreement.
The important fact was developed that
the triple alliance against Venezuela was
Ear more comprehensive than was sup
posed at first. The agreement etwee
Great Britain, Germany and Italy in
volved only a joint initiative action for
the collection of their claims, but each
Of the three powers pledged itself to lift
The blockade simultaneously. This fact
was learned from a European diplomat, |
who is acquainted with the details of the
alliance and explains the fruitless efforts
made by Ambassador Meyer at Rome and
Henry White, the American charge at
London, as we'll as by Mr.. Bowen, acting
Tor Venezuela, to favor the agreement and |
secure the consent at least of one of the
allies to lift the blockade. The reply of
he powers therefore necessarily will be-
Ioint. A favorable answer to Minister
Bowen's last proposition, and it is the be-
lief of all the negotiators tonight, as
veil as of the administrat ton, that the !
will be favorable, will mean the
withdrawal of all the blockad-
ng ships, while declinatlon 10 accept the
offered by Mr.. Bowen must re-
suit in the continuance Of the blockade
oy all three allies.