Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-02
COMPROMISE IS SUGGESTED
Diplomats Propose New Scheme for Settling
Venezuelan Trouble
FRANCE IGNORES ALLIES COMPLETELY
Insists ON ola Right 90 Collect Gus
toms Directly and wTn Thus En-
force Immediate Payment
OF Its Debts.

WASHINGTON, Feb. LA compromise
Of the demand for preferential treatment
In the settlement Of their claims against
Venezuela has been submitted to the allies
by their representatives at Washington,
and while no answers have been rec sived
as yet, there is reason to believe they with
accept.
This compromise was suggested by one
Of the representatives Of the allies here.
and while IL has not formally received the
endorsement Of Mr.. Bowen, II is thought ne
will not oppose II providing the United
States and other nations outside the combi-
nation can not be substantially injured.
PropOse to modify Demand.
The details of the proposition under con-
sideration are not obtainable, but in a gen.
eral way 1t is understood to be a modihca-
tion of the allies contention that they be
recognized as venezuela's preferred claim
ants. The plan suggested provides that
for a short period, perhaps six months or
a year, Great Britain, Germany and Italy
shall receive exclusively 30 per cent Of the
customs receipts Of the ports Of Puerto Ca
bello and La Guayra, and at the end Of this
period ali claimant nations be placed on
the same footing and the 80 per cent be di-
vided among the claimant nations in a
ratio based on the amount Of each claim.
The proposition is considered as a compro-
mise which will allow the allies to with
draw their ships from Venezuelan waters
without a serious loss Of prestige.
Whether the claimant nations outside of
the tripartlte agreement will assent Is not
known. The British ambassador called by
appointment on Secretary Hay this after
noon and 1t is believed that some such
plan as this was under discussion, the
British ambassador wishing TO acquaint
himself with the exact attitude Of the
United States regarding Lord Landowner
contention for preferment.
France May Continue Deadlock.
France has it in its power to continue
the present deadlock. for, while the other
unallied claimants have outstanding
against Venezuela certain unadjusted
claims, all Of the French claims are in a
forward state. France claims that so far
from assisting it in the collection Of its
Venezuelan claims, the blockade, II any
thing, has hampered 1t, in that it closed
all ports to commerce aad prevented the
collection Of the customs receipts.
1t is the hope Of the representatives Of
the allies in Washington that their gov
ernments will not insist that the period
for preferential payments be made so long
db W pICNCht AS htCbptdutt Ny TIC ObHcI
nations. BY his evident desire tG take up
the negotiations at Washington with all
the speed consistent with prudence and
good form. Baron Speck Won ~sternberg has
gained from the Washington oficials the
same respect that made him a diplomatic
f~avorite many years ago. The fact that he
asked permission to waive the customary
presentation ceremonies which ordinarily
occupy several days has convinced Mr..
Bowen, and incidentally, the Washington
government. that Germany wants the Ven
~ezuelan matter settled with all possible
speed. 1880, sfs J.
The italian ambassador. signor Mayor
des Planches, paid an oficial call on Mr..
Bowen this afternoon to assure him that
the representatives OF the allies we're still
continuing TO communicate with their gov
ernments, and hoped to present an an
swer shortly.
Mr.. Bowen returned the call of Baron
Won Sternberg, and remained for some time
discussing the situation. The German
minister also received a call from the
British ambassador today.
The German minister has cabled at length
to Berlin, stating his personal views on
the situation. 1t Is not believed hat he
is averse to accepting the principle Of Mr..
Bowen's proposition.
Francs Takes Firm stand.
CARACAS, Feb. LIN reply to Mr.. Bow
ms inquiry as to what Venezuela intends
to do regarding the demand for preferen-
tial treatment made by the allies, Presl-
dent Castro has t~elegraphed;
The Venezuelan government desires equal
treatment for all the creditor nations In
Europe and America, keeping In mind In
addition it's diplomatic conventions and an
terror stipuiatiens.
The French legation has notified the
Venezuelan government that in virtue OF
the convention of 1867. %rancs was allowed
to collect directly \ part OF the revenues
of several customs houses in Venezuela "a
a guarantee for its diplomatic claims arts
ing out OF the previous revolutions
France. 1t is said, renowned forever by
the convention of 1888 the exercise Of thiG
right on condition that the interest on
this debt should always be regularly paid
AS payments had not been made, France
without asking the authorization OF Ger
many. England and Italy. intended to re.
vive its right Of direct collection,
The French charge d'affaires has paid
/ visits to the foreign ministry. and hal
twice called on President Castro during
| the mast a. h0ura