New-York tribune., 1903-02-10
NEW VENEZUELAN HITCH.
FRESH DEN4NDS Made.
Germany and Italy stu Wanf Pfef-
cycHtiai Treatment.

Washington. Feb. 9.-Although Mr.. Bowen aliu
the other negotiators are closely suaruihe '"1
provisions of the several protocols IL 10 onue'
stood tonight that the demands Which ar
known to exist in the German ana ltailah aStee
nlents as they at present drafted "hich E"'.
Bowen cannot agree to, concern an ihcieaseu
payment bv Venezuela before the handing down
Of The Hagues decision regarding the allles
contention for preferential consideration in the
settlement of their claims. 1t is reported thaI
Germany asks that she receive, in ADDITION 10
the S2I 800 cash Mr. Bowen has agreed to pay, a
certain percentage of the customs receipts until
the remainder of the $4,000 demanded in the
original ultmatum addressed by Germany "
President Castro last fall is paid
Italy. it is believed is insisting on similar
demand though the amount asked for in her
uItfnlatu | was over SJ00OO0. Both Germany
and Italy suggest that this money be paid III
monthly instruments out of the customs duties
but even under this arrangement it would re-
o,ire eight months for the payment Of the entire
sums
1t is the principle, however, TO when MT
Bowen so strenuousiy objects. and which he mas
Informed the German and italian ENJOYS he
cannot subscribe to. Until their protocols are
relieved of these Objectionable demands, Mr.
Bowen says that they must remain unsigned
He contends that Germany and Italy are IN
sisting on preferential treatment, a question
which they agree in their protocols shall go to
The Hague.
It Is the firm opinion Of both the Italian Am
bassador and the German Minister that tue
insertion in their protocols Of these demands is
the result of a serious misunderstanding OH
the part of their Foreign Offices of certain
phases of the negotiations which were supposed
to be settled. They using every effort TO
have this misunderstanding cleared up, ana
have informed Mir. Bowen that they hope to
submit their conventions to him in a few days
Mr. Bowen has made it plain to the allies
representatives that he is willing TO consider
any reasonable requests they may make, but
that he will not yield the extent of signing
the present German and italian protocols
Published reports that Germany included in her
protocol a demand for apology from Pres
ident Castro or his resignation is news TO Mr..
Bowen. and would not be considered.
Reports from Caracas are to the effect that
great suffering rs being inflicted on many 1nno-
cent persons, and the foreign residents are
bearing more than their share of the rigors OF
the blockade because their more complex wants
are. not to he satisfied with the native tood,
W hich suffices for the Nenezuelans. From this
element, therefore, pressure is being brought
to bear on London, Berlin and Rome which
may have some effect in Fastening the negotla-
tions here 1t is believed that Italy is not llkeiy
to prove an obstacle to the winding up OF the
negotiations, for, although naturally desirous OF
securing all the advantages she can, ii is be-
iieved that she will not prove obstinate when
once her allies have harmonized on d plan
which can be accepted by Venezuela
Baron Won Sternburg, the German Minister,
has been active to-day in his efforts to hasten
the negotiations. He spent some time with
the British Ambassador and with Mr.. Bowen.