The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-30
Influential Pressure Brought to Bear
ON the Powers to Induce Them
to Back Down.
PROMISE MADE TO FRANCE
THAT HER CLAIMS WOULD NOT BE
Disseminated AGAINST.
senators Of Opinion that Ii Should he
Made Plain that Germany Cannot
"BIun" the United States.

WARRINGTON, Jan. 29.-The Venezuelan
fetal representatives are awaiting with
some concern the developments OF the next
forty-eight hours. No final answer has
come to Minister Bowen's proposition Of
fering a guarantee as demanded by the al
lies. as a preliminary to the raising of the
blockade and the relief of The unfortunate
people and government OF Venezuela
The contention of the three allies that
they shall be given preferential treatment
I'm the settlement and payment OF their
claims against all the other seven credi-
tor nations is the point on which the ne
gotiations now hang fire.
Minister Bowen is insistent that the allies
shall not have preferential treatment in the
matter of the payment of the claims, and
in all his conferences with the representa-
tives of the European governments here
he has made his position very clear. 1t is
known that he has declined to modify his
demands I'm this respect. Pressure along
TO impress the allies with the justice of MIR.
Bowen's contention.
The rejection OF his proposition for the
treatment of all the creditors alike. IL is be-
lieved here. would result in throwing the
to The Hague tribunal, before which
body all the nations having claims against
footing II is known that the allies would
prefer that this should not be done. as
consideration of the claims by that body
would entail much delay in their settle
ment. and there are other features which
make 1t desirable to the allies that the
claims be settled outside of that body. One
of them Is that. IL they came before The
Hague. Venezuela would have the right to
set up counter claims as an Offset to those
presented by the allies These. it is said,
might reduce considerably the amount of
money to be paid by Venezuela.
For these and other reasons it is not sur
prising to well-informed persons here that
the European governments are taking time
to consider fully their reply to Mr.. Bowen's
swer. At the same time. the fact that they
have not agreed upon their answer caused
an uneasy feeling in Washington and some
apprehension to what the future may
bring forth. Minister Bowen continues
sition. He realizes that the question is an
important one to the nations involved, and
Is not unwilling that they should take time
IN he full In, 10 70
hour tonight the allies representatives
had received no answer from their govern
ments. and there was no occasion for them
to see Mr.. Bowen.
IT Is learned that on the second day after
his arrival here Minister Bowen informed
the French diplomatic representative in
Washington that the French claims would
be treated on the same basis as the claims
OF the allies. and would be taken up after
the blockade was raised Relying on this
assurance. the French government has re-
mained INACTIVE, but II Is stated that should
the allied powers be granted preferential
treatment France would take steps at once
to protect her Venezuelan interests and
would make representations on the subject
TO the foreign Offices at London, Berlin and
Rome.
Two courses are open now to Mr.. Bowen
and II probably will be for President Cas-
tro. OF Venezuela, to elect which he
shall follow. He may, in his response
10 the other claimant nations than the
allies. take the opportunity to inform the
world that Venezuela yields TO overpower-
Ing force. and that IL she cannot meet their
ciaims they must reckon with the allies
themselves. The other course is for him
10 declare that his mission has failed that
he cannot cone TO a reasonable understand
ing with the allies because OF their uncom-
promising attitude, and. therefore the case
must go TO The Hague tribunal for ad-
justment.
VeneLuela's plight at this moment lies
In the fact that she Is between two fires
The allies demand preferential treatment
while France and other creditors look &c
Venezuela for fair treatment, pointing out
that TO discriminate against them. I'm view
OF their lenient attitude. would not be fair
treatment
Count Quadt. the German charge daf.
faires was the only representative of the
allies 10 Mr.. Bowen this forenoon The
Venezuelan matter was referred 10 and
the department was informed of the last
report from Berlin regarding the Panther
episode.