Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-13
ABANDONS ALL HOPE
No Longer Looks for Aid from the
United States.
HIS REPLY IS NOT TO THE POINT
However, IL t. Regarded Certain that
He Has clothed Minister Bowen
with Sufficient Power to
Make settlement.

NEW YORK. Jan. 12.-Referring to the Sit
uation in Venezuela the London correspond
ent OF the Tribune says the opinion OK
pressed By the leading officials there is that
the blockade has evidently oppressed Castro
and that he has given up all hope Of Ameri-
can Intervention.
The Americans La Guayra correspondent
is authority for the statement that under
the persuasion OF President Castro the for
eign merchants of Caracas have con
tributed" $4,000 to the expense fund OF
Mr.. Bowen on his trip to Washington.
May Raise Blockade.
ROME. Jan. 12.-Negotiations between the
cooperating powers relative to raising the
blockade OF the Venezuelan coast are pro-
ceeding. the main point being the question
Of guarantees for the payment Of claims
should the warships be withdrawn.
The Italian Foreign Office recognizes the
correctness Of the contention in Secretary
Hays last note that a continuance OF the
blockade will only further impoverish
Venezuela and make the settlement Of the
claims more dificult and is DESTROYS Of meet
ing the suggestion Of the United States.
At the same time it cannot act without an
agreement with Germany and Great Britain.
AS a solution Of the question the suggestion
is again mooted whether the United States
must be asked TO guarantee the payment Of
the sums awarded, now that the situation
has SC completely changed.
Castro Puzzles Germany.
BERLIN, Jan. 12.-The Foreign office
here is somewhat puzzled by President
Castro's last note. He avoids specific &C
ceptance Of the powers stipulations and
seemingly leaves the basis for a settlement
as indefinite as in his preceding dispatch,
agreeing generally to arbitration.
The presidents reply has really not ad-
vanced the matter at all, but it is con-
fdently supposed he has given Mr.. Bowen
full power Of attorney.
The State department at Washington has
advised the Foreign office that Mr.. Bowen
has sailed from La Guayra. Nothing more
will be done from this side until Mr.. Bowen
arrives in Washington.
Bowen IL on His Way.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12.-Mr. Bowen be-
fore leaving La Guayra yesterday on
Dolphin, dispatched a short telegram to
the State department announcing his de-
p~arture, but not stating what port he ex-
poets to make in the United States. The
Navy department was informed that the
boat would stop first at Kingston for coal.
Inquiries at the State department as to
whether or not answers had been received
from the European capitals to President
Castro's last communication developed that
the department now has nothing to do, di-
Tectly or indirectly, with the exchanges
which may pass between the powers and
Venezuela. The functions Of the depart
ment are said to have ceased when 1t
brought the parties together and they must
! hereafter communicate directly. Pre-
sumably Mr.. Bowen will be addressed as
the representative of Venezuela. and as
he cannot be reached on shipboard, there
| probably will be a halt to the exchanges.
Advlces received here indicate that while
Mr.. Bowen comes as Venezuela's ommis-
sioner President Castro has made II a con-
dition that the blockade shall be raised be-
fore he proceeds with the preparation of
the protocol for the peaceful adjustment OF
the claims. Moreover. II now develops that
In this request Venezuela is likely TO have
the support of Italy. The United States,
though not a party to the negotiations, Of
l~Ncourse will throw the weight of it's moral
influence on the same side. The italian
government is Influenced in it's course by
| purely economic considerations. 1t does
not desire to crush Venezuela simply 70
procure payment of claims. TIL contin-
uance Of the blockade by sapping the very
life Of the country threatens to make 1t
impossible for Venezuela to pay these claims
within any reasonable, period, so that any
judgment rendered against 1t by private ar
| rangement or by The Hague tribunal would
be hollow and almost without results.