The Washington times., 1903-02-27
Zeal in Behalf of Venezuela
Embarrassing Here-Al-
legged German Demand
Latest of Several Incl
dents DiStastefuI.
Suggestion That Draft for
S27,5oO, Payable March
IS. Be Deposited, Given
Absurd Coloring-Larger
Claim Settled.

The recent demand made by Baron
Won Sternburg upon Minister Bowen for
the immediate payment of s27. 500" and
which Mr. Bowen, II was said. Instantly
and Indignantly rejected" turned out
subsequently to have been nothing more
than suggestion" That. at any rate.
is the German version OF the transaction.
and so far has not been contradicted by
Mr.. Bowen
The incidents which led uD 70 this
alleged demand" :" and In a measure ex-
plain II, are very simple and harmless.
For one reason or another, Mr. Bowen.
who has seen ht TO take the newspaper
correspondents into his confidence
never. however. saying anything that
might have contributed to a speedy set
tlement of the difficulty. but. on the
contrary. doing everything to inhame
public opinion and 10 keep himself In
the glare OF a crimson limelight-has
taken excellent care to suppresT or
omit TO state what well-informed people
know to have been the facts.
Erroneous Impression Created.
week or two ago The Times ex-
planned matter which Mr. Bowen. in
mood OF disingenuOusness, had attempt
ed 10 surround with a certain amount OF
mystery. namely. the demand OF the Ger
man government that 81 be accorded the
same treatment as Great Britain. AcknowI-
edging the justice of this demand in a
note. dated February 5. Mr.. Bowen
sought, subsequensly-at least he per-
mitted the correspondents. IL. indeed. he
did not directly incite them-to create
the impression that this demand was
new and unheard Of: that It amounted
practically. on the part OF the German
government. to e breaking Of It's wo-
aud disavowal OF the acts OF its q.
credited representative here
The absurdily, to call It by r.
rame. of such contention. is
ne fact that at the time NJ,
made it he knew. except he suh
aphasia, that there was in poss
Count Quadt. the German cha -
fsires previous TO the arrival s,-f
Won Sternbarg, q document s-sr83
Bowen himself. acknowledging, L,7F
the justice OF claim for about -
but likewise containing a promise
tais sum without further referen
any tribunal whatsoever, and 10
nish security, satisfactory to Berlin.
able TO make a cash payment.
This agreement bore date OF January
- and with it in his pocket it is mani
fcstly grOtesque 10 suppose that the
representative OF the German govern
ment should have exchanged for prom
ise to pay S340 600 another 10 pay only
1890 Nor is ii credible that. under
these circumstances, he should at any
time have created an impression in Mr..
Bowen's mind that the later agreement
superseded the earlier.
For reasons. therefore, not difficult TO
understand. Mr. Bowen continued his
receptions to newspaper men, held regu-
lsrIy in She lobby of the Arlington Hotel
every evening, 20 fire the imagination OF
his audience and thereby mislead the
public at large.
Larger Claim Already Paid.
In further support OF the absolute
fairness OF this view, and in order TO
correct erroneous impressions with ref
erence 10 this newest demand" for an
immediate cash payment OF the S27, 500
which, under the terms of the protocol.
is not due until March Is. IL can now be
stated that drafts for the payment OF
the larger claim-involving about S5sO.-
OOO--were handed TO the representative
OF the German government some time
ago and are at the present writing held
for safe-keeping in New York. This is
known to Mr.. Bowen
II is also known to Mr.. Bowen that
the so-caIled demand" for the payment
OF the SCI 800 was nothing more than
suggestion. originating. probably, in
Berlin and that in order TO close up
the financial part OF the settlement, IL
was proposed that a draft. payable on
March Il. either in Caracas or any other
place agreeable TO the Venezuelan gov
ernment. be similarly deposited
The demand" involved no cash pay
ment. and no bad faith on the part OF
Germany. IL sought simply TO transfer
the transactions from the diplomatic 10
the commercial field.
May Not Return to Caracas.
Dir. Bowen's mistaken zeal in behalf
OF Venezuela. and his in-judged efforts
70 attain his object by arousing public
opinion against the government with
which the United States is maintaining
friendly relations. have not passed IN
noticed at the State Department. Nor
is it denied in high quarters that his
course has at times seriously embar-
rassed the Government. II is for this
reason that Mr. Bowen is not only not
! likely TO be permitted TO 30 TO The
| Hague as the representative OF the Ven
ezuelan government. though the latter
/ is anxious for him to be placed in charge
of its interests before the international
/ tribunal, but that IL is doubtful whether
/ il viii be deemed wise 20 send him back
/ 20 Caracas as minister Of the United