New-York tribune., 1903-02-07
PRESIDENTS REFUSAL.
Not To BE DralcR Into tic TeRez-
ueidn ContrOUersy.
[nY rELEGnArH re rnE rn1rrNr I


Washington. Feb 6-President Roosevelt has
firmly but coUrteousy refused 70 10 Gravn into
the Venezuelan affair. and for a secon1 time has
indicated els belief that the latest acute dif-
ference arising between the nesotiatcrs in
Washington should go to The Hague. His re-
fusal preserves his original position. At the
time OF his first declination it was believed that
his action had saved The Hague tribunal aud
his present attitude indicates his Enswerving
loyalty to the ideas of that tribunal The Presi-
dent was the more strongly disposed to take
the action he did through the extreme reluc-
tance of Venezuela to modify what is generally
regarded as generous offer to the allies. and
one liberal could be made. considering that
country's obligations to the other creditor
tions. AS result of the Presidents decision.
the negotiations between the allies and the ven-
ezUeIan representative. which had been inter-
rupted will be resumed, and there is every indi-
cation that protocols raising the blockade and
referring the question of preferential treatment
to The Hague will be signed within a few days.
In point Of fact, three different protocols will
be signed Each of the allies will present diff
feTent conditions and the documents may differ
largely. The protocols are already prepared. but
have not yet been submitted to Minister Bowen.
The signing of the protocols will be followed
at once by the raising of the blockade. pro-
vision for this action being made in the various
protocols
The appeal to the President to settle the
question of preferential trea tment, the point OF
difference between the allies and Minister
Bowen, made by Sir Michael Herbert to
Secretary Hay this morning. and laid be-
fore the Cabinet at it's meeting. The President
decided that the consent of Minister Bowen
necessary, and the Minister went to tine
White House and had a conference with the
President Later President Roosevelt consid-
cred the proposition. and decided to decline it.
This throws the negotiations back 10 their
former status. Minister Bowen proposed on
Monday night, after rejecting the proposal OF
| the allies for preferential treatment to the
tent of two-thrds of the 80 per cent offered by
Venezuela for the liquidation Of all foreign
debts. that the entire question Of preferential
treatment be sent TO The Hague.
BOWEN AND SIR MICHAEL HERBERT.
Despite various reports to the contrary ths
negotiations were never formally broken of,
and Sir Michael Herbert to-day had COnfer%
ence with Minister Bowen. as did Baron Won
sternburg The British Ambassador is Con~
fined to his house with cold. and accordingly
saw Mr. Bowen at the British Embassy Baron
Won sternburg. the other hand. called on Mr.
Bowen. and it is understood that the Italian
Ambassador will visit him tomorrow morning
Sir Michael Herbert has shown considerable
irritation at Mr.. Bowen's methods. which have
been termed in some quarters shirt sleevet
diplomacy" In addition to his dissatisfaction
with Mr. Bowen manne-. Sir Michael has
charged the representative Of Venezuela vith
having violated diplomatic etiquette in giving
to the press the contents of his note i'm respOnss
10 the demand OF the allies FOR preferential
treatment Sir Michael presented this note or
behalf OF the allies. and received verbal re-
lection Later Minister Bowen dispatched a.
note to the British Embassy formally rejecting
the proposition. In this note he said:
II will be the source of the greatest surpriss
and regret when it becomes known here that
Great Britain has even proposed continuing
the alliance with Germany and Italy a mOmenr
longer than she muSS.
BOWEN MODIFIED HIS NOTE
The British Ambassador asserts that this note
was given out before he received it, This in,
terpretation Of the demand for preferential
treatment caused great astorshment on both
sides of the Atlantic. and the British Ambassa-
dor was directed by his government 10 demand
that it be cut out by Minister Bowen before tho
note was transmitted TO the other powers Min
lister Bowen granted this demand. but the pub
lication OF the original note in Europe and the
United States had already occurred. and Sir
Michael called at once on Secretary Hay ard
assured him that no such intention existed
Still more irritation is said TO have been
caused by a misunderstanding over the offer ot
Minister Bowen to Sir Michael to pay $1,000
in settlement of certain claims The British
demand for this payment made early in tbs
negotiations and Mr.. Bowen allowed the Brit
ish Government to decide the amount OF the
payment. He then requested Sir Michael Her
bert to inform his colleagues OF the offer. and
also 10 tell them that a similar sum would be
given to them This information did not reach
the German and Italian representatives. and sr
a later conference when all three were present.
a reference by Mr. Bowen to this offer brought
ont the fact that the German and Italian repre-
ssntatives had not heard Of il. Immediately
after this conference Count Won Quadt returned
and received an explanation from Minister
Bowen. and a formal tender OF the payment.
This explains the charges made earlier in the
week from Berlin that Minister Bowen enc
aeavo-fng 10 play the allies OF against ore an
ether bv giving better terms 10 one power than
10 the others.
A CLOSED INCIDENT.
--hs Incident is now regarded as closed, par .
ticuIarIy as the Presidents refusal 20 act makes
necessary a return TO negotiations with Minister
Bowen Indications tonight lead TO the con-
clus;ou that the failure 10 the Presidents
as arbiter will bring the matter 10 speedy con-
clusion Every point except that Of Ireferen-
tiaI treatment has been decided. Baron Won
Sternburg had brief conference with Minister
PRINCETON.
one OF the newest things at this university 10
NF Aful lfRara ~