The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-04
Bowen Refuses Absolutely to
 Change the Protocol
LEAVES ALL ID TIE HAGUE
Minister Will Not Agree for Venezuela to Pay for Blockade in Case Tri- bunal Decides Against the
 Preferential Treatment.

Washington, April 3.-A joint confer ence between MT. Bowen and the British and Italian ambassadors and the German first secretary was held at the British embassy today. MT. Bowen presented his reply to the amendments which the allies had proposed to his original draft of the protocol. He accepted several changes of phraseology, but informed the other nego- tiators that under no circumstances would he accept the insertion of a new article providing that Venezuela should pay the costs of the blockade In case the decision of The Hague be adverse to preferential treatment His refusal on this point was absolute.
 It was agreed that MT. Bowen's ob- jections and arguments should be eabled at once to London, Berlin and Rome.
 The following is the text of the article and draft of the protocol as submitted by MT. Bowen and nine-tenths of which the allies have accepted.
 Article 1. The question as to whether or not Italy, Great Britain and Germany are entitled to preferential treatment in the payment of their claims against Ven ezuela. by reason of the fact that they blockaded the ports of Venezuela so as to compel her to make a settlement with them, shall be submitted for final decision to the tribunal at The Hague. Venezuela having agreed to set aside 90 per cent of the customs revenues of LaGuayra and Puerto Cabello for the payment of the claims of all nations against Venezuela ha fri at TJao ono shall dppfda how the said revenues shall be distributed among the said nations and it's decision shall be final.
 Article 2. The facts on which shall depend the decision of the questions stated in article 1 shall be ascertained in such manner as the tribunal may determine.
 Czar of Russia Selected.
 Article 8. The czar of Russia shall be invited to name and appoint three arbi- trators to constitute the court that is to determine and settle the questions sub mitted to it under and by virtue of this protocol. The court shall meet on Sep tember 1. 1903 and shall render it's deeis- ion within six months thereafter.
 Article 4. The proceedings shall be carried on in the English language. Ex- cept as herein otherwise stipulated, the procedure shall be regulated by The Hague convention of July 20, 1S99
 Article 5. The court shall decide where, how and by whom the costs of this arbi- tration shall be paid
 Article 6. Any nation having claims against Venezuela may join as party in the arbitration provided for by this protocol"
 A number of amendments submitted by the allies to the protocol drawn by MT. Bowen are verbal, or are of minor im- a..to md ar a Bowen.
 MT. Bowen strenuously objected to add ing to article 1 of his protocol the amend ment proposed by the allies as follows:
 '1n deciding the question of preferen- tial or separate treatment to be granted the blockading powers the tribunal shall have regard to the resources of Vene- zuela other than the 90 per cent customs revenues so set aside, which may be available for the claims of other powers
 He also opposed inserting the following as a new article, to be designated Arti- cle II:
 If preferential or separate treatment Is not given to Great Britain Germany or Italy, the tribunal may consider whether any and what compensation should be made by Venezuela out of the 30 per cent of customs revenues set aside to these powers for the expense they ldNt iiNhiANb III NSitit'NtADii "'N' MY blockade"
 Bowen's Objections.
 Mir Bowen, in letter 10 the British ambassador, thus stated his objections to these two important proposed amend ments:
 "They constitute new demands or claims consequently have no place In this protocol or In this controversy.
 You are precluded from gaining recog- milton or favor for them by article of the British protocol of February 13, 1903
 By terms of the British protocol of February 13, 1903. the only questions that are to be submitted to The Hague tri, bunal, are those relating to the distribn- ton of the said 90 per cent and for pre- ferential or separate treatment.
 Tn as much as the German and Italian protocols of February 13, 1903. contain the same provisions in regard to this mat ter as the said British protocol, and as all three of the said protocols are duly signed and sealed. they must be consd- cred binding on all the parties thereto"
 In another amendment proposed the allies would have limited the arbitration tribunal somewhat in the matter of costs, and MT. Bowen objected to it. The peace powers have been given copies of MT. Bowen's note in answer to the allies pro- posed amendments.