The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-02
France Takes Steps Apart from the
Allies, Adding a New Complication
The Days Other Developments.

WASHINGTON, Feb. propositions in
volving compromise of the allied powers
contention for preferential treatment in
the settlement of their claims against Ven-
ezuela have been submitted to the govern
ments of Great Britain, Germany and
Italy by their representatives at Washing
ton, and while answers have been
ceived as yet, there is reason for the be-
lief that the allies will see way to accept
the latest proposition. This compromise
has been suggested by one of the represent
atives of one of the allies, and while it has
not formally received the Endorsement of
Minister Bowen, ii is felt that he will not
enter serious objections to it's adoption,
provided the United States and the other
claimant nations outside the alliance can
be convinced that their own interests in
Venezuela will not be substantially injured
by yielding to a plan which seems to offer
solution of the present serious hitch in
the Washington negotiations.
The details of the proposition now under
consideration by the three allied nations
are not obtainable, but in a general way
ii is understood to be modification of the
allies contention that they be recognized
as Venezuea's preferred claimants in the
payment of the indemnity. The plan sug-
gested provides that for a short period,
perhaps six months or a year, Great Brit
ain, Germany and Italy shall receive ex-
clusively 30 per cent. of the customs re-
ceipts of the ports of Porto Cabello and
Laguayra, and that at the end of this pc
riod, the exact length of which is yet open
to decision. all the claimant nations be
placed on the same footing, and at the ex-
piration of that time the 80 per cent. of the
receipts of these two ports be divided among
all the claimant nations in ratio based on
the amount of each nations claim.
The plan is regarded as compromise
which Will enable the allies to withdraw
their ships from Venezuelan waters without
a serious loss of prestige. Whether the
claimant nations outside the tripartite
agreement will assent to this scheme is not
yet known. The British ambassador called
by appointment on Secretary Hay this
afternoon and it is believed that such a
plan as this was under discussion, the Brit
ish ambassador wishing to acquaint him.
self with the exact attitude of the United
States regarding Lord Lansdowne's con-
tention for preferential treatment for the
allies
France has ii i'm her power to continue
the present deadlock in the Washington ne
gotiations. For while the other unallied
claimants have outstanding against Vene-
zuela certain unadjusted claims. all of the
! French claims are i'm a very forward state.
France contends that so far from assist
| ing her in the collection of her Venezuelan
| claims the blockade. If anything, has ham,
| pered her in that 1t has closed all the Vene-
zuelan ports to commerce and has pre-
vented, for the time being, the collection of
| the 13 per cent. of the receipts pledged her
| by treaty.
+, 1t is the hope of the representatives of
| the allies at Washington that in case their
governments accept in principle the kinds
/ of compromise suggested, they will not
| insist that the period for preferential pay
ments be made so long as to prevent it's ac-
| ceptance by the other claimant nations.
| Mr.. Bowen has been assured that the
| representatives of the allies here will give
him a final answer at the earliest possible
| moment. Meantime exchanges are still in
| progress between the allied governments
and their respective embassies here in the
effort iS to agree , on plan OF settlement that
| and to the octagonal alliance of France,
| Belgium, Spain. Denmark. Holland, Nor
| way Sweden and the United States.
BY his evident desire TO take up the
negotiations at Washington with all the
| speed consistent with prudence and good
form. Baron Speck Won Sternberg has
gained from the Washington officials the
| same favor that made him popular men,
ber of the diplomatic corps here many years
| ago The fact that he asked permission to
| waive the customary presentation cere-
monies which ordinarily are for several
| days has convinced Mr.. Bowen. and Incl
dentally the Washington government. that
! Germany wants the Venezuelan question
settled with all possible dispatch.
The Italian ambassador. Signor Mayor
! des Planches, paid an informal call on Mr.
| Bowen this afternoon to assure the latter
| that the representatives of the allies still
were communicating with their govern
! ments and hoped To present an answer in a
| few days Signor Mayor des Planches aft.
| erward called at the British embassy.
Minister Bowen returned the call OF
| Baron Sternberg at o'clock this after.
noon. and remained for some time dis
| cussing the situation. The German minis
| ter also received call from the British
| ambassador to-day The German minister
| has cabled at length to Berlin stating bis
personal views on the situation. 1t is no,
believed that he is averse to an acceptance
in principle of Mr.. Bowen's proposition