The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-26
REPORT IN ROME SAYS
 RELIEF WILL COME TODAY
uurlnu Ills Work Mir. Bowen Has Dealt With the Representatives of the Powers Separately.
 All Ready to Settle.
Rome, January 25.-The Patria as- serts that the Venezuelan blockade will be raised tomorrow.

serts that the Venezuelan blockade will be raised tomorrow.
 Washington, January 25.-A long confer ence between Minister Bowen and Sir Michael Herbert, the British ambassa- dor, beginning at noon, followed by fur ther conferences between Sir Michael, Signor Mayor DesPlanches, the Italian ambassador, and Count ouadt, the Ger man charge d'affaires, indicated dipio- matic activity in Washington today over the Venezuelan situation. All the nego- tiators decline to discuss the results or today's meeting, but general statements by them that the situation tonight war rants hope of early relief is significant of what has been accomplished in the last twenty-four hours.
 By this tune the London, Berlin and Rome foreign offices are in possession or MT. Bowen's third proposition, stating the nature of the guarantee he Is pre- pared to offer for Venezuela if his initial request is complied with and the blockade raised at once. Strict reticence is main tained by all the negotiators as to the nature of this guarantee, and until the
  will not be disclosed.
 Count Quadt has been advised by the German foreign office of the reasons for the bombardments of the San Carlos forts This explanation agrees with that csbled by the Associated Press from Der lin.
 Minister Bowen and the state depart ment are greatly impressed with the at- titude of the representatives in Wash x.af ktaA ent negotiations.
 While acting at all times under instruc- tions from their foreign offices, they have expedited matters considerably by their straightforward manner of dealing with Venezuela's representative. This fact especially appealed to the Washington of ficials, who, while not participating in the preliminaries, are vitally interested in their results. Although Germany is send- ing a special envoy here to conduct the negotiations for her, Minister Bowen has taken occasion to express his absolute satisfaction with the manner in which Count Quadt has represented his govern ment. This point was made today by MT. Bowen and by an official of the Washington government that the activity and judgment of Germany's representa- tive has done much to aid in bringing about an ultimate solution of the trouble.
 Conferences Today.
 Tomorrow there will be conferences be- tween all of the negotiators, but no de- finite action Is expected regarding the blockade before Tuesday or Wednesday. Throughout his negotiations here MT. Bowen has dealt separately with the for eign envoys while they have kept in con- stant touch with one another. There has been no joint action.
 The important fact was developed to- trfr, alIi a ina ezuela was far more comprehensive than was supposed at first. The agreement be- tween Great Britain, Germany and Italy involved not only a joint initiative action for the collection of their claims, but each of the three powers pledged itself to lift the blockade simultaneously.
 This was learned tonight from an Euro pean diplomat and explains the fruitless efforts made by Ambassador Meyer at Rome, and MT. Henry White, the Amer ican charge at London as well as by MT. Bowen, acting for Venezuela to favor the agreement and secure the consent at least of one of the allies to lift the block ade. The ironclad nature of the alliance already has been communicated to the state department by Charge White, and this was responsible for the grave ap- prehensions heretofore felt regarding the outcome of the dispute. The reply of the
 
 joint A favorable answer to Minister Bowen's last proposition, and 1t is the belief of all the negotiations tonight, as well as of the administration, that the answer will be favorable, will mean the immediate withdrawal of all the blockad- ing ships. while declination to accept the guaranty offered by Minister Bowen must result in the continuance of the blockade by all the three allies Agreement will be Reached.
 Brussels, January 25.-A dispatch to the Petit Bleu from Berlin states that an agreement in the Venezuelan question will be reached next week and that a commission appointed by the United States government will be charged with the administration of all the marine cus- toms officers of Venezuela
 orman Press on Situation.
 Berlin, January 25.-The German press discusses calmly the bombardment of San Carlos. The leading newspapers here and in the provincial cities publish teiegrams from New York reproducing the views held there and giving the supposed attr- tude of the United States government in reeretting the bombar dment the loss of life 1t caused and Its consequences. .'he newspapsrs taxe the position that if the United States put itself in the place of Germany 1t would see that the commander Of the Panther, unless the blockade were to become a mere pretcxt was obliged to enter the lagoon of Maracaibo and that the action cf the fort and the subse ouent cooperation of the Vineta with the Panther was an inevitable consequence.
 The newspapers attach some import ance to President Castros acts Tn throw ing ridicule on the blockade.
 The foregoing statement is summary of the editorials published in the National Zeitung, the Pest, the Bosrsen Zeitung and other representative organs.
 Pretend Advancing.
 Tangier. January 25.-News from Fez dated January 21 states that the Pre- tender Blu Hamara was then advancing at the head of large forces. and had ar rived at point twenty-five miles from Fez A decisive battle was expected, and sho1ild fhe Sulfan,s main army. which Is