Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-20
Arrival of Minister Bowen
From Venezuela
TO SETTLE DISPUTE
ALLIES OPPOSED TO A JOINT COM
MISSION.
The Claims Will Be Discussed With
the Powers Representatives
Separately.

United States Minister and Mrs. H. W.
Bowen reached this city shortly after noon
today from Charleston. their train being
five hours late. Their nephew, Mr.. Hamil-
ton Holt of New York. met them at the
station, and the party proceeded at once to
the Arlington where the minister has es-
tablished headquarters. Mr. Bowen was
naturally averse to discussing the details
of his mission until after he has presented
his powers to Secretary Hay. He expects
to call upon the President this afternoon.
and, also upon the Secretary.
He said he was to represent Venezuela
on the commission which would prepare
the plan for arbitration of the difficulty
between that country and the European
powers. Mr.. Bowen explained that he was
not an attorney for Venezuela, and was
not to be remunerated for his services by
the Venezuelan government. He said he
was acting at the request Of Venezuela and
from courtesy to the government, and at
the desire of the United States government
in the hope that his undertaking would
bring about an early settlement Of the trou-
BILE
The minister said that the Venezuelan
government had allowed 5000 for the ex-
penses of his mission. which he would ac-
count for in the usual form. and that be-
sides this there would be expense to
Venezuela for his services.
Hopes to End Dispute.
Minister Bowen hopes that the powers
with which President Castro has clothed
him will make possible a final adjustment
of the case at Washington. He has come
to Washington as the envoy of Venezuela
on a special mission, namely to conduct
the negotiations on behalf of that govern
ment with the representatives of the allied
powers which, it is hoped, will result in a
final settlement of the dispute, thus making
unnecessary the services of The Hague
tribunal. Objection to The Hague is shared
by all the parties concerned, not on prin-
cipe, but because of the cumbersome ma
chinery of the tribunal, which would be the
cause of considerable delay before verdict
in the Venezuelan case could be handed
down.
Joint Commission Opposed.
1t is the understanding that the repre-
sentatives Of Great Britain and Italy do
not feel it incumbent upon them to await
the coming Of Baron Speck Won Sternberg
before beginning their conferences with Mr..
Bowen. Neither the London or the Rome
foreign office is inclined to favor the set
thing of their claims by joint commission
terested in the claims of each other or of
Germany. The plan as outlined and which
will be submitted to Minister Bowen con-
templates the adjustment of the claims of
each power by its representative with Min
lister Bowen. In view of the alliance of
Great Britain. Germany and Italy for the
collection of the Venezuelan claims, it will
of course be desirable that the representa-
tives Of those powers at Washington shall
act as far as is possible in accord, but they
are averse to passing upon the claims Of
each other and will confine their joint ac-
tons to informal conferences as to the
methods of procedure to be followed in the
settlement of the claims.
1t has been agreed that the claims of pri-
vate citizens for injuries suffered in Ven
ezuela shall be the first to be adjusted
These claims In the case of Germany are
believed to aggregate nearly half million
dollars, while those of Great Britain are
between 100000 and 100000. The powers
will insist upon an early settlement Of thsse
obligations. Great Britain and Italy are
prepared to accept reasonable guarantee
for prompt payment. All idea that the
United States Will become surety for these
obligations has been dismissed. An at
tempt will be made to reach some agree
ment by which these claims may be paid
out of the customs collections of Venezuci1
or by a loan raised by the Venezuelan gov
eminent. 1t developed today that cash
payment would not be demanded so far as
Great Britain and Italy are concerned,
these powers having expressed a DISPOSE
ton to show liberality in the collection of
the indemnity provided satisfactory guar
antee is given by President Castro.
The Method of Procedure.
AS to the method Of procedure prelimi-
nary to the opening Of the negotiations
here, much will depend upon Minister Bow
ems wishes. The representatives of the
powers have been instructed that the first
move along that line Is to come from Ven
ezuela's representative. 1t Is expected,
therefore, that Mr.. Bowen, acting In the
capacity Of Venezuela's special envoy, will
call at the State Department, present his
credentials and request Secretary Hay to
communicate to the representatives of
Great Britain, Germany and Italy his readi-
ness to enter upon the negotiations While
the State Department has made 1t plain to
the powers that the United States does not
intend to take hand in the Washington
conferences 1t has all along expressed its
readiness to use it's good offices toward
reaching an adjustment of the dispute and
will therefore act as the medium of COM
munication between the parties in interest
The Blockade.
AS to the raising of the blockade, the al
lied powers have not committed themselves
as yet. To do SO, 1t is argued. would be to
anticipate such a request on the part of
Minister Bowen. and as one diplomat put
1t today. I'VE do not intend to cross that
bridge until We come to it, 1t can be
said however that intimations have reach
ed Washington that Italy and Great Brit
ain are not inclined to insist on continual
ton of the blockade after the opening of
the negotiations. Their alliance with Ger
many however, will neceSsitate conference
with the Berlin foreign Office before agree
ing to withdraw their ships from the Ven
ezuelan coast. Germany will be asked to
join in such action. provided Mr. Bowen
presents that request, and the hope Is ex-
pressed that the Berlin government will see
Its way clear to consent to do So
Senator Fairbanks Reelected.