Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-02-05
ULTIMATUM TO ALLIES GIVEN BY
BOWEN.
Proposition Is Turned
DOwn...If Allies insist the Hague
That Point. .COnferenc with Hay
Previous to Issue.

Washington, Feb. 3.-HerOert W.
Bowen, Venezuela's representative in
the negotiations vt Washington for
settlement OF the claims against that
country, has sent, through the British
ambassador here, what amounts practi-
cally to an ultimatum to the allied
powers of Great Britain, Germany and
Italy regarding their insistence for pref
erential treatment in the settlement OF
their claims against Venezuela. This
note, which the British ambassador re-
ceived shortly before 8 O'Clock last
night, was cabled at once to London,
copies of it being transmitted to the
Italian and German embassies for
transmission to Rome and Berlin. 1t
is in reply to the proposition submitted
at Joint conference of the negOtiators
yesterday afternoon by the British am
bassador, urging that the allied powers
be allowed two-thirds of thirty per cent
of the customs receipts of the ports of
La Guayra and Puerto Cabello, and
that the United States and other claim
ant nations, France. Belgium, Holland,
Denmark, Spain, and Norway and Swe-
den content themselves with the re.
naming one-third of this percentage;
that is, 10 per cent of the receipts Of
these ports.
In the note received by the British
ambassador from Mr.. Bowen last night,
the latter refuses point blank the prop.
osition for 20 and 10 per cent division,
on the ground that to recognize the
principle it embodies would be abso.
lutely offensive to modern civilization.
In view of the fact that the negotiators
are agreed IN all save the question of
preferential treatment the ambassador
is informed that Venezuela has decided
to submit that question to IL Hague
tribunal. The acceptance of this prop
osition, Venezuela contends, carries
with it a raising of the blockade, the
general understanding being that the
blockade would end wh'n the negotia-
tors at Washington had reached an
agreement.
1t is understood that in refusing this
last proposition submitted by the Brit
ism ambassador on behalf of the other
allies, Mr.. Bowen takes the ground that
he cannot accept in principle the con-
tention that blockades and lombard
ments of forts and the consequent kill
ing Of helpless men, women and chill
dren entitle any power to preferential
treatment at the hands of a civilized
nation. 1t is claimed that should the
peace powers agree to such principle,
they would incorporate in the law of
nations doctrine in conflict with the
tenets of all modern ethics.
Action of British Denounced.
Venezuela has taken special excep-
ton to the action of the British govern
ment in initiating this last proposition,
by which Great Britain can hold fast
to Germany and Italy in their alliance
against Venezuela until the last cent of
the claim is paid. The prediction is
made in her response that surprise and
regret of the keenest sort will be felt
throughout the Americas when it is
known that Great Britain has even pro-
posed continuing her present alliance
with Germany and Italy one moment
longer than is necessary, particularly in
view of her previous representations to
the effect that she was anxious to end
the Venezuelan dispute and call off the
alliance at the earliest possible time.
In suggesting that the question Of pref
erential payment % referred to the
Hague, it is understood that Mr. Bow
en- does SO in view OF the fact that the
question is the only one that remains
in DISPUTE, The allies are advised that
Venezuela is DESTROYS that all negotia-
tors shall stand by what has already
been agreed upon.
Some significance may attach to the
note, in view of the fact that before
dispatching it to the British embassy.
Mr.. Bowen was in conference with Sec
rotary Hay.