New-York tribune., 1903-01-20
PL.4N FOR SETTLEMENT.
Each Pozcer to Treat Separately
uith Minister BOzCen.
Rx The Associated PressD

washfngton, Jan. 19-Secretary Hay called
on the President early to-day. He also saw Sec
retary Moody. and il is supposed that these talAS
had reference to the Venezuelan situation whleh
is regarded as approaching another Crisis ac-
cording 10 the news dispatches from Maracaloo-
The officials here deeply regret the occurrence
of any incident which would give rise to neeo-
less friction just as Mr. Bowen Is ABOUT TO df
rive in Washington to take up the negotiations
with the allies Cor a settlement of the Nenez-
uelan trouble. The officials here feel reasonably
confident that Mr. Bowen is clothed by Presi-
dent Castro with sufficient authority to make
whatever pledges are necessary to insure the re-
movaI of the blockade. Minister Bowen is ex-
pected in Washington tomorrow.
1t is understood that the representatives or
Great Britain and Italy do not feel it incum-
bent on them TO await the coming of Baron
Speck Won Sternburg before beginning their
conferences with Mr.. Bowen. Neither the Lon
don nor the Rome Foreign Office is inclined
to favor a settlement Of their claims by JOINT
commission the point being made that they are
not interested in the claims of each other or
of Germany The plan outlined, and which will
be submitted to Minister Bowen, contemplates
the adjustment of the claims of each power by
its representative with Minister Bowen, each
nation taking up its claims separately, but
along the same broad general lines of pro
ceGure.
1t has been agreed that the claims of private
citizens for injuries suffered in Venezuela shall
be the first to be adjusted. These claims, in the
case of Germany, are believed to aggregate
nearly S5O0O00. while those of Great Britain
are between 100000 and 100000. The powers
will insist on an early settlement of these obI-
gaticns and so far as Great Britain and Italy
are concerned they are prepared to accept
reasonable guarantee for prompt payment All
hope that the United States intends standing
surety for these oblga tions has been dismissed.
but an effort will be made to secure them
either on the customs collections of Venezuela
or the proceeds of a Venezuelan loan. A cash
payment will not be demanded far as Great
Britain and Italy are concerned provided
satisfactory guarantee IS offered by Castro the
method of procedure in settling the claims VIII
not be decided until Minister Bowen's arrival,
as the represent atives of the powers have been
instructed that the first move along this line
is 10 come from Venezuela's representative MI
Bowen while here will act solely as Venezuelan
speciaI envoy The State Department has made
II ,,Iaip to the powers that the United States
does not intend to take a hand in the WASH
ington conference, and will act merely as the
means Of communication between the NeneZ-
uelan envoy, Mr. Bowen ana the representative
The allied powers have not committed them
selves as vet regarding the raising of the blocE-
ade No such request has been made, and, as
one diplomat put it to-day: I'VE do not intend
10 cross that bridge until we come to it. But
tio,,s have reached Washington that italy
and Great Britain not inclined to favor a
continuation of the blockade after the opening
Of negotiations. and that Germany VIII be re-
quested to give her consent proVlaed Mr. boWeh ven
presents such a request. Should Germany re-
fuse the request of Great Britain and Italy,
these powers it was said to-day: viii not post
,1opa favora l1le consideration of Mr.. Bowens
reouest but will withdraw their ships.