The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-02-10

Washington, February 7.-Disclosure
of secret alliance between Germany
and Italy constituted the most impor-
tant development in the Venezuelan
situation tonight. This fact has been
made known to the British ambassa-
dor and it will put all Of the negotia-
tors more closely on their guard in
drafting the protocols which they hope
to submit to Minister Bowern during
the next few days.
The German-Iralian alliance was old
news to Mr.. Bowen. the fact having
leaked out in Caracas before he left
there. Generally speaking the alliance
is intended TO secure to Italy the same
treatment in the allies settlement with
Venezuela as that received by Germany
and Great Britain.
Mr.. Bowen has made it plain both 10
the British ambassador and to the Ger
man minister, Baron Speck Won Stern
burg, that he cannot affiX his signature
to any protocols they may present to
him which are not substantially Of the
same character as that to be submitted
by the Italian ambassador, Signor May
or des Planches. All three of the first
set of protocols to be signed, which will
contain the conditions precedent to the
raising of the blockade and the provls-
ions for referring the question of pref
erential treatment to The Hague for
decision, have been received at the
Italian, British and German embassies.
Their contents are not known to Mr..
Bowen nor have the allies representa-
tives here been acquainted as yet with
Several important conferences have oo-
Cured throughout the day at the Brit
ish embassy in an effort to reach an
agreement upon the protocols.
Several more or less sensational
stories have been in circulation during
the last few days which have caused
considera BILE annoyance to the British
ambassador and to the other negotia-
tors regarding the note Mr.. Bowen ad-
dressed to the former on Monday last,
proposing that the question Of prefer
entail treatment to The Hague. That
these reports may be corrected, the ne
gotiators are desirous that the facts
shall be stated. On Tuesday after the
sending of this note to the British am
bassador, the latter called on Mr..
Bowen and asked that he withdraw the
entire note on the ground that Ii was
not diplomatic in character. Mr.. Bow
en- was compelled to refuse to grant
this request. The ambassador then
asked that the sentence, beginning:
"On this side of the water We want
peace and not alliance" be Withdrawn.
Again Mr.. Bowen regretted that he
could not grant the ambassadors re-
quest. Finally the ambassador repre-
sented that the latter part of the SEN
hn Of ytA
alliance Of Great Britain with Germany
and Italy would cause him embarrass-
= ment when submitted to the Italian
ambassador and the German minister.
Mr.. Bowen replied that he would be
only too glad to do anything that would
further the negotiations and at once
/ struck out the Objectionable clause
which read as follows: And 1t will
! occasion great surprise and regret
when it becomes known that Great
! Britain has even proposed continuing
! her present alliance with Germany and
! Italy one moment longer than she
must
! With this one change the note was
/ formally transmitted by the British
! ambassador to the German embassies
! LANSDOWNE PLEASED WITH OUT
London, February THE announce
/ ment from washington tnat the Fene-
zuela protocols are in course of prepa-
! ration, confirming the hopeful views of
: the situation expressed here. has Gre
ated great satisfaction. During the
latter part Of the week official circles
here evinced quiet confidence that in
spite Of alarming reports a settlement
was in sight. There have been private
expressions of intense irritation at
Minister Bowen's alleged breach of eti-
quette but these have never been al
lowed to interfere with the determina-
ton OF the difficulty through any feas-
ible channel
| Ambassador Herbert's structures
found sympathetic support in Doring
street and apparently formed the sub
ject OF exchanges Of messages between
Berlin, London and Rome. whence the
representatives of those powers at
| Washington were instructed to present
united front and prevent the recur-
renee Of the publication Of news OF the
nature of which he had complained
Beyond some comparatively slight
deliberations over the wording Of the
protocols, no more trouble is expected. L.