The semi-weekly messenger., 1903-01-30

| Washington, January 26.-The Asso-
ciated Press has been informed that
Minister Bowen, acting for Venezuela,
in return for the raising of the block
! ade. pledges thirty per cent. of the re-
ceipts of the ports of Porto Cabello
| and LaGuiara, the same to be collected
| by a joint commission made up of one
/ representatives from each of the pow
ers having claims against Venezuela.
From the few details of the ex-
changes between the allies that leak
out here. it would appear that they
are considering such small phases Of
the ultimate arrangement as to indi-
cate that they already have reached a
tacit agreement upon the general
| principles of the settlement.
Up to the close of the day formal
| notice of the acceptance of the propo-
sition had not come to Mr.. Bowen from
the representatives Of the allies here.
However, such unofficial informa ton
| as reached Mr.. Bowen went far to sat-
| isfy him of the accuracy Of the state
ment he made late Saturday, namely,
| that there was reason to believe that
| the pending controversy would be set
| tied "soon and satisfactorily
1t is learned that the Italian govern
| ment though refraining from undue
prominence in the negotiations, has all
! along favored an honorable compromise
| and that 1t has let it's allies know tho
| favor with which it rega dad the Bowen
! proposition, while processing a wiling
ness to defer to their views in the mat
| ter.
| An interesting detail developed Is
| that the proposition of the customs
| duties collected at LaGuaira and Porto
Cabello to be paid to the alliss is thirty
| per cent, proportion really larger
than at first appears owing to the fact
| that these two ports collect large
! part of the total customs receipts of
| the country. Under this arrangement
| probably cash payment can be dis
| pensed with, for the customs receipts
| would quickly defray the pressing in
dividual claims of the allies.
The lifting of the blockade would not
| mean the complete withdrawal from
American waters of the allied fleet and
it is understood that not only will the
British-American fleet remain in it's
| accustomed winter quarters in the
! Caribbean, but the German govern
| ment will depart from it's ancient naval
|
without station fleets. and will con-
tinue the present squadron in American
| waters at a permanent fleet.
Confirmed in Berlin.
| Berlin. January 26.-The report that
| Germany and Great Britain had pro-
| visionally accepted the guarantee sub
| mitted by Minister Bowen for the pay
| ment of claims received from arbitra-
| ton was confirmed here.
| The guarantee offered TO the powers
through Mr.. Bowen, is a portion of the
customs receipts of LaGuiara, and,
| perhaps. of several other ports.
The proposal was first made to Great
| Britain which Professionally accepted it
! and then to Germany which accepted
| it in principle on Saturday. The allies
are now engaged in examining the
value of the guarantee offered and are
| negotiating details, like the form of
| payment.
| Blockade Will Soon be Raised.
London, January 26.-It was learned
today by a representative of the AsSo-
ciated Press that Great Britain and
| Germany have informed their repre-
| sentatives at Washington that they
| consider Minister Bowens proposals
| regarding Venezuelas guarantee to
| form a satisfactory basis for further
| ne%Otia tiOnS.
In addition to the offer Of part Of the
| customs Of LaGuaira and Porto Ca
| bello, as a guarantee, Mr.. Bowen in
| formed the powers that several New
York banks had expressed their will
| ingness to undertake the payment Of
| the first claims demanded by the pow
| ers upon the basis of such guarantee.
| Mr.. Bowen did not say whether he had
| made a definite arrangement with any
| particular banks but as soon as the
\
| BILE houses to guarantee the payment
| Of the first claims the blockade will be
raised. This is expected 10 be within
| two or three days.
| II is understood here that the banks
| referred to by Mr.. Bowen are ]. and w.
| Seligman & Co., and J. P. Morgan &
| Company.
Not Satisfied With 30 Per Cent.
| Rome. January 26.-It is learned that
| the powers are still negotiating regard
ign the percentage of the customs re-
| ceipts that Venezuela is to give as a
| guarantee, one government insisting
| upon fifty ker cent. Unsteady of thirty
| per cent.
Berlin. January 26.-Written declara-
tions regarding the blockade of the
! Venezuelan ports have been exchanged
between Minister Bowen and the repre-
sentatives of Great Britain. Germany
and Italy. In their declaration the
representatives Of the European powers
promised to consent to the immediate
raising of the blockade as soon as an
agreement is concluded between them
and Mr.. Bowen embodying the condi-
tions laid down by the powers. These
conditions chiefly relate to the guar
antees to be furnished by Venezuela,
which has offered a portion of the Gus
toms revenue Of LaGuaira and Porto
CabellO