The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-02-12
REFUSES TO ARBITRATE
President Roosevelt Again Avoids Deli
cate Position.
HAGUE TRIBUNAL MUST NOW DECIDE.
All Questions Except that OF Preferential
Treatment Have Been Agreed Upon Be-
tween Mr.. Bowen and the Representatives
Of the Allies, and the Protocols Have Been
Submitted TO Him.

Washington, D. c. (SpeciaD D.-Presi-
dent Roosevelt refused the invitation
extended by him by Sir Michael Her
bert to act as arbitrator on the ques-
ton OF preferential treatment for the
allies in the settlement OF the claims
against Venezuela.
Not for many years have the feelings
OF those holding the reins of Govern
ment here been so aroused against
Great Britain as now, when it has be-
come generally known from unques-
tionable sources that it has been Lon
don and not Berlin which has bten at
the bottom OF the many delays. unnec-
essary questions and general uncer
tainty over the Venezuelan settlement.
Many officials who have not been fully
/ cognizant OF the methods employed by
Great Britain i'll the pending trouble
now go so far as to state that. in their
opinion, she has been trying to cause
serious friction between the United
States and Germany. OF Great Brit
| aims attitude there is no longer the
slightest doubt in any official quarter.
At a meeting OF representatives OF
the allied powers at the British En-
bassy, Sir Michael Herbert submitted
to Senor Mayor des Planches and to
Baron Speck Won Sternberg a note
which he had prepared for the Presi-
dent, inviting him. in the name OF the
allies. to arbitrate the question OF pref
erential treatment. From an excellent
source it is learned that when the note
was read to the representatives OF Ger
many and Italy the only method in
which they signifed their approval was
by bowing their heads-they were evil
IDENTIFY giving their consent reluctantly
to procedure with which they person.
ally had no sympathy, but to which
they had TO agree in accordance with
instructions received by them from
their Foreign Offices. which simply
read: Follow lead OF Great Britain"
The note was Immediately sent to the
President through Secretary Hay, and
the President asked for short time
in which TO consider it. The contents
we're carefully considered at meeting
OF the Cabinet, and it was then de-
cided that the answer would be an un-
qualified refusal.
The next step will be the signing OF
a protocol agreeing upon all the de-
tdilS diSNNsSlOl CNNCpt
tial treatment for the allies, bv Sir
Michael Herbert, Baron Won Stern
berg. Senor des Planches and Minister
Bowen. This protocol will provide that
the claims OF the powers against Ven
ezuela will be paid from 30 per cent.
OF the customs dues collected at La
Guayra and Puerto Cabello, that the
blockade be lifted Immediately after the
signing OF the document and that the
question OF preference in the payment
OF the allies be left for settlement to
The Hague tribunal.
1t had been the hope OF Mr.. Bowen,
who is in high favor with the admins
tration for the frank manner OF deal
ing with European diplomats. that the
entire question would be settled in
Washington; but the fact remains that
he has gained partial victory by OBJ
I tanning the consent OF the allies to lift
the blockade upon the signing OF the
protocol throwing the burden OF set
/ tlcment upon The Hague.