The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1903-01-02
PRfFERS not 10
President RocseveltAverse to Be-
coming Arbitrator
NIGHT YIELD TO PRESSURE
Could Hardly DeeIins win So slueh at
staks-Feels That Proper Place for
Adjustment Of TrOubIe Is the
Hague Peace Tribunal

A Washington. December %. dis
patch says: President Roosevelt has
not accepted the position Of arbitrator
Of the Venezuelan controversy. In
fact when the oficiaI day closed he
had not received, formally or omciaIly.
a request from the European powers
that he act as arbitrator Of the dispute
These statements are made on the
highest authority.
In an informal manner the presi-
dent has been notified that the Eu-
roPean powers intimately concerned in
the present South American difficulty
desire that he should undertake the
responsibility OF acting as arbitrator
Of the points at issue between them
and Venezuela Thus far they merely
have been taking soundings" with a
view, probably. Of ascertaining how he
would receive q formal prefer 70 act
as arbitrator.
The president as soon as he received
the first intimation that he was desired
70 be arbitrator OF the Venezuelan con-
troversy expressed emphaticauy his
judgment that the matters TO be arbi-
trated should be referred 10 The Hague
tribunal. His view OF the suggestions
made has been conveyed TO the Eu-
rOpean powers, together with a strong
presentation OF his reasons for the
view he holds. No response OF a for
nal nature to these representations has
been received.
The president and Secretary Hay had
a long conference today after the for
mer's return from his Virginia trip.
They carefully went over the situation
as it had developed since Saturday.
but IL is understood that nothing has
arisen during the past fOrty-eight
hours to warrant the president in
changing his opinion as to the unde-
STABILITY Of the position Of arbitrator
So far as can be learned. no specific
reasons have been advanced By the
European powers for Directing 10 a
reference Of the Venezuelan questions
TO the arbitration OF The Hague
tribunal
It is held by the administration that
the tribunal Of The Hague was con-
stituted to arbitrate Just such contro-
yersies as that which has arisen be
tween Venezuela and the powers and
that it would be desirable from every
viewpoint that the present dispute
should 90 to that tribunal for adjudica-
ton.
How strong the objections which
Great Britain, Germany and Italy have
to reference Of the Venezuela difficulty
to The Hague tribunal is not known
to the administration at this time.
Even the nature OF the objections. If
there be any, is not known The negO-
tiatiOns looking to the selection OF an
arbitrator have not progressed suf-
fCiently yet TO develop such objections
as the powers may have
The acceptance by the powers OF the
principle Of arbitration as applied TO
the Venezuelan question is a matter OF
great qualification TO the president and
his cabinet That all the powers have
intimated. too. that they would prefer
the president should arbitrate the
present dispute is taken as a notable
compliment to the president personally
and to his administration
It IS the hope Of both the president
and his advisers. however. that while
there is precedent for his acceptance
OF the post Of arbitrator. the powers
will consent TO q reference of the con-
trOverted matters in the Venezuelan
question to the tribunal at The Hague.
While IL Is recognized by the presi-
dents closest advisers and by the pres
ident himself that some unpleasant
possibilities might attend his per
Torrance Of the duties of arbitrator Of
the pending Venezuelan difficulty. his
friends assert that he viii shirk no re-
spOnsibility that he may deem IL his
duty 70 undertake. but will accept if
the powers should insist on il, though
he is very reluctant TO do so.