The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-04
OUR ATTITUDE WILL
BE SET EXACTLY FORTH
Minister Bowen, it is Thought, Will
Agree to Give the Allies Preferential
Treatment for One Month and
Possibly for a Little
Longer-C Cabinet
Meeting,
(By Associa ted j',ess.!

4
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3.-There arc as
yet no advices from the allied govern
nents respecting the nature Of the next
proposal they will submit to NJ. Bo-
Wen Venezuela's representative, for a
settlement of their claims. but there is
good authority tonight for the state
ment that the noto Of Mr.. Bowen adj
dressed to the British ambassador last
night VIII result in an adjustment OF the
trouble At the British embassy to-day
the most important conference that the
representatives of tho allies here have
yet held among themselves took place.
Mr.. Bowen, of course, was not present.
L ife conference was called to consider
the recommendations which tho Italian
and British ambassadors and tho Ger
man minister should make TO their gov
crnments as to the next step to be t;,-
Ken. AS a result of this conference, the
foreign offices at London, Berlin anl
Rome are In possession Of suggestions
which, II adopted, Will mean the success
of the Washington negotiations and the
raising OF the blockade. The allied Pow
ers have been. again requested by their
Representatives TO consent to priority OF
payment OF their claims for n limited Pc
riod only and equality of all claimant
nations thereafter Mr.. Bowen has stated
that he is willing that the allies re-
ceive preferential treatment for ons
month, If at the end of that time ali
the claimant nations be placed on an
equal basis as to time ap4 1roportionate
payments *
EM1SI;N1EY. FAIR.
1t is the conviction o one o t the nego-
tiators atsleast that this proposition of
Mr.. RoYsn is eminently fair. 1t In
wolves a compromise OF the Powers orig
inalS request for six-years' preferential
treatment, but will enable them to re
tain part at least OF their prestige.
The feeling is growing that n persistence
in their present position can result only
in loss Of prestige for the allies and bacl
feeling against them, not only In Vene-
zuela, but elsewhere throughout theS
Americas.
AS a result of these considerations alt
the conference. at the British Embassy
it was agreed that a note should be adj
dressed to the three governments Of
Great Britain, Germany and Italy. set
ting forth the exact attitude Of the
United States. with reference to the Pow q
ers' preferential demands, the acceptance
of preferential payments for a period
of from one tosix months. An answer.
is hoped for from one, IL not ALL of thl
allies within the next twenty-four4 hours.
ANXIOUS FOR ADJOURNMENT.
Confidence that a settlement will be
Forthcoming at Washington In short
time is based to q considerable extent
on the activitySo of Baron Speck Won
Sternberg. Flo has given every evidence
that he sincerely wants the dispute ad-
justed without prolonglng the blockade
The German Government has been In
formed of the difficulties which public
feeling in this country has been restrain
,H.-
German alliance and it Is believed that
1T appreciates the necessity of early set
,tlement of the whole dispute
The President to-cay received call
from Baron SAernburs and the two spent
(-ontin,Ied on Sacond Eape tG "a