The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-05
A GRAIN Of SUGAR ON
A MIGHTY BIG PILL
Wonder if the Powers Can
Gulp it Down?
HERES The PROPOSITION
You May Have 0ns Months Preferential Treat
ment Instead Of the Six Years You
Ask---This May Bring En-,
il is Hoped.
CBy the Associated Press.)

Washington, Feb. 3.-There are no adj
vices rom the allied governments re-
speeding the nature of the next proposal
they will submit to Mr.. Bowen, Vene-
zuela's representative, for a settlement
of their claims but there is good author
ity tonight for the statement that the
note of Mr.. Bowen addressed to the
British Ambassador last night will result
in an adjustment of the trouble.
AT the British Embassy today the most
important conference that the representa-
tiyes of the allies have yet held among
themselves took place. Mr. Bowen, OF
course, was not present. The conference
was called to consider the Recommended
tons which the Italian and British Am
bassadors and the German minister
should make to their governments as to
the next step to be taken. AS result of
this conference the Foreign Offices at
London, Berlin and Rome are in posses
sion of suggestions which, if adopted,
will mean the success of the Washington
negotiations and the raising of the block
ade. The allied powers have been again
requested by their representatives to con-
sent to priority OF payment of their
claims for a limited period only and
equality of all claimant nations thereaf-
ter. Mr.. Bowen has stated that he is
willing that the allies receive preferen-
tial treatment for one month, if at the
end of that time all the claimant nations
be placed on an equal basis as to time
and proportonate payments.
1t is the conviction of one of the nego
tiators at least that this proposition of
Mr.. Bowen is eminently fair. 1t involves
a compromise of the powers original re-
quest for six years preferential treatment
but Will enable them to retain part at
least of their prestige The feeling is
growing that persistence in their pres
ent position can result only in loss of
prestige for the allies and bad feeling
against them, not only in Venezuela but
elsewhere throughout the Americas.
AS q result of these considerations at
the conference at the British Embassy
it was agreed that note should be adj
dressed 10 the three governments of Great
Britain, Germany and Italy, setting forth
the exact attitude of the United States
with reference to the powers preferential
demands. the acceptance of preferential
payments for a period of from one to six
months An answer is hoped for from
one if not all of the allies within the
next twenty-four hours.
Confidence that a settlement will be
forthcoming at Washington in a short
time is based to a considerable extent
on the activity of Baron Speck Won
Sternburg. He has given every evidence
that he sincerely wants the dispute adj
justed without prolonging the blockade.
The German government has been in
formed of the difficulties with which
public feeling in this country has been
restrained from an outburst against the
Anglo German alliance and it is believed
that it appreciates the necessity of early
settlement of the whole dispute.
The President today received call
from Baron Won Sternburg and the two
spent a half hour or more in an informal
conversation on the Venezuelan affair. The
President is most anxious that the block
ade be raised at the earliest possible mo-
ment and it is believed that this fact
will have considerable weight with EN-
peror William.