The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-26

foreign Offices are In possession OF Mr.
Bowens third proposition. stating the ma
ture of the guaranty he is prepared to offer
for Venezuela IL his initial request is COM
piled with and the blockade raised al once
Strict reticence is maintained by all the
negotiators as TO the nature of the guar
anty and until the joint reply of the pow
ers is received this will not be disclosed.
Count Quadt has been advised by the
German Foreign Office of the reasons for
the bombardments Of the San Carlos forts
This explanation agrees with that cabled
from Berlin
Minister Bowen and also the State De-
partment are greatly impressed with the
attitude of the representatives in Washing
ton of the allies through the present nego-
tiations While acting at all times under
instructions from their Foreign Offices, they
have expedited matters considerably by
their straightforward manner of dealing
with Venezuela's s representative This fact
has especially appealed TO the Washing
ton officials, who, while not participating
in the preiminaries, necessarily are vitality
interested in their results. Although Ger
many is sending a special envoy TO con-
duct the negotiations for her. Minister
Bowen has taken occasion to express his
absolute satisfaction with the manner in
which Count Quadt has represented his
government. The German charge, of course,
has been acting under instructions from
Berlin, but the point was made to-day by
Mr. Bowen and by officials of the WASH
ington government that the activity of
Gefmanys representative from the day OF
Mr.. Bowens arrival and the judgment he
has shown has done much to aid In bring
ing about an ultimate solution Of the pres
ent trouble.
Tomorrow there will be conferences be-
tween all of the negotiators, but no definite
action is expected regarding the blockade
before Tuesday or Wednesday. Throughout
his negotiations here Mr.. Bowen has dealt
separately with the foreign ENJOYS. while
they have kept in constant touch with one
another. There has been no joint action
on their part.
The important fact was developed to-day
that the triple alliance against Venezuela
was far more comprehensive than was sup
posed at first. The agreement between Great
Britain. Germany and Italy involved only a
of their claims, but each of the three pow
ers pledged itself to lift the blockade sim
ultaneously. This fact was learned to- night
from a European diplomat who is ac-
and explains the fruitless efforts made by
Ambassador Meyer at Rome and Mr.. Henry
White, the American charge at London, as
we'll as by Mr.. Bowen, acting for Venezuela
to favor the agreement and secure the con-
sent at least Of one of the allies to lift the
blockade.
The ironclad nature of the alliance al
ready has been communicated to the State
Department by Charge White, and it is
this fact which was responsible for the
grave apprehensions heretofore felt regard
ing the outcome of the dispute. The reply
of the powers therefore necessarily will be
joint. A favorable answer to Minister Bow
ems last proposition-and it is the belief of
all the negotiators tonight. as well as of
the administration, that the answer will
be favorable-will mean the immediate
withdrawal of all the blockading Ships
while declining to accept the guarantee Of
fered by Mr.. Bowen must result in the
continuance of the blockade by all three
allies-Great Britain, Germany and Italy
Minister Bowen feels optimistic tonight
as to the future in the Venezuelan matter
He adheres to the belief expressed by him
In the statement he gave out last night that
the case would be settled soon and satis-
factorily. His latest proposition, the i'm
portant feature of which is the matter of
guaranty as a preliminary to the raising
of the blockade will be in the hands of all
the allies by tomorrow afternoon and Min
lister Bowen thinks an answer might be re-
ceived in Washington within a few days.
Mr.. Bowen declined tonight to discuss
the announcement made by a Brussels
newspaper to the effect that a commission
appointed by the United States will be
charged with the administration of the mar
itime customs offices in Venezuela.