Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-01-30
france and
The Powers.
Expected and Expects Equal Treatment with Them In the
Matter of Claims Against VenelueIa-7o Admit Their
Contention Would be TO Encourage War.

powers in Washington and state to
them that Venezuela was being forced
by the triple alliance TO yield to plan
which would affect seriously the inter-
ests OF France, Belgium, Norway and
Sweden Spain, Denmark Holland and
the United States.
When this step is taken Il IS expected
that France will make representations
az once To London. Berlin and Rome,
protesting against any interference
with the previous arrangement she has
made with Venezuela for the settlement
Of claims France may be Joined IN
this protest by the other claimant ma
tions
There IL reason to believe that the
French government already has sound
ed he United states government 60
learn how much In common there may
be between their interests In Venezuela.
II Is said that there is strong resem-
blance between the claims of the two
nations perhaps enough TO link them
together in resistance TO any policy on
the part of the allies which would tend
TO destroy or impair those interests.
For Instance. the United States through
a regular tribunal, the Venezuelan
claims commission has secured Jldg-
ment against Venezuela for q consld-
cradle sum OF money which Venezuela
has been paying in lnstallments Re
Gently these payments have been de-
layed and as the money comes In large
part from the Venezuelan customs, the
United States may have very good legal
right 10 protest against any conduct
on the part OF the allies which VIII pre-
vent its debtor from meeting It's obli-
cations TO the United States, France,
by treaty and negotiations, has secured
what amounts TO q judgment against
Venezuela and the claims that her deb
tor must not be destroyed or Vene2u-
elias means of meeting her payments
TO France impaired. as will be the case
by the adoption of the preferential
treatment demanded by the allies.
These considerations are tending to
draw France and the United States
together in q policy that Is likely ia
take issue with that Of the allies
Washington. Jan. 30.-Two important
subjects were considered at the cabinet
meeting today. All the members OF the
cabinet were present. Secy. Moody hay.
ing returned from his brief vacation.
His condition Is much improved; in
deed he Is quite himself again.
The question OF most serious impor
tance before the cabinet today related
to Venezuela and the Philippines. In
connection with the Venezuelan ques'
ton the action taken In Congress for
the strengthening of the coast defense
Qualifications and the improvement OF
the naval and military establishments
generally was referred 70 and cordially
approved. II Is made clear that the
United States is not expecting and is
not looking for trouble, but the admin
istration is determined 70 be prepared
for any situation that may arise
Some consideration was given to the
Philippine legislation before Congress.
secy. Root Is interested in this subject
and for a considerable time before the
meeting of the cabinet he was in con-
ference with the president In regard to
t. While II Is recognized that the leg
islatlve situation at the capitol is com
phcated by the attitude assumed By
the senate in the statehood contest, the
hope is expressed by officials Of the adj
minlstration that the important legisla-
tion demanded at this time may be en-
acted.
Secy. Moody announced after the
meeting that no conclusion had been
reached concerning the bids for the first
class battloships Washington and Ten
ressee, which have been under consid-
Grafton for several days. He indicated
that q decision might be reached soon'