The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-07
BLOCKADE TO BE RAISED
AS SOON As ARBITRATION PRELlM.
INARlES ARE COMPLETED.
Two Sets of Protocols to Be Signed
outcome Is a Victory
for MIR. Bowen.

welt has declined the invitation of the al
lied powers to arbitrate the question as
to whether they shall receive preferential
treatment in the settlement of the claims
against Venezuela over the other creditor
nations. He reached this decision shortly
before o'clock this afternoon and instruct
ed Secretary Hay to dispatch a note to the
British embassy at once advising the Brit
fish ambassador to that effect. The matter
therefore, now will be referred to The
Hague tribunal. This will result in the i'm
mediate raising of the blockade. The ad-
ministration. 1t Is stated in an official
quarter. was unwilling to approve the effort
of the British government to eliminate Min
lister Bowen from the negotiations, and,
cepted the invitation of The allies,
had he been so disposed, without the con-
sent OF the other negotiater. Minister Bow
en-. and this the allies did not obtain or re-
quest in their note Of invitation to the
President. Tomorrow preliminaries with
reference to the signing OF the protocol re-
ferring the matter to The Hague will be
considered.
Immediately on receipt Of Secretary Hays
note announcing the Presidents declina-
ton the British ambassador addressed
communication to Minister Bowen. stating
that he was suffering from an attack of
grip and would be obliged If Mr.. Bowen
would call on him. The Venezuelan envoy
went at once to the embassy. where the
British ambassador explained that he had
been too i'll to call for several days, and
announced the arrival of his protocol. which
he was prepared TO submit to Mr.. Bowen
for signature. Later the German minister
Baron Sternberg, called on Mr.. Bowen and
announced the arrival of his protocol. To-
morrow's programme will include prelim-
mary preparations for the signing of the
protocols.
TWO PROTOCOLS
II developed tonight that two protocols
to be signed by Mr.. Bowen with the
Italian ambassador, Signor Mayor Des-
planches, two with the British ambassador
and two with the German minister, Baron
Speck Won Sternberg The first protocol
in each case will provide for the reference
of the allies contention for preferential
treatment to The Hague and the raising
of the blockade simultaneously with the
signing of the convention. 1t is doubtful
whether the initial protocols between Min
lister Bowen and the three allies will con-
tain the same conditions, though all the
negotiators working to this end
In these protocols the conditions pre-
cedent to the raising of the blockade will
be clearly stated, namely, that 20 per cent
of the customs receipts of the ports of
Laguayra and Puerto Cabello are to be set
aside by Venezuela for the satisfaction of
her creditors, and that the question as to
whether the allied powers shall receive
preferential treatment. or, as Great Britain
terms It. separate" treatment. in the set
tlement, shall be referred to The Hague
These protocols also Will provide that
Venezuela shall pay down to each of the
three allied powers $500 an initial cash
payment. The differences between these
protocols. it is said, will concern certain
details. the nature of which is not yet
known, even to Mr.. Bowen. The German
protocol will be submitted to him to-mor-
row by Baron Sternberg for consideration
Afterwards Mr.. Bowen will go to the
British embassy. In view of the illness OF
the British ambassador and there will see
the protocol which has been drawn up by
Lord Lansdowne. The Italian ambassa.
dor. Signor Mayor Des Planches will brins
his protocol TO Mr.. Bowen tomorrow 90,
consideration.
THE SECOND PROTOCOL.
Having arranged for the signature of tn,
first protocols the negotiators will take Nh
the second protocols. which are TO cover
the manner OF adjudicating the claims OF
the various creditor powers and the mean.
OF the administration OF the customs re-
-ceipts. AS announced yesterday the claim:
OF each claimant power are 10 be settled h,
a committee to consist in each instance o.
a representative OF creditor government
and a Venezuelan representative and IL
case OF failure TO agree the King of Spair
will appoint arbiter. The plan agreed
on for the collection OF the payments pro
vides that the Caracas government shaI
be intrusted with the administration of tn,
receipts unless thirty days are allowed I.
elapse without the prompt payment TO an,
one nation of its share. in which event tn
Belgian government Is empowered TO ap
point agents TO take charge OF the custom
houses and administer the payments unit
the claims OF all the nations are satisfied.
IL was admitted tonight that some day
nay yet pass before either OF the protocol