Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1903-02-08
ROOSEVELT DECLINES
PRESiC ENT UNWILLING TO ARRi.
TRATE QUESTION OF PREF.
ERENTIAL TREATMENT.
CAS-. GOES TO THE Hal


dor Sends for Mr.. Bowen and In.
forms Him Of the Arrival Of His
ProtocoI--Those Of Germany and
Italy Also en- Hand.
Washington. Feb T. President
Roosevelt has declined the invitation
OF the allied powers to arbitrate the
question as to whether they shall re-
ceive preferential treatment in the
settlement of their claims against
Venezuela over the other creditor ma
tlons. He reached this decision
shortly before o clock p. M. and in
structcd Secretary Hay to dispatch a
note to the British embassy at once
advising the British ambassador to
that effect The matter therefore now
will be referred to The Hague trib-
unal. This will result in the immedi-
ate raising of the blockade. The ad
ministration, it is stated in an official
quarter. was unwilling to approve the
effort of the British government to
eliminate Minister Bowen from the ne
gotiations, and. moreover, the presi-
dent could not have accepted the in
vltation OF the allies even had he been
so disposed, without the consent of
the other negotiatOr, Minister Bowen
and this the allies did not obtain or
request in their note of invitation to
the president.
Immediately on receipt of Secretary
Hays note announcing the presidents S
declinatiOn. the British ambassador
addressed a communication to Min
lister Bowen. stating that he was suf-
ferlng from an attack of grippe 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
Sternburg. called on Mr. Bowen and
announced the arrival OF his protocol
1t developed that two protocols are
to be signed by Mr.. Bowen with the
Italian ambassador. Signor Mayor des
Planches. TWO with the British am
bassador, and two with the German
minister, Baron Speck Won Sternburg
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 sign
ing of this convention. In these pro
tocols the conditions precedent to the
Raising Of the Blockade
will be clearly stated, namely, that 80
per cent of the customs receipts of the
ports of La Guayra and Puerto Ca
bello 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 prefer
entail treatment, or, as Great Britain
terms it. separate treatment in the
settlement, shall be referred to The
Hague. These protocols also will pro-
vide that Venezuela shall pay down to
each of the three allied powers CO 500
as an initial cash payment. The differ
ences between these protocols. it is
said. Will concern certain details, the
nature of which is not yet known,
even to Mr. Bowen The German pro
ep\ti W III bt SuDLIltSu w ulli III lLt
morning by the German minister for
consideration. Afterwards Mr.. Bow
en- will go to the British embassy. in
view Of the illness of the British am
bassador. and there will see the pro
tocol drawn by Lord Lansdowne
The Italian ambassador. Signor
Mayor des Planches, will also bring
his protocol to Mr. Bowen for consid
Grafton.
Having arranged for the signature OF
these first protocols, the negotiators
will take up the second protocols,
which are to cover the manner of ad-
Indicating the claims of the various
creditor powers and the means of the
administration of the customs receipts
The claims of each claimant power are
to be settled by commission to con-
sst in each instance of representa-
tive of a creditor government and
Venezuelan, and in case of a failure to
agree. the king of Spain will appoint
an arbiter. The plan agreed on for the
collection Of the payments provides
that the Caracas government shall be
entrusted with the administration of
the receipts unless thirty days are al
lowed To elapse without the prompt
pa! iiieht ~ any oHe HdtioH vi its
share. in which event the Belgian gov
ernment is empowered to appoint
agents to take charge of the customs
houses and
Administer the Payments
until the claims of all the nations are
satisfied.
II is admitted that some days may
yet pass before either of the protocols
can be signed, owing to the minor diff
ferences. but negotiations are eX-
pected to move more swiftly than in
the past.
In administration and diplomatic
circles, the reference to The Hague is
regarded as victory for Minister
Bowen. as Venezuela thereby is en-