The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-31
Trouble Not Looked for. but the Ad-
ministration Wishes 10 BE Ready
for Any Developments.
NO REPLY TO MINISTER BOWEN
ALLIES STILL HOLDING OUT FOR
PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT.
Possibility that NOnaIlied Creditors
Have United I'm Protest Against
Germany, britain and Italy.

WASHINGTON, Jan. so-The delay IN
the settlement OF the Venezuelan contro-
versy and consequent prolongation OF the
blockade. which is seriously affecting the
trade of this country with Venezuela, is an
annoyance which the administration would
speedily end if any pacific method could be
found to accomplish it. The matter was
discussed by the Cabinet to-day and the
hope was expressed that Minister Bowen's
efforts to induce the allies to accept his
proposition would be successful. In con-
nection with the Venezuelan question the
action taken in Congress for the strength
ening Of the coast defense Notifications and
the Improvement of the naval and military
establishments were referred to and cor
daily approved. 1t is made clear that the
United States is not expecting and is not
looking for trouble. but the administration
does not wish to be unprepared for any
situation that may arise.
II Mr.. Bowen cannot adjust the claims
with the allies the purpose is to have The
Hague arbitration tribunal pass on them.
But just how the Venezuelan question is to
get before The Hague. in the event of Mr.
Bowen's failure to adjust the differences. is
not quite clear. 1t is inconceivable to the
administration that there should be a re-
newal of hostiIities on the Venezuelan
coast and more putting on of the screws"
no matter how Mr.. Bowen's work shall
turn ont, so The Hague tribunal comes nat
urally into sight as a port of safety. But
10 place a case before the tribunal requires
the laying down of certain basic PROPOSE
tions of matters to be arbitrated and an
agreement on the limitations to be placed
on the arbitration, and it Is difficult to con-
lecture how all hands can be brought to-
gether on the complex and difficult PROPOSE
tions involved in arbitration protocol
For instance, one point which undoubtedly
would be very difficult to agree on would
be the results of the present blockade and
whether or not Venezuela might properly
regard the damages inflicted on her as Off
sets to the claims of the powers. Mr.. Bow
en-, already looking ahead, has prepared a
long list of such injuries inflicted on Vene-
zuela, and this list grows with every day
continuance of the blockade, but from the
tone of the reports of the allies here 1t is
quite certain they would resist to the ut
most the presentation of any such offsets.
POSSIBLE ULTIMATUM.
II was stated tonight that the European
allies had not yet answered Minister
Bowen's proposal that there shall be no
preference OF claims. Minister Bowen
thinks the delay should be construed in a
hopeful light, on the ground that the de-
lay in the answer of the powers indicates
that they realize the Importance of his
position in the matter and are giving the
subject careful consideration. He still ex-
poets favorable reply TO his proposal and
believes that the questions at issue Will be
settled at Washington between himself,
acting for the government of Venezuela,
and the representatives OF the powers 1t
was reported that an answer to Bowens
proposal had been received in Washing
ton. but the report cannot be confirmed
officially. The answer. IL received, was not
transmitted to Mr.. Bowen IL the answer
did arrive, the suspicion is that IL was un-
favorable TO Mr.. Bowen's contention and
In view OF his positive attitude in the mat
ter, was not presented to him, but was
withheld by the representatives of the allies
in order that they might again impress
upon their governments the Importance of
the question before submitting a final
answer.
Ii became known to-day that Minister
Bowen had addressed to the representa-
tives of the allies communication. which
in measure might be regarded an ulti-
matum defining his position. Mr.. Bowen
declines absolutely to discuss the question.
but IL is known that he said to the allies
that IL they persisted In their determination
10 receive preferential treatment in the
matter OF the settlement OF the claims he
would call together the other creditor ma
tions having claims against Venezuela with
view to their making formal protest
against the demands OF those who partici-
pated In the blockade. The effect of this
would be that the other seven creditor na-
tfons would be lined up against the three
allied powers, with the result that the set
tlement of the whole matter In all proba
bility might go TO The Hague If it is to be
settled at all. This note Is believed to be
having its effect i'm staying the final de-
termination OF the question by the allied
governments.
FRANCE NAY TAKE ACTION
The British ambassador sent a long ca
blegram TO Lord Lansdowne yesterday
stating what might be expected in case
Great Britain and her two allies insisted
on preferential treatment for the block
aiding powers The text of the cablegram
cannot be published. but il Informed the
Foreign Office that Minister Bowen in the
event of refusal OF his proposition.
would call upon the representatives of the
other claimant powers i'm Washington and
state 10 them that Venezuela was being
forced by a triple alliance 10 yield to a
plan which would affect seriously the in
terests of France, Belgium Norway and
Sweden. Spain. Denmark: Holland and the
United states. When this step is taken
IL is expected France will make reuresenta-
tions at once 10 London. Berlin and Rome
protesting against any interference with
previous arrangements she has made with
Venezuela for the settlement of claims
France may he Joined i'm this protest by
the other claimant nations.
There is reason TO believe the French
government has sounded the United States
government TO learn how much In common
there may be between their interests In
Venezuela. II is said there is a strong
resemblance between the claims OF the two
nations; perhaps enough 10 link them to-
gether I'm resistance 10 any policy on the
part OF the allies which would tend TO
destroy or impair those interests. For in
stance the United States. through a regu-
lar tribunal. the Venezuelan claims com
mission. has secured Judgment against
Venezuela for a considerable sum OF money
which Venezuela has been paying In in
staiiments- Recently those payments have