Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-20
WILL RAISE THE BLOCKADE
Britain and Italy Prepared to Act Even
Without German Consent.
PRIVATE CLAIMS TO Be PRoBED FIRST
Bowen Due in Washington Today,
when He win Mt once Begin Vene-
zueIan Negotiations with
Powers Ministers.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 19-The Navy de-
partment is advised OF the arrival at
Charleston OF Dolphin and OF the landing
Of MIR. Bowen and his family. The min
lister should reach Washington tomorrow.
1t is expected that the representatives OF
Great Britain and Italy do not feel IL in
cumbent on tkem to await the coming OF
Baron Speck Won Sternberg before begin
ming their conferences.
Neithe- London nor Rome are inclihed to
favor settlement of their claims by joint
commission. the point being that they are
not interested in the claims OF each other
or of Germany. The plan outlined and
which will be submitted to Mr.. Bowen con-
templates the adjustment Of the claims of
each power by its representative with Mr..
Bowen, each nation taking up its claim
separately, but along the same broad lines
of procedure.
Private Claims Come First.
1t has been agreed that the claims OF
private citizens for injuries suffered in
, Venezuela shall be the first TO be adjusted.
These claims in the case OF Germany are
believed to aggregate nearly $500, 900, while
those of Great Britain are between 5000 900
and 5000. 600 The powers will insist upon
an early settlement OF these obligations,
concerned they are prepared to accept a
reasonable guaranty for prompt payment
All hope that the United States intended
standing surety for these obligations has
been dismissed. but an effort will be made
| to secure them either on tn customs col
| lections of Venezuela or the proceeds of a
Venezuelan loan. cash payment will be
| demanded, SO far as Great Britain and
! Italy are concerned, provided satisfactory
| guaranty is offered by President Castro.
The method of procedure in settling the
| claims will not be decided until Mr.. Bowen
| arrives, as the representatives have been
instructed that the first move along this
| line is to come from Venezuela.
| Mr. Bowen while here will act solely as
! Venezuelas representative. The State de-
partment has made it plain that the United
States does not intend to take hand in
the Washington conference, but merely act
| as means of communication
The allied powers have not committed
| themselves as yet regarding the raising oi
the blockade. No request has been made
and as one diplomat put it today, I'VE dc
not intend to cross that bridge until we
come to it," but intimations have reached
! Washington that Italy and Great Britain
are not inclined to favor a continuation o
the blockade after the opening of negotia'
tions, and that Germany will be requested
to give its consent, providing Mr.. Bower
makes such a request Should Germany
refuse, the other powers, 1t was stated
today, will not postpone favorable consid
Grafton OF Mr.. Bowen's request, but will
withdraw their ships,
BOmbardmcht Not Reported.
BERLIN. Jan. 10.-The Navy departmen
/ ,g,I, a
ing the bombardment of Fort San Carlos, a
the entrance to Lake Maracaibo, by tn
German cruiser Panther on Saturday, an
is unable to either confirm or deny tn
press dispatches.
The oficials say, however. ssuming tina
something in the way OF a 5ombardmen
took place, no orders on the subject wer
sent from Berlin. Whatever was done wa
the result of the initiative OF the com
mander on the spot, TO whose discretion tn
conduct OF the blockade was left.
The government relies on Commodor
{ Schneider to observe all the formalitie
usual in applying force and is coniden
that neither he nor any subordinate com
mander did anything not in accord wit
the usages OF international law.
MARACAIBO, Jan. 19.-One hundred an
twenty shots were fired from the fort dur
ing the bombardment Of San Carlos an
1 the walls of the fort were slightly dam
aged. Panther has resumed its position a
the entrance of Lake Maracaibo, where 1
maintains the blockade.
CARACAS, Jan. 19.-The governmen
forced loan, which amounted to $432. 900. wa
subscribed today by the banks and the ma
tive and foreign merchants Of Venezuela
The government is gratihed with this an
swer to its appeal for funds.