Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-02-06
BowEN's uLr1xATux TO THE POWERS.
They Cannot Have Preferential Treatment in
the Venezuelan Settlement.

the Ven6xueiau oettiomout'
Great Britain, Germany and Italy
sent joint reply to Minister Bowen
Thursday refusing to accept the propo-
sal that all the countries having claims
against Venezuela should be placed on
an equality with the three co-operat.
ing Powers. The diplomatic debt OF
Venezuela amounted on Dec. 81, 1901,
to something over sl4, 600, 600, and con-
sisted of claims which had previously
been adjusted. Since that date, ow-
ing to the almost constant state OF rev.
olution which has prevailed in Venez-
uela, no payments have been made on
the debt. Mr.. Bowen's plan provided
that 10 per cent of the customs re-.
ceipts of all the Venezuelan ports shall
go toward the payment Of this debt: For
the payment of unadjudicated claims
30 per cent of the customs duties OF
the two ports of Porto Cabello and La
Guayra were offered in pledge by Mr..
Bowen. These ports were selected be.
cause they would be the last to fall
into the hands of revolutionists. AS
surances were given the French gov
eminent that it should receive FAIR
treatment in the settlement OF It's
claims, and that no previous arrange
ments which it has made with Venez-
uela should be interfered with. The
allies insist on preferential rights in
payment of their claims, while the
other creditors are clamoring for an
equal share with the blockading pow
ers. Mr.. Bowen will not agree to any
preference being shown. The situation
is very tense, but settlement is hoped
for, Seven creditor powers will be
united against the allies if they resist,
and settlement of the matter, II made
at all, would have to 60 to The Hague
tribunal. At Washington, the att,
tude of the allied powers is regarded
as inexplicable and their conduct
shortsighted and selfish. Baron Won
Sternburg, the new German minister
at Washington, is active in efforts for
peaceful settlement, without prolong-
ing the blockade and unnecessarily CO.
ercing Venezuela. while at the same
time preserving the prestige and rights
of the allies. His relations with the
emperor are known to be close and he
IS said to have advised his home gov
eminent of the necessity of early set
tlemenb anu VI lue lttliHS III VI N'eH
try against the Anglo German alliance.
Representatives OF the allied powers
now ask the latter to consent to prior
ity of payment of their claims for a
limited period only, and equality, of all
claimant nations thereafter. Venez-
uela government troops under Gen. Al
cantara, a graduate of West Point,
have defeated force of rebels. num-
bering 800, under the revolutionary
Gen. Durharme, on the Camatauga
river fabout 80 miles south Of Caracas.
The rebels were routed and theirammu-
milton and 230 prisoners were captured.
An army of revolutionists is now al
most at the gates of Caracas, and ev-
erywhere in the city preparations are
being made to repel an attack. Trenches
are being dug and citizens are being
drafted into the militaryranks. Animals
are being Sc zed for the government
service. President Castro is cool and
displaying tireless energy. He is on
horseback day aud night directing the
defensive operations. The blockaders
have notified La Guayran authorities
that if they see Venezuelan soldiers in
town they will shell the fort.