The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-01-31
Tells What He Will Do if
the Allies Persist in Their
Determination to Receive
Preferential Treatment
France Would Pool Issues
With the United States.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 30.-<he
European allies have not yet answered
Minister Bowen's proposition that
there shall be no preference of claims
of Great Britain, Germany and Italy
against Venezuela over those of other
nations against the South American
country.
Minister Bowen thinks the delay
should be construed in a hopeful light.
on the ground that it indicates that
the powers realize the Importance of
his position, and are giving the subject
careful consideration. He still eX-
cts favorable reply to his conten-
ton, and believes that the questions at
issue will be settled at Washington
between himself, acting for Venezuela,
and the representatives of the powers.
1t was reported that an answer to Mr..
BoWen's demand had been received in
Washington, but the report cannot be
confirmed officially. If the answer did
arrive the suspicion is that it was un-
favorable to Mr.. Bowen's contention,
and, in view of his positive attitude in
the matter, was not presented to him,
but was withheld by the representa-
tives of the allies in order that they
might again impress upon their gov
ernments the Importance of the ques-
ton before submitting a final answer.
UItimatum From Bowen.
1t became known today that Mr..
Bowen had addressed to the represent
atiVes of the allies what in a measure
might be regarded as an ultimatum as
defining his position. Mr.. Bowen de-
c1neS to discuss the question, but it =;
known that he said to the allies that
If they persisted in their determina-
ton to receive preferential treatment
he would call together the other cred
itor nations with view to their MAX
ing formal protest against the de-
mandS of those who participated in
the blockade. The effect of this would
be that the other seven creditor ma
tlons would be lined up against the
three allied powers, with the result
that the settlement of the whole mat
ter in all probability might go to The
Hague, if it is to be settled at all.
This note is believed to be having it's
effect in staying the final determina-
tion of the question by the allied gov
ernments.
France Wants Us fer Partner.
There is reason to believe that the
French government has sounded the
United States government to learn how
much in common there may be between
their interests in Venezuela 1t is said
that there is a strong resemblance be-
tween the claims of the two nations,
perhaps enough to link them together
in resistance to any policy on the part
of the allies which would tend to de-
strOy or impair those interests.
For instance, the United States,
through a regular tribunal, the Vene-
zuelan claims commission, has secured
judgment against Venezuela for a con-
siderable sum CT money which Vene-
zuela has been paying in installments.
Recently these payments have been
delayed, and as the money comes in
large part from the Venezuelan GUS
toms, the United States may have very
good legal right to protest against any
conduct on the part of the allies which
will prevent its debtor from meeting
its obligations to the United States.
France, by treaty and negotiations, has
secured what amounts to a judgment
against Venezuela, and she claims that
her debtor must not be destroyed nCr
Nenezuela's means CT meeting her pay
ments to France impaired as will be
the case by the adoption of the prefer
ential treatment demanded by the al
lies. These considerations are tending
to draw France and the United States
together in a policy that is likely to
take issue with that of the allies