Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-04
Send Joint Note Home Suggesting oOmprO.
mise on Preferential Claims
PROPOSE EXCLUSIVE EPAYHENT FOR MONTH
Bowen and Other Claimants Ready To
Accept This Solution.
MEXICO NOW JOINS CHORUS or DEBTOR,


no advices from the allied governments re-
spectlng the nature Of the next proposal
they will submit to Mr. Bowen, but II is
expected the note OF Mr.. Bowen, addressed
TO the British ambassador last night, will
result in an adjustment.
At the British embassy today the most
important conference that the representa-.
tives Of the allies have held among them
selves took place. As a result the foreign
Offices in London, Berlin and Rome are in
possession Of suggestions which, II adopted
will mean the success Of the Washing Ion
negotiations and the raising OF the block
ade. The allied powers have been again re-
quested to consent to priority OF payment
for a limited period only and the equality
OF all claimant nations thereafter.
BOwen Offers Compromise.
Mr.. Bowen has stated that he is willing
that the allies receive preferential treat
ment for one month. and be placed on an
equal basis as to time and proportionate
payments. II is the conviction of one Of
the negotiators at least that this PROPOSE
tion of Mr. Bowen is eminently fair
/ The feeling is growing that a persistence
In their present position can result only
in loss of prestige for the alliea, and bad
feeling against them, not only in Venez-
uela, but elsewhere throughout the Ameri-
cas-. As result OF these considerations
II was agreed at the conference this aft
ernoon that a note should be addressed to
the three governments, setting forth the
exact attitude OF the United States toward
the preferential demand, the state OF pub
lie feeling here regarding It, and urging a
prompt acceptance OF preferential pay
ments for a period Of from one to six
months. An answer is hoped for within
the next twenty-four hours.
All Oppose Hague.
The question OF referring the one oues-
tion Of preferential treatment to The
Hague for settlement, as suggested by Mr..
Bowen. came UP, and It was evident at once
that the negotiators we're all opposed to
calling in The Hague tribunal except as a
last resort.
The British ambassador raised the matter
with Mr.. Bowen during the forenoon and
u developed that Mr.. Bowen was no less
anxious than the allies that the whole con-
troversy be settled here and now All
these facts have been cabled in full to the
three powers
Confidence that a settlement will be
forthcoming at Washington in a short time
IL based to a considerable extent on the ac-
tivity of Baron won Sternberg. who has
given every evidence that he sincerely
wants the matter adjusted without pro-
longing the blockade.
The president today received a call from
Baron sternberg and the two spent half an
hour or more In informal conversation on
the Venezuelan affair The president is
most anxious that the blockade be raised at
the earliest possible moment.
The French ambassador, M. Jussrand
paid an informal call on Mr.. Bowen and
mada n nIain hat NH
sist on the protection OF its rights 1t was
anxious that Venezuela be also protected
and would do all It consistently could to
preserve peaceH
Citizens OF Mexico also have claims
against Venezuela and that government has
been asked to be put on an equal footing
with the other nations. Notice OF Mexico's
intention was communicated to Mr.. Bowen
today by the Mexican ambassador, who said
the claims amounted In all to s1s000 sterl-
ing. or approximately 800, 900.
Mexico adds another to the list of nations
who are lined up against the proposition
OF the allied powers for preferential treat
ment.
Minister Warns Germany.
BERLIN Feb. s.-The German ambassa-
dor to London, Count Wolff Metternich. in
dispatch TO his government, referring to
British public opinion on the Venezuelan
question and the British cabinets attitude
in consequence thereof says the govern
ment is conscious of lack of popular sup
port in its association with Germany, es-
pecially in the disapproval OF the middle
classes.
Premier Balfour and Foreign Minister
Lansdowne have the support OF the other
members OF the cabinet In their steadfast
determination to carry out an agreement
with Germany, but the ambassador ven
tures the opinion that Lord Lansdowne's
position Is weakened through loss OF public
support and that the cabinet is in a mood
TO accept almost any way out of the
Venezuelan ENHANCEMENT that promises the
ultimate payment OF the claims.
Ambassador Woln Meuernich also says
genuine dislike exists generally In Great
Britain to the governments partnership !
with Germany. and, in counselling that
the negotiations at Washington be hastenec,
he intimates that II the situation becomes !
more confused It Is conceivable that !
Colonial Chamberlain, on his return from |
South Africa, may become the interpreter |
Vt the popular view In the cabinea and |
advise the other ministers accordingly.
' dispatch TO the Lokal Anzeiger from |
The Hague today announced that Herr Won |
Prollius, secretary OF the German legation !
there, had been appointed minister OF Ger |
many TO Venezuela.
Attitude Il MisuRderstOOd.
] LONDON, Feb. S-Reuter's Telegram |
company says Il is ofheially Informed that |
the attitude Of the allies regarding the So |
called priority claims against Venezuela !
has been misinterpreted, thus increasing the |
complications.
1t is explained that the allies do not in
elst on ths precedence of their claims over |
others, but insist that they shall be re- |
'Earded as separate. to be dealt with direct |
between themselves and Venezuela.
Until a SPECIFIC arrangement is made for |
the satisfaction OF their claims they are |
determined 10 continue the blockade.
II IL further stated that the allies do not |
bind Venezuela regarding the sum to be |