The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-01

South American Republics af.er those Re
publics showed a disposition to pay their
debts.
This Venezuela has done. She Is ready to
begin aymen Of her obligations the min
ute the ockad is raised. The three block
aiding nations havS been bringing up objec-
ton after objection. Their first contention
was that they must have a guarantee that
the customs duties would actually be paid.
Their second was that the percentage of
customs offered was not satisfactory. Their
third Is that they. as ~coercive nations, shall
have preference before any Of the other
creditor nations are paid. This has caused
the present deadlock. 4...1 -
ALLIES. STRATEGY.
To public men here 1t would seem that.
using tie Presidents Interpretation of the
Monroe Doctrine as an excuse. Germany,
Great Britain and Italy. after having forced
venezuela into a position where she is will
ing to pay, are now using obstacles which
make 1t practically impossible for her to
even begin paying.
1t 10 no longer Venezuela, they say; that
is using the Monroe Doctrine as a shield 10
escape paymen Of debt, but Great Britain.
Germany and Italy that are using IL as a
pretext to disturb the tranquility Of the
world by rendering a settlement Impossible.
Unless Minister Bowen and Venezueia re-
cede from their position. that there shall
De no preferred creditors, or unleas new
light comes to the foreign Offices in London,
Berlin and Rome, this Government will soon
realize that the time has come to act.
What will be done then will depend on
the wisdom Of the President and Secretary
Hay. They are both as peace-loving as EN-
peror William declares himself to be.
But 1t is obvious that this condition In
which these nations through greed or
through. turbulence. or pride. are prevent
Ing Venesuela from dischargtng her debts
because they refuse to accept fair terms
and raise the blockade. Is one that canot
be tolerated much longer.
ANSWER DELAYED.
No confirmation Is obtainable anywhere
here of the report published to-day that
the allied powers had sent to their diplo.
matte representatives here an answer In
which they refused to recede their demand
that they be given preferential tratment.
Mr.. Bowen has not received this answer
from any Of the governments and unless the
answer is presented to him 1t has no weixh
The TACT that no answer has yet been re-
ceived Is considered a favorable sign, and
AIR. Bowen Is tonight very hopeful OF an
amfcable settlement.
Baron Won ~Sternberg called on Mr.. Bowen
this afternoon and was in consultation with
him for some time.
AZ Minister Bowen did not return the call.
but has arranged to do so tomorrow after
noon. the inference IL that no reply had |
been presented to Minister Bowen before |
that time.
Baron Won Sternberg tonight IL absolute
ly set against the controversy between Ven
szuela and the allied Powers going 20 The |
Hague for settlement. He Is an eager to |
avoid The Hague as he fs to gain prefer |
entail treatment for the allies. This atti- |
tuds Of the new German envoy is one of the |
most hope-insptring circumstances now evil
dent In the situation.
Baron Speck Won Sternberg, Germany'a
now Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
to the United States, to.
day spent two hours in conference with
Count ouadt. who. Is charge d'affaires, has
thus far conducted the Venezuelan negotia-
tons for Germany.
The German Minister was placed in Dos