The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-21
BOWEN SENDS TO VENEZUELA
An AGENT SAILS TO-DAY TO URGE
CASTRO no STAND FIRM.

Opposed to the Acceptance Of the seligman
propositjon, which Would Prevent
the Hague Tribunai's Consideration
of Preferential Treatment -Ambas-
sador Herbert's Reply 10 Mr.. Bowen.
WASHINGTON, March ,o.-Herbert W.
Bowen, the special peace envoy Of vene-
y,ea. made another radical move to-day
when he sent Senior Don Augusta +. Pulido,
venezuelan Charge d'Afaires In Wash
ineton on an important mission to Ca
racas Senior Puldo will sail from New
York tomorrow. carrying with him letter
from Mr. Bowen urging President Castro
10 stand by the arrangements made In
this city for the adjustment Of venezucla's
foreign indebtedness and not to enter
into any agreement with the SeHgman
vyrdcate for a cash liquidation.
Mr. Bowen is strongly opposed TO the
SeNgman proposition for many reasons.
among them that Venezuela viii have to
nav such heavy interest to the syndicate
that her indebtedness will be greatly in
creased. He is credited also with hold
ing that a reference to Tho Hague court
Of the question Of the right Of England.
Germany and Italy to have their claims
maid before those OF the neutral nations,
will he prevented by this means and thus
spoil the opportunity Of having The Hague
tribunal decide whether nation that uses
force in the collection Of it's debts Is entitled
70 more consideration In their payment
than a nation which endeavors to secure
collection through peaceable methods. No
new move has been made here by the loan
syndicate but it is reported that II IL bring
Ing in uence to bear upon President Castro
at Caracas to accept it's proposal.
Mr.. Bowen had some further correspond
rnco to-day with Sir Michael Herbert,
the British Ambassador, in regard to Mr..
Bowen's warning, that unless assurances
we're secured by him in the meantime, the
European allies intended to negotiate proto-
coils for a reference Of the preferential treat
ment question to The Hague, or were willing
TO make some direct arrangement OF this
matter, venezu would decline to pay
70 the representative OF the Bank Of England
In Caracas, on April 1, the 80 per cent. OF
customs collections for March at La Guayra
and Puerto Cabello, being the first INSTALL
ment Of the claims indemnity. This money,
under the protocols Of Feb ID, is to be held
by the Bank OF England's representative
until The Hague court decides how 1t shall
b. distributed.
Sir Michael Herbert sent an answer TO.
day to Mr. Bowen's note. In which he said
that as Mr.. Bowen's leave Of absence had
been extended, enabling him TO continue
his duties in Washington, and As Mr.. Bowen
had said the case need not 60 before The
Hague tribunal until September, Sir
Michael had not regarded the matter OF
arranging The Hague protocol as urgent.
He said, however, that he had received
instructions from his Government con-
corning Mr.. Bowen's tentative proposals
Of terms for the protocol, and unless these
were changed In the meantime he hoped
10 begin negotiations next week.
To this note Mr.. Bowen replied. contend
ing that the main question at issue was
whether the allies intended to live up to
the agre cement to take the disputed point OF
prior payment to The Hague, or to make
some direct agreement Mr.. Bowen held
that II was necessary to know what the allies
proposed to do before VeneZu paid over
the 50 per cent. installment TO the Bank of
April 1. and reiterated his statement Of
yesterday that payment could not be made
unless previous assurance was given to
him that the protocol would be negotiated
or some other mode OF settlement than Q
reference to Tho Hague provided for.
The British Ambassadors response TO
this second communication from Mr.. Bowen
was delivered tonight. He said that so
far as he was aware his Government was
willing to submit the question Of preferential
treatment TO The Hague tribunal, and
init next week to Mr.. Bowen q draft Of .
protocol to carry out that purpose. Sir
Michael admitted that in the instructions
received from the London Foreign Of1ce
were direct ions to propose sorne amend-
ments TO the proposals. OF Mr.. Bowen.