Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-02-10
POWERS AT A CRISIS.
UNITED STATES AND FRANCE OP-
POSE THE ALLIES.
Seriono Hitch in Venezuelan Trouble
Causes Alarm = England, Germany
and Italy Peiect Bowers Final Pro-
nosai-Castro Fears a World War.


Emphatic rejection by the allies OF
Fenezuela's last proposal was received
by Minister Bowen Saturday. At the
same time Mr.. Bowen was notified that
France would insist on having equal
treatment with the powers joining in
the blockade in the settlement of claims.
The situation is, therefore, critical rnd
II involves the United States, for the
American is one of the eight creditor
nations of Venezuela which the allies re-
Iuse to recognize as having d right to
immediate settlement of their claims
through the negotiations of Mr.. Bowen
in behalf of Venezuela.
Germany, Great Britain and Italy de-
mand preferential treatment in payment
of claims. Mr.. Bowen thus far has de-
clned to accord it, and in this attitude
has the backing not alone of Venezuela,
which he repre- eots, but of the United
States, France ana six other creditor ma
tions. In this situation France aud the
United States are as strongly allied,
though informally, as Germany, Brit
ain and Italy. The six other nations,
two of which are Belgium and Spain, are
also firm in their agreement with the
American view.
She allies answers to Minister Bow
ems last proposal were received in Wash
ington Friday. They were to the effect
that the allies could not consent that
the United States and the other claimant
nations receive the same treatment as
the blockading powers, and that they,
therefore, rejected in toto Mr.. Bowen's
final proposition.
knowing the consequences that were
to follow the presentation of these an
swers the representatives of the allies
took upon themselves the responsibility
of Withholding the notes of their gov
ernments and of again cabling, urging
retraction of their preferential de-
mands
Meanwhile Mr. Bowen is biding his
time. He is keeping Caracas informed
as to the progress of events and is coun-
selling patience, hoping that the powers
will yet yield. As a matter of fact, he
has as yet received no intimation from
the powers that they are really DESTROYS
Of settling the Venezuelan dispute at
Washington since the representations of
the powers have thus far consisted of
counter propositions.
Fears World War.
A Caracas correspondent quotes Presi-
dent Castro as saying in the course of an
interview:
Il cannot grasp the news from Wash
ington. l fear that the Venezuelan con-
fict will be made a pretext for a world
war. l have answered, however, the
demand for preferential treatment as fol-
lows: The Venezuelan government de-
sires equal treatment for every creditor
nation, at the same time keeping in mind
and respecting its previous diplomatic
agreements and obligations.
As far as can see, the French claim
is absolutely perfect, yet the bloekading
powers seem to desire to invalidate e.
This is stronge procedure indeed when
you recall that the French, Belgian and
Spanish claims already have that solemn
sanction which the blockading powers
pretend to be DESTROYS their own should
receive
''Yet | am hopeful-yes, always hope
full. Mr.. Bowen has cabled me TO be
prudent and patient l shall be BOTH
and we will exhaust all peaceful means,
with the understanding that when that
has been done we will not give in but will
fight. We have concluded that if there
is no honor among nations nor virtue in
international agreements we must defend
ourselves"
The French legation has notified the
Venezuelan government that in virtue
of the convention of 1867 France was ell
lowed to collect directly part of the
revenues of several custom houses in
Venezuela as a guaranty for her diplo-
matte claims arising out of the previous
revolutions. France, it is said, renouuc-
ed forever by the convention of 1885
the exercise of this right on condition
that the interest on this debt should al
ways be regularly paid. As this ray-
ment has not been made, France, with
out asking the authorization of Germany,
England and Italy. intends to revive her
right of direct collection.