New-York tribune., 1903-02-07
RESUME NEGOTI4 TIONS.
British and German Protocols Ready
for Signature.
CBy TIL. Associated Press)

CBy The Associated Prsss)
Washington, Feb. 6-Presdent Roosevelt
reached decision to decline the invitation of
the allied powers to arbitrate the question as
to whether they shall receive preferential treat
ment in the settlement of their claims against
Venezuela shortly before o'clock this after
noon and instructed Secretary Hay TO dispatch
a note to the British Embassy at once advising
the British Ambassador to that effect Inc
question therefore. Will be referred to Ine
Hague tribunal. This will result In the immedl-
ate raising of the blockade Tomorrow prehm-
inaries with reference to the signing of the pro-
tocols referring matters to The Hague for arbi-
tratfon will be considered.
PREPARING THE PROTOCOLS.
Immediately on receipt of Secretary Hays note
announcing the Presidents declnation the
british Ambassador addressed communica-
ton to Minister Bowen saying that he was
8 lfferiny from an attack of grip and would oe
obliged if Mr. Bowen would call on him. Ihe
Venezuelan envoy went at once to the emnasSE'
where the British Ambassador explained tnal
he had been too i'll to call for several days ana
announced the arrival of his protocol. which ne
vas prepared to submit to Mr.. Bowen for sigma
ture Later the German Minister called on
Mr. Bowen and announced the arrival OF MS
protocol To-morrou's programme will include
preliminary preparations IOT lHe SiShihe VI 49,
protocols. 1t was sail tonight that two pro-
tocols are to be signed by Mr. Bowen with the
Italian Ambassador. Signor Mayor des Planches'
two with the British Ambassador, and two with
the German Minister Baron Speck Won Stern
burg The first protocol in each case will pro-
vide for the reference of the allies contention
for preferential treatment to The Hague, and
the raising of the blockade simultaneously with
the signature of this convention
1t is doubtful whether the first protocols be-
tween Minister Bowen and the three allies will
contain the same conditions, though all the ne
potiators are working TO this end. In these
protocols the conditions precedent to the rails
ing of the blockade will be clearly stated name
Y, that 40 per cent of the customs receipts Of
the norts of La C;uayra and Porto Cabello are
to he set aside by Venezuela for the satisfaction
of her creditors and that the question as 70
whether the allied powers shall receive prefer
ential treatment, or, as Great Britain terms IT,
"separate" treatment, in the settlement. snail
be referred to The Hague These protocols also
will provide that Venezuela shall pay down 10
each of the three allied powers to,Jo as a nrst
cash payment The differences between these
protocols, 1t is said, will concern certain details.
the nature of which Is not yet known even to
Mr. Bowen The German protocol Will be SUB
nitted to him tomorrow by Baron Won stern
bure, for consideration Afterward Mr. Bowen
will go to the British Embassy, in view of the
illness of the British Ambassador. and there
will see the protocol drawn up by Lord Lans-
downe.
The Italian Ambassador. Signor Mayer des
Planches, will bring his protocol to MI Bowen
to. morrow for consideration.
MANNER OF ADJUSTING CLAIMS
Having arranged for the signature OF these
will take up Ine
second protocols which are 10 cover ire man
- 90 -diud;catine the claims of the various
o4i,or nov.ers and the means for lne ad-
,,,;ris.r,tio, or the customs receipts AS an
ro,,cad Yesterday the claims of each power are
to he settled bv commission TO consist III eeeh
ir~tance of d representative or the creui'or so
eminent and a Venezuelan ana III case vi
f,i1,,ra IN agree the King Of Spain Will appoint
the arbit-r.
The nlan for the collection OF the payments =
provides that the Caracas government
administer the customs recelpts uhiesS I'm
do,-s ORC allowed to elapse without the prompt
pavn1ent to any nation of It's snare III VIM"
evart the Belgian Government is empowered ~
-. o,+s +o take charge Of the custom
,,sas and administer the payments un'li tHs
,i,s Of all the nations are satished
- 80 odn,;tted tonight that some days may
- ,sro either of the protocols can be
s,a,,.d o,,in, to the minor differences. but ne
e.:o+;or. orc expected to move swiftly
or-rsr1oNs FOR DECISION.
,.,;,,,s,ration and diplomatic circles the
- -. Tho Hague is regarded as victory
,.. poven as Venezuela thereby is
olIoa 20 racover from the distressing erect OF
- t1o.,,.de before starting upon the payment
.h.a The cumbersome machinery OF
,,, 1y.ors tt is expected. will delay matters
.,h,,. and the payment OF creator ma
- a,,,o+ begin until the important question
',o-' - rovuent for the allies is decided.
- % - ~ The Hague tribunal may not be
aun for some months. The tri-
I ,o will decide the vita! question TO
-, american States as to whether
-,.aaos and commandments entitle powers TO
.o,,iaI treatment at the hands OF their
- coming from The Hague IL will estab-
w .c.dent while decision the point
i'N n-as,aent Roosevelt would have carried
.,,cb weight as decisive of a point Of inter-
a,;onal law. The effect of an adverse nndins
- .,a President therefore. could not have pre-
+ed the allied powers from repeating their
,,-.de next month IL they desired. whereas
= a,.arse verdict from The Hague would add
a,- canon 10 the law of nations. and stop
,,cb a course or practice completely II was to
natr this principle which vitality affects not
o,l,, the future OF Venezuela. but or the other
o,,hlics NJ this continent. that Mr- Bowen. IL
,s saia stood out for arbitration by The Hague
al instead of by the President
~