Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-01-29

wish to appear to be forcing Geamany
into form of settlement not entirely
satisfactory TO the latter country, es-
pecially as it is now pretty well estab-
lished that it was at the solicitation OF
Great Britain that Germany entered into
the alliance with her. 1t is learned to-
day that it was this subject of preferences
that occupied most Of the time at last
nights meeting of the diplomates
Minister Bowen insists that there shall
be no preference in favor Of
the powers comprising the triple alliance.
He was shrewd enough to obtain from
the other diplomates their personal assent
to the reasonableness of this proposition
before they had communicated it to their
governments, and now they are in the
rather embarrassing position of having
their action practically repudiated by
their principals, unless the note which
they sent today will have the effect of
persuading the powers that it will be to
the best interests of all concerned to
accept Venezuela's proposals. Mr..
Bowen spent considerable time mt the
State Department this morning going
over the situation with Secretary Hay.
He has not yet received the final definite
replies of the powers, and still hopes that
they will be favorable. If unfavorable
he will probably throw up the entire
matter and let it go to the Hague, as
was originally proposed. The Hague
would be obliged to consider the claims
of other countries as well as those Of
Germany, Great Britain and Italy For
this reason Minister Bowen considers
his position practically unassailable,
1t was nearly one o'clock this morn
ing when the conference at the Airing
ton Hotel between Minister Bowen,
Count Quadt Sir Michael Herbert and
Mayor des Planches broke up. There
suit was an identical note dispatched
today by each of the foreign representa-
tives to his government, detailing the
agreement reached at the meeting and
asking authority to sign protocol along
these lines. This agreement, it is un-
derstood, provides for the raising Of the
blockade at once and the manner in
which the claims of the various powers
shall be paid. So far as can be learned |
Mr.. Bowen's proposals in respect to the
latter will carry. He has insisted that |
the priority of France who, before the
opening of hostilities by the tripartite
alliance, had secured settlement with
Venezuela by which 10 percent of the
gross customs of the country were to be
devoted to paying off her claims shall
be maintained. Since the allies at the
request of France and in the beginning
of the blockade declared that she should
not be disturbed in this matter they can
hardly fail now to recognize her lien.
Mr.. Bowen has also insisted that all the
those that did not participate in
the blockade as well as those that did,
shall receive a pro rata of the 30 per
cent. of the customs of the two ports of
Puerto Caballo and La Guayra. Should
,he.other claims be shut out from partic-
patton, there would be nothing to pre-
'ent these powers, which include the
United States, from instituting a sup
Elementary blockade prior to final
ettlement and thus undoing all of the
york of the past two weeks and indef-
nitely postponing the date when the
hree allies, and France, as well, shall |
eceiye their money. Germany has OPP
'osed this condition and so has Great {
Britain to a modified extent but it is
loped here that both will change their
ttitude. 1t is the belief of the partic- {
pants in last nights conference that
for the signing of the prelimi- {
ary protocol will be received from the !
oreign offices at London, Berlin and
rome within "a hours. Minister
Bowen needs no further instructions Z
rom President Castro in order to bind :
yenezuela to the suggested agreement.
according to statement from Mr.
Bowen, after the conference, clear I'M {
Outstanding was reached on the main /,
'oints at issue.
The bill creating the department Of
ommerce and labor was today sent to a
difference committee between the 9
House and Senate for agreement on the
ending amendments. The conferees !
n the part of the Senate will be Sena-
ors Hanna, Nelson, and Quay. The /
of which Senator Hanna
as chairman, and which was appointed a
, prepare an amendment to the Sec
on establishing bureau of corpora !
ons in the new department, providing b
nat ali corporations engaged in inter- 0
ate commerce should make reports at Il
ated intervals as to their actual bust Il
ess condition, made its report which
as adopted by the full committee. n
he amendment includes all publicity r
atures recommended by Attorney G
eneral Knox, as indispensable TO the +
roper control of trusts. BY sending Il
le bill to conference and having the O.
nendment first adopted there, the j
ieasure is given a better standing. A rt
difference report is always privileged, +
nd the action taken today ensures the 81
loption of this feature of antitrust s.
gislation.
Senator Morgan, of Alabama, has .,
wen notice that he is unalterably OPP :;
Dsed to the Columbia treaty and that cs
e will talk it to death. h,
Miss Ruth Hanna at a dinner last Al
ght formally announced her engage m
ent to Medill Mccormick, of Chicago. 9,
There is dissension in the American r
ational Red Cross Society. Members a.
the executive committee are dissatis- y
ID with the management of the Red n
ross OF Miss Clara Barton and today .,
ey laid their grievances before Congress a,
the form of memorial.
Cnnntor Onar,a action in offering the