Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-02-07

Washington. d. c. (SpeciaD.-Her-
bert w. Bowen, Venezuela's represen-
fative in the negotiations at Washing
ton for a settlement of the claims
against that country. has sent. through
fhe British ambassador here. what
amounts practically to an ultimatum
10 the allied powers OF Great Britain.
Germany and Italy regarding their IN
sistence for preferential treatment III
the settlement OF their claims against
Venezuela This note. which the British
ambassador received shortly before Q
o'clock. was cabled at once 10 London.
copies OF it being transmitted TO the
italian and German embassies Tor
transmission to Rome and Berlin II
Is in reply to the proposition submitted
Mt joint conference OF the negotiators
by the British ambassador that the al
lied powers be allowed two-thirds 81
20 per cent. OF the customs receipts OF
the ports of Laguayra and Porto Ca
bello, and that the United States and
the other claimant nations-France.
Belgium. Holland. Denmark. Spain
and Norway and Sweden-content
themselves with the remaining one
third OF this percentage-that IS. 10 per
cent. of the receipts OF these two ports.
In the note received by the British
Ambassador from Mr.. Bowen the lat
1er refuses pointblank the proposition
dor 20 and 10 per cent. division, on
the ground that TO recognize the prln-
ciple it embodies would be absolutely
offensive to modern civilization. In
view OF the fact that the negotiators arc
agreed on all save the question OF pref
erential treatment. the Ambassador Is
informed that Venezuela has decided To
submit that question to The Hague ar
filtration tribunal Acceptance OF this
~-aposition, Venezuela contends. car
With il a raising OF the blockade,
.ral understanding being that
.de would end when the ne
Washington had reached
mt
derstood that in refusing this
osition submitted by the Brit
.assador on behalf OF the allies.
owen takes the ground that he
Il accept in principle the conten-
.. that blockades and bombardmcnts
III forts. and the consequent killing OF
helpless men, women and children. en-
titles any power or alliance OF powers
10 preferential treatment at the hands
OF a civilized nation.
II is claimed that should the peace
powers and the blockading powers
agree to such a principle they would
incorporate in the law OF nations doc
srine in conflict with the tcnets OF all
modern day ethics.
Moreover. Venezuela, it is stated. re-
CARDS the preferential demand OF the
overs as Objectionable. because II
.ould enable the continuance OF the
iple alliance OF Great Britain. Ger
any and Italy for period OF six
ears or more. and in accepting IT
--renezuela would be encouraging and
and abettfng the :saintenance OF hostile
alliances against herself. The British
Ambassador is informed in the note
that Americans, North and South, want
peace, and not alliances.
Venezuela has taken special exception
TO the action of the British government
IN initiating this last proposition. by
which Great Britain can hold fast 10
iraany and Italy i'll their alliance
ist Venezuela until the last cent
claim is paid. The prediction is
in her response that surprise and
e of the kcenest sort will be felt
oughout the Americas when it is
own that Great Britain has even pro-
,sed continuing her present alliance
ith Germany and Italy one moment
-ger than is necessary. particularly i'll
OF her previous representations to
t that she was anxious 10 end
ezuelan dispute and call off the
at the earliest DOSSiblc time