The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-02-10

SnOfLly before 4 o'clock
yesterday afternoon reached a decision
regarding the invitation of the allies
that he arbitrate the question of pref.
erential payment. The president will
send through the state department to
the British ambassador a refusal of
the invitation.
1t seems that the preferential ques-
ton will now go to The Hague, the
blockade being raised as soon as the
protocol is signed here.
Washington, Feb. 6.-Irriated by
the note of Minister Bowen, Vene.
zuela's representative, addressed to
the British ambassador on Monday
last refusing to accept the allies pro-
posal for a scheme of preferential
payment by which Great Britain.
Germany. and Italy were to receive 20
per cent and the remaining eight cred
ltor nations 10 per cent of the GUS
toms of La Guayra and Puerto Cabel-
10, the allied powers have instructed
representatives. here to submit
the question of preferential treatment
for settlement to President Roosevelt,
and in the event that he declines to
as arbiter to stake this and posi-
bly, the entire Venezuelan question to
The Hague for settlement, thereby
breaking off negotiations with Mr..
Bowen.
Will Meet Today.
At 10 o'clock tomorrow, at the Brit
ish embassy, there will be a confer
of the representatives here of the
allies. In view of the fact that the
London government is now taking
the lead in the negotiations, the Brit
ish ambassador will preside at this
In the meantime he ex-
poets to have an interview with the
secretary Of state, whom he will sound
as to the probability of the presidents
acceptance of the allies request. If it
is found that President Roosevelt is
not disposed to allow himself to be
dragged into the negotiations the in
of the allies are such as to
them to forego the embarrass-
ment of a rejection at the hands of
Mr.. Roosevelt, and instead of making
known their wishes to him steps will
be taken to draw up a protocol with
Mr.. Bowen for a reference of the case
to The Hague, as suggested by him
in his note of last Monday.
Great Britain First.
The British ambassador was the
first of the representatives to receive
instructions to this effect and the
matter was discussed at the monday
conference between the three repre-
sentatives of the allies. Announce
ment of the decision of the allies to
abandon further negotiations with
Mr.. Bowen has not been received with
surprise by the few officials of the
Washington government who have
been advised of it.
1.-THE Hague tribunal" said one Of
fetal of the administration tonight,
has all along been kept in sight as
a port of safety in cas- the negotia-
tons here were not productive of a
final settlement. And as for the sug-
gestion that the president act as ar
bitter, that has been a favorite idea of
the allies since the beginning of the
trouble"
Whether President Roosevelt will
accept this invitation of the allies is
not known. An official of the admin
istration expressed his surprise to-
night that the allies were willing to
submit this question to the president,
in view of the fact that their repre-
sentatives within the last few days
have informed them by cable that the
president views with disfavOr the con-
tention of the allies for preferential
treatment. There is the best author
ity for the statement that neither
Great Britain Nor Germany is desir-
Gus of submitting the case to. The
Hague.
instructions Not Clear.
The instructions received by the
British ambassador are not quite
clear as to the alternative to be pur-
sued in the event that the president
declines to act as arbiter of the ques-
ton of priority payments. 1t is not
known whether the. protocol, which
will then be drawn up with Mr..
Bowen, will provide for a reference
&c tho antiro naSa To The HaplR Or