The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-04
Original Draft Amended I'm a Manner
That Is Obnoxious to the Vene-
zueIan Government.
NEW ARTICLE WAS INSERTED
WHICH BOUND VENEZUELA TO PAY
COST OF THE BLOCKADE,
Providing the Decision Of The Hague
Tribunal Was Adverse to Prefer
entail Treatment.

WASHINGTON, April "A joint con-
ference between Mr.. Bowen and the Brit
ish and Italian ambassadors and the Ger
man first secretary was held at the British
embassy to-day. The meeting lasted an
hour and a half Mr.. Bowen presented his
reply to the amendments which the allies
had proposed to his original draft protocol.
He accepted several changes of phraseology
in the convention, but informed the other
negotiators that under no circumstances
would he accept the insertion of new ar
tic,e, providing that Venezuela should pay
the cost of the blockade in case the de-
cision at The Hague be adverse to prefer
entail treatment. His refusal on this point
was absolute. 1t was agreed that Mr.
Bowens objections and arguments should
be cabled at once to London, Berlin and
Rome. 1t Is not expected that an answer
can reach here before Wednesday. In the
meantime Mr.. Bowen will go to New York
for several days rest.
THE PROTOCOL.
Following is a text of the article and
draft protocol as submitted by Mr.. Bowen,
and nine-tenths of which the allies have
accepted:
article l. The question as to whether
are entitled to preferential treatment in
the payment of their claims against Ven-
ezuela by reason of the fact that they
blockaded the ports of Venezuela so as to
compel her to make a settlement with them,
shall be submitted for final decision to the
tribunal at The Hague. Venezuela having
agreed to set aside 80 per cent. of the GUS
toms revenues of Laguayra and Puerto
Cabello for the payment of the claims of
all nations against Venezuela the tribunal
at The Hague shall decide how the said
said nations, and its decision shall be final
Article 2. The facts on which shall de-
pend the decision of the questions stated in
Article 1 shall be ascertained in such man
ner as the tribunal may determine
article 8. The Car of Russia shall be
invited to name and appoint three arbitra-
tors to constitute the court that is to de-
termine and settle the questions submitted
to il under and by virtue of this protocol
The court shall meet on Sept. /, 1903. and
shall render its decision within six months
thereafter.
.Article 4. The proceedings shall be car
ried on in the English language. Except
as herein otherwise stipulated, the proceed
shall be regulated by The Hague con-
Article s. The court shall decide how.
when and by whom the costs of this arbi-
tration shall be paid.
Article s. Any nation having claims
COL"
The AMENDMENTS.
Mr.. Bowen himself since has suggested
an amendment TO the article providing for
use of the English language, by which
arguments TO the tribunal may be made In
other languages.
A number of amendments submitted by
the allies to the protocol drawn by Mr.
Bowen are verbal. or of minor Importance
and are acceptable to Mr.. Bowen among
these being one to strike out of Article 1
the words ''by reason of the fact that they
blockaded the ports OF Venezuela so as to
compel her TO make a settlement with
them" Mr.. Bowen, however. strenuously
objected to adding to Article of his proto-
col this amendment proposed by the allies
"In deciding the question OF preferential or
separate treatment TO be granted the block
aiding powers. the tribunal shall have re-
gard TO the resources of Venezuela other
than the 80 per cent. customs revenues so
set aside. which may be available for the
claims of other powers" He also opposed
inserting the following a new article, to
be designated Article 2:
IF preferential or separate treatment is
not given 10 Great Britain. Germany or
Italy. the tribunal may consider whether
anx and what comoensation should be made