The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05
Representatives of Allied Powers Trying Their Best to
 Reach an Agreement
THEIR EFFORTS BEING
 ENDORSED BY MIR. BOWEN
British and German Trade Is Suffering Greatly and 1t Is Feared They May Become Unpopular Unless
 Blockade Is Raised.

Washington, February 4.-Every effort is being made by the representatives of the allies here to secure an early settle ment of the Venezuelan dispute without referring 1t to The Hague. In this effort the Italian and British ambassadors and the German minister. Baron Spec von Sternberg, are receiving the endorsement of Mr. Bowen, as well as the cordial ap- proval of the government of the United States. It is understood the President, while in no way connected with the ne- gotiatons, is personally in favor of final agreement being reached at Wash ington. This fact, 1t is believed, will have an important bearing on the decis- ion of the British and German foreign offices.
 The British ambassador and the Ger man minister both have cabled to their governments the fact that MT. Bowen has expressed his willingness to give the allies preferential treatment for three months in order that they may emerge from the controversy without injury to their honor.
 The allies have not yet received the last representations of their envoys here urging an acceptance of this plan. Ad- vices reached here from Berlin this aft ernoon of an important nature, but as- surances are given that they were sent prior to the submission of the last propo- sition, and affected only detail of the controversy. Their purport was not dis couraging. It may be some days before a final answer reaches Washington, hut all the negotiators feel hopeful of suc- cessful outcome.
 The Three Months Proposition.
 At joint conference at the British embassy today, the three months propo sition was dicussed at length. and the question of the possible reference Of the case to The Hague was considered. It was considered that the claimant nations will suffer far more than Venezuela if the Washington negotiations fail. While MT. Bowen in his note rejecting the fast proposition of the allies that they receive twenty and the other credit powers ten per cent of the customs receipts of La- Guayra and Porto Cabello, stated that Veyezuela would assent to the reference of this one point to The Hague. there is a strong probability that weeks would elapse before a preliminary protocol even along these simple lines could be drawn up. And once the question of settling the entire dispute at The Hague is raised. Venezuela stands ready to interject count less details into the protocol, which the allies representatives are quite sure they cannot allow to be arbitrated. All this will serve only to complicate further an ugly situation and the negotiations feel that its main effect will be an inc crease of unrest throughout the United States and South America against the al- lied powers.
 Trade Is Suffering.
 British and German trade, it is pointed out, Is suffering greatly from the main tenance of the blockade. The British ambassador had long conference tith Secretary Hay today and in the mean time Baron Spec Won Sternberg was call ing on MT. Bowen. The British ambas- sador was desirous of knowing the atti- tude of the Washington government re- specting a reference of the dispute to The Hague and the fact that the adrSn- istration favors a prompt settlement by the Washington negotiators themselves, induced him to lay before his government the reasons why acceptance of the pre- ferential treatment for three months was desirable.
 It is regarded as fortunate here that the negotators themselves are acting in harmony. Early in the Venezuelan ne- gotiations the British ambassador pledg- ed himself to do all in his power to set tie the Venezuelan dispute as soon as possible and all his efforts in this direc- tion are receiving the endorsement of the Washington government. It is stated in an authoritative quarter that the Presi- dent and German empire are both taking keen interest in the early adjustment of the dispute, feeling that no good can come from prolonging the blockade.
 Germany Is Trifle Sore.
 Berlin February 4.-Some disappoint- ment is felt by the German foreign office at the action of Minister Bowen in con ferences with the ambassadors at Wash ineton. MT. Bowen, it is said here, i'm nresses the representatives or the allies as allowing his fighting spirit to over- hear his desires for peaceful settle ment. His demeanor at the conferences is described as that of an advocate de- lending an innocent, persecuted client Resides, the foreign office regards Mir. Bowen's first proposition as having been changed after it had been accepted, and if is held that it is not cIearly stated, and for that reason was misunderstood The British and German governments claim that MT. Bowen proposed setting apart 30 per cent of the customs of Da- Guayra and Puerto Cabello Tor the liqui- dation of their claims alone, and so ac- cepted it provisionally. Later. upon -lg- uring on the future receipts on the basis Wa aofi mai fod