The sun., 1903-02-01

Won SternberR will take common-sense
view OF tho situation and express fully TO
ms oJvernment Ibis opinion as to the best
course for Germany to pursue. His intimate
personal relations with President Roosevelt
v III give him tho rtunity Of ascert aim
ing exactly tire reasons for the suspicion
that Germany Ia not the friend Of the United
states. Already there Is a disposition here
70 laugh at the fears expressed Vver the
ierinaii busaboo. This u due mainly to
the growing belief, hased on statements
made in tho diplomatic circle. that 1t is
Gre9t Britain. and not Germany. that is
preventing the settlement VI tho Venezuelan
trouble.
MIR. Bowen tonight. after q visit FROM
Baron Speck Won S,ernterg. made public
nus second statement since the b. ginning
VI the negotiations The st teuent was
occasioned by reports from Berlin indicating
ither sincere Misunderstanding or de-
liberate Misrepresentation Of the Is per
cent. clause OF the proposition, IL being
asserted in Berlin that the 20 per cent.
OF the customs to be reserved for the claims
Of all countries included the 10 per cent
reservation for previously settled claims.
Mr.. Bowen Insists that tie 80 per cent.
does not Include q guar al, ee for the lay
ment Of claims against Venezuela that
have already been ad Jude led. He de-
clares that he has nothing whatever to do
with settled claims. that he represents
Venezuela only in the matter of unset tied
claims and hat this should be clearly UNDER
stood. He says:
There has been so much misunders.and-
t,,n rit tA tAn ~ q aya
that | am willing TO make this Statement
An settled foreign claims are covered 10y
the Is yer cent. arrangement. The 80 per
cent. now ofeie refers exclusively 70 un-
settled claims. which not only the blockal-
ing p wers but the peaceful PJwers are
crossing for settlement. II is absolutely
false that the i3 per cent. arrangement l.,
included in the so per cent. proposition. 1t
u entirely distinct"
Mr. Bowen IL not prepared TO recede In
the slightest from his position that the
b!ocknding Powers ara not entitled to pref.
erentlal treatment. and he Is still hopeful
that Great Britain. Germany and Italy
will within the next forty-eight hours
accept his explanation Of this matter
In fact, he has been encouraged this after
noon to believe that the blockading Powers
will yield with little delay. and that the
entire difficulty will be settled within a
week or ten days
Mr. Bowen Ia not alone in his desire to have
| the question determined without reference
to The Hague. 1t has developed that Baron
tSpeck Is also In opposition to a reference
" TIE Hague of the claims Of the Powers
aud has come to Washington with authority
to close the matter up with Mr.. Bowen.
Baron Speck called upon Minister Bowen
| this afternoon about 4 o'clock in perfectly
informal manner. and Mr.. Bowen explained
10 him the authority he had from President
| Castro to represent Venezuela.
lie remarked that Count Quadt had been
very ac, i've and helpful in the neeotiat ionr
20 far and impressed upon Baron Won Stern
,rg his wish hat the pending questions be
settled a. quickly ~ possible and with
fairness to all the Powers having claims
against Venezuela, saying that 1t was
Presiden. Cast o's wish hat all the countries
receive equal treat ulent without favor to
any. He also pointed out to the Baron
how in guarding TO his utmost the interests
OF Germany, he should not lose sight OF the
benefit which Germany would derive from
a speedy acceptance OF the proposition al
ready submitted by Mr.. Bowen.
Baron Speck was not slow to perceive
the advan, age to be gained for Germany y
L II should be found that the Emperor was
willing to accept Mr.. Bowen's proposition
and that Great Britain opposed it. no
,old Mr.. Bowen that lie wss anxious TO take
the question up without delay ard proceed
% an early agreement. but he did not ap-
pear wiling to waive the forn,aity OF a re-
turn coll and enter upon the negotiations
tonight, and. AT Mr.. Bowens request, set
, O'Clock tomorrow afternoon as the hour
when he would be glad TO receive Mr. Bowen
a, the German Embassy