The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-09
Signing of Document VIII
 Raise the Blockade
BOWEN SPENDS 4 BUSY DAY
Calls on Representatives of France, Germany and EngIand-Powers May Share Part of vene-
 .zuela's Expense.

washington, February S.-The represen- tatives of the allies here are busily en- gagged in the preparation of the protocol which they are to sign with MT. Bowen, Venezuela's representative for the refer ence to The Hague of the question wheth- CT the blockading powers shall be entitled to preferential treatment of their claims. The blockade will be raised when the protocol Is signed. They are in constant communication with their governments. and are anxious to cover every detail which should be comprised in an instru- ment of this character.
 MT. Bowen also is anxious that the protocols shall be identical so far as this may be possible, and he is directing his efforts to that end, and also that they shall be signed on the same day. Mir. Bowen was in communication with the English and Italian ambassadors and the German minister today. He saw Sir Mich ael Herbert at the latter's home, the ann bassador still having disagreeable cold. From the instructions he has received Ambassador Herbert has prepared the
  to Minister Bowen. It was the first of the three protocols which have been pre- pared and the manner in which it was drawn was very satisfactory to Venez- uela's representative. Nothing seriously objectionable has been inserted in it's provisions and the minister found only one or two places where he felt called on to suggest any change. He is convinced that the ambassador is making every ef- fort to bring the vexatious matter to a close and arrange the protocol which will be mutually satisfactory
 Italian Sees Mir. Bowen.
 The Italian ambassador, Signor Mayor des Planishes, was at MT Bowen's apart ments on two occasions today with refer ence to the terms of the protocol, and Baron Speck von Sternberg Is working diligently on the German protocol. He saw MT. Bowen today for conference regarding some future of the instrument. MT Bowen continues optimistic of an early settlement and speedy raising of the blockade. He is hopeful that no per- plexing or vexatious problems may inter- vene now that the matter has progressed so far, and that it will not be long before the whole question is settled in it's pri- mary stages, the raising of the blockade, arbitration of the question of the prefer ential treatment and the protocols signed for the settlement of the claims them selves, including those of the allied and of the unallied powers.
 Provision of British Protocol.
 The British protocol provides for the reference of the contention of the allies for preferential treatment to The Hague for settlement, for the payment by Vene- zuela to Great Britain of f5500 cash and for the immediate raising of the block ade. The matter of the adjudication of the claims and the payment of the 30 per cent out of which they are to be paid, is left for the second protocol.
 Italy, it has been learned. wishes to have inserted in her protocol an article providing for change in her treaty of amnasity with Venezuela so as to in- cIude the favored nation clause, such as other powers possess MT. Bowen has explained that while he Is willing to use his infleunce to secure this, he can do nothing more in the protocol than recom- mend 1t as the matter Is entirely irrev- elant to the present controversy. There are also other provisions in the protocol which do not meet the approval of MT. Bowen and the Italian ambassador has cabled to Rome for permission to With q draw them.
 Regarding the German protocol, little is known except that 1t is along the gen eral lines of the other two. Several changes have been made in 1t since yes terday It Is understood that the Ger man protocol will be somewhat shorter and more concise than the British and probably will not contain more than eight articles It will provide for an initial payment of the same amount as those of Italy and Great Britain. The last country will receive its first pay ment in cash, Germany and Italy being content to receive theirs thirty days after the signing of the protocol.
 The fact developed today that some of the unallied claimant powers are con- sidering the matter of sharing the ex- pense which Venezuela will be put to in carrying her case to The Hague since a decision would affect their claims.