Bismarck daily tribune., 1903-02-03
COMPROMISE SCHEME.
ANOTHER EFFORT BEING MADE
TO SOLVE THE VENEZUELAN
PROBLEM.
DETAILS NOT OBTAINABLE

foTmduy received Mr. oCWenS En-
dorsement, 1t Is Felt That He viii
Not Offer Serious Objection.
Washington, Feb. 2.-Propositions
Involving q compromise of the allied
powers contention for preferential
treatment in the settlement of their
claims against Venezuela have been
submitted to the governments of Great
Britain, Germany and Italy by their
representatives at Washington, and,
while no answers have been received
as yet, there is reason for the belief
that the allies will see way 10 accept
the latest proposition. This compro-
mise has been suggested by one of the
representatives of the allies here, and,
while it has not formally received
the endorsement of Minister Bowen,
it is felt that he will not enter serious
objection to its adoption, provided the
United States ard the other claimant
nations outside the alliance can be
convinced that their own interests in
Venezuela will not be substantially
injured by yielding to plan which
seems to offer a solution Of the pres
ent serious hitch in the Washington
negotiations.
The details Of the proposition now
under consideration by the three al
lied nations are not Obtainable, but in
general way it is understood that
they be recognized as Venezuela's
preferred claimants in the payment Of
the indemnity. The plan suggested
provides that for short period, per-
haps six months or year, Great Brit
ain, Germany and Italy shall receive
exclusively 80 per cent Of the customs
receipts of the ports Of Puerto Ca
bello and La Guayra and that at the
end of this period, the exact length
of which is yet open to decision, all
the claimant nations be placed on the
same footing and at the expiration OF
that time the 80 per cent OF the re-
ceipts of these two ports be divided
among all the claimant nations in
ratio based on the amount OF each Ia
tion's claim.
The plan is regarded as a compro-
mise which will enable the allies 20
withdraw their ships from Venezuelan
waters without serious loss o.
prestige.
VIII the Other Powers Assent?
Whether the claimant nations out
side the triparte agreement VIII as
sent to this scheme is not yet known
The British ambassador called by ap-
pointment on Secretary Hay at :
O'Clock D. m and It is believed that
some such plan as this was under DIS
cussiOn. the British ambassador Wisn
ing to acQuaint himself with the exact
attitude of the United States regard
ing Lord Lansdowne's contention TOR
preferential treatment for the aires
France has II in her power to continue
the present deadlock in the Washing
ton negotiations. For while tne otheT
unallied claimants nave outstanding
against Venezuela certain unad.us,ed
claims. all of the French claims are 1U
q very forward state.
France contends that so far from as
sisting her In the collection o! heI
Venezuelan claims, the oloekaae' y
ANYTHING, has hampered her in that Il
has closed all the Venezuelan ports 10
commerce and has prevented tor 'he
time being the collection or the 10 per
cent Of the receipts pledged he' ny
treaty.
1t is the hope of the representatives
| Of the allies at Washington that N
case tnelr governments
principle the kind OF compromise sus
gested. they will not insist thai me
period for preferential payments pe
made so long as to prevent us ae
ceptance by the other claimant Nd
tiOns. 49,.
Mr.. Bowen has been assured tha'
the representatives of the allies mere
will give him a final answer al .ne
earliest possible moment Meah'ih''
exchanges are still IN progress We
tween the allied governments ana tne., ~
Respective embassies here IN the 81
I fort to agree on piaA % st'.'' ~. -
that will be acceptable at once to Ven
eznela and to the octagonal alliance
of France. Belgium Spain. Denmark
Holland. Norway. Sweden and 'ns
United States.