Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-02-07
ULTIMATUM TO ALLIES
Demands For Preferential Treatment
of Venezuelan Claims Refused.
PEACE WANTED, NOT ALLIANCES

In Accepting Demands Venezuela
Would Aid in Maintaining Hostile
Alliance Against Herself-May be
Submitted to The Hague Tribunal.
Washington, Feb. 3.-Herbert w.
Bowen, Venezuela's representative in
the negotiations at Washington for q
settlement of the claims against that
country, has sent through the British
ambassador here what amounts prac-
dcally to an ultimatum to the allied
powers of Great Britain, Germany and
Italy regarding their insisteace for
preferential treatment in the settle
ment of their claims against Vene-
zuela- This note, which the British
ambassador received shortly before 8
o'clock last night, was cabled at once
to London, copies of it being trans
mitted to the German and Italian en-
bassies for transmission to Berlin and
Rome.
1t is in reply to the proposition
submitted at Joint conference of the
negotiators yesterday by the British
ambassador that the allied powers
be allowed two-thirds of 80 per cent.
OF the custom receipts of the ports of
La Guaira and Porto Cabello. and that
the United States and the other claim
ant nations, France, Belgium, Holland,
Denmark, Spain and Norway and Swe-
den content themselves with the re-
naming one-third of this percentage.
that is 10 per cent of the receipts CT
those two ports.
In the note received by the British
ambassador from Mr.. Bowen the lat
ter refuses point blank the PROPOSE.
ton for 20 and 10 per cent. division
on the ground that to recognize the
principle II vmbodies would be abso-
lutely offensive to modern civilization.
In view of the fact that the negotia-
tors are agreed on all save the ques-
ton OF preferential treatment, the am
bassador is informed that Venezuela
has decided to submit that question
to The Hague arbitration tribunal.
Acceptance of this proposition, Vene-
Zuela contends, carries with IL a rails
ing OF the blockade, the general un.
derstanding being that the blockade
would end when the negotiators at
Washington had reached an agree
ment
1t is understood that in refusing
this last proposition submitted by the
British ambassador on behalf of the
allies, Mr.. Bowen takes the ground
that he cannot accept in principle the
contention that blockades and bonn.
bardments OF forts, and the conse-
quent killing of helpless men, women
and children, entities any powers or
alliance of powers to preferential
treatment at the hands OF a civilized
nation. 1t is claimed that, should the
peace powers and the Olockading pow.
ers agree to such principle, they
would incorporate in the law of ma
tions doctrine in conflict with the
tenets OF all modern day ethics.
Moreover. Venezuela, It is stated.
regards the preferential demand of
the powers as Objectionable because
1T would enable the continuance of
the triple alliance of Great Britain.
Germany and Italy for a period of six
years or more, and in accepting it
Venezuela would be encouraging and
abetting the maintenance of hostile
alliances against herself The Brit
ish ambassador is informed in the
note that Americans, north and south,
want peace, and not alliances.