The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-31
Allied Powers Have Not Yet Re- piled to His Recent
 Proposition
OTHER CREDITORS MAY BE
 LINED UP AGAINST THEM
If Early Reply Is Not Forthcoming Bowen Proposes Calling Confer ence of Creditors and Take
 Matter to The Hague.

Washington, January SO.-The European allies have not yet answered Minister Bowen's proposal made several days ago that there shall be no preference of claims of Great Britain. Germany and Italy against Venezuela over those of other nations In the South America coun- try. Minister Bowen thinks the delay should be construed In hopeful light. on the ground that the delay in the an- swer of the pow CTS indicates that they realize the impor tance of his position in the matter and are giving the subject careful consideration.
 He still expects a favorable reply to his proposal, and believes that the question at Issue will be settled at Washington between himself. acting for the govern ment of Venezuela, and the representa- tives of the powers It was reported that an answer to Mir Bowens proposal had been received In Washington, but the report cannot be officially confirmed. The answer, if received, was not transmitted to Mir. Bowen. If the answer did arrive the suspicion Is that 1t was nnfayorable to MT. Boyens contention, and, in view of his positive attitude in the matter, was not presented to him. but was 1thheld by the representa- tives of the allies in or der that they might again impress upon their governments the importance of the question before submitting final answer.
 Bowen Sends Ultmatum.
 It became known today that Minister Bowen had addr essed to the representa- tives of all countries a communication which might in measure be regarded as an ultimatun defining his position. Minister Bowen declines absolutely to discuss the question, but 1t is known that l l. led
 in their determination to receive prefer | entia1 treatment in the matter of the set I clement of the claims, he would call to- i gether tho other creditor nations having claims against Venezuela with view | to their making a formal protest against the demands of those who participated in the blockade The effect of this would be that the other seven creditor nations would be lined up against three allied powers with the result that the settle ment of the whole matter in all proba- bility might go to The Hague, if 1t is to be settled al all. This note 1t is be- lieved will have the effect in staying the final determinatfO on of the question by the allied governments.
 Refreshing His Memory.
 Minister Bowen spent a good part of the afternoon at the state department, where for a time he was in consultation with Secretary Hay. The main object Of hls visit was to refresh his memory in regard to a number of details affecting thu claims of the allies. Before 1t was decided he should go to Washington Minister Bowen prepared with considerable care the entire case Of Venezuela and forward ed 1t to the state department from Ca- racas. The Washington government, therefore, has on file a full statement regarding the Venezuela dispute which will prove of considerable aid In the event that the United States in common with ha other claim r mowers. Is forced 1ntO the negotiations at Washington in order to protect its interests.
 May Go to The Hague.
 If MT. Bowen cannot adjust Venezuelas claims with the allies, the purpose is to have The Hague arbitration tribunal pass on them. But just how the Venezuelan question Is to get before The Hague Tn the event of MT Bowen's failure to ad- just the differences, Is not quite clear. It is inconceivable to the administration that there should be renewal of hostil- tiles on the Venezuelan coast and more putting on of the screws"
 No matter how Mir Bowen's work shall turn out, The Hague tribunal comes nat urally Into sight as port of safety. But to place a case before the tribunal re- qures the laying down of certain basic propositions of matters to be arbitrated and agreement on the limitations to be placed on the arbitration, and it is dffi- cult to conJecturN how all hands can De brought together on the complex and dif- ferent propositions involved in an ar engagement of the protocol. For instance one point which will undoubtedly be hard to agree on will be the results of the present blockade and whether or not Ven- ezuela may not properly regard the dam ages inflicted on her as offsets to the claims of the powers. Mir. Bowen, al- ready looking ahead, has prepared long
 list of such injuries inflicted upon Ven ezuela and this list grows with every days continua nee of the blockade, but from the tone of the representatives of the allies here. 1t Is quite certain that they would resist to the utmost the pre- sentatons of any such offsets.