The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1903-01-01
WAS OUR PLAIN DUTY
As One Signatory OF The Hague
Convention to Suggest
Arbitration.
REFERRING TO THE gIEEzuEIA Row
Why We Opposed theelause We Have
just Now Urged-Castro
Is Very Slow.

Caracas. Dec. 31.-President Castro
arrived here yesterday morning. At
p. m. United States Minister Bowen
called upon the president and commu-
nicated to him the recommendation
that the issues between Venezuela and
the allies be taken to the international
peace court at The Hague. Venezuela g
answer was received this morning at
IL O'Clock
London, Dec. a. Adispatch to The
Daily Hail from willemstad, Curacao,
dated yesterday. says: The postmas-
ter. Of Maracaibo, Venezuela, having
detained correspondence belonging to
German merchants the German cruiser
Fake threat tens to lombard the town" /"
Washington, Dec. 81. - President
Castro's answer to the allies proposal
to arbitrate the Venezuelan troubles
has not been received. In fact, Secre-
tary Hay had nothing of Importance
on the Venezuelan situation to COM
municate to the cabinet There are,
however, under discussion such ques-
tons as those relating to the best
means Of terminating the blockade,
and other matters touching the per-
sonnel Of the commission which 1t is
expected will meet In. Washington to
Jay down the lines of. the arbitration
scheme.
This Notes Some Exceptions.
Inasmuch as certain. European pub
licists have taken EXCEPTION to the ef-
forts of the United States to bring
about arbitration between Venezuela
and the allies as violation of all the
traditions and rules Of international
intercourse, the attention of one of the
most eminent United States represen-
tatives at The Hague 'conference-one
Of the men who framed The Hague
convention itself-was directed to the
criticisms. He very promptly cleared
away the Misunderstanding on this
point by pointing to a{ucle 81. Of The
Hague convention as4iustifcation OF
the attitude Of the United States. :.
Arsicle That He Cited. =, -.
This article reads: 1.-The signatory
powers consider 1t their duty, II seri.
Gus dispute threatens to break out be
tween two or more Of them. to re
mind these latter that the permanent
court is open to them. Consequent
ly they declare that the fact of re
minding the conflicting parties OF the
provision Of the present convention
and the advice given to them. In the
highest interests of peace. to have re-
course to the permanent court, can
only be regarded as friendly action
Same Clause and the Doctrine.
The paragraph was proposed by
France, and singularly enough it was
opposed principally by the United
States. yet the United States is the
first of the nations to avail of its pro
visions. The reason for the opposi
a
their part that 1t would seem to be
bestowal of power upon European
countries to Intervene in American af
fairs and In manner an infringe
ment of the Monroe doctrine. The
French delegates were exceedingly
anxious to carry the paragraph. how.
ever. and they finally succeeded in
quieting the opposition of the United
States delegated through the reserva
ton by the latter. Of the right tG
deal with American affairs in accord
ance with our established doctrines
This was thought to safeguard the
Monroe doctrine, though it is held here
that 1t only reconded an opinion Of thu
United States delegates. and did not
bind The Hague tribunal as q whole.
sUCCEssEs FOR PRESIDENT CAsrRG