Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-05
Trying to Hasten Settlement
Of the Venezuelan Dispute.
AWAITING AN ANSWER
ALLIES ATTITUDE ON LATEST
PROPOSITION NOT KNOWN HERE.
Their Representatives Have Urged Ac-
Minister Bowen's Position.

Every effort is being made by the repre-
sentatives of the allies here to secure an
early settlement of the Venezuelan dispute
without referring 1t to The Hague. In this
effort the Italian and British ambassadors
and the German envoy, Baron Speck Won
Sternburg, receiving the Endorsement of
Mr.. Bowen, as well as the cordial approval
Of the government of the United States. 1t
Is understood that the President, while in
no way connected with the negotiations, is
personally in favor of a final agreement be-
ing reached at Washington. This fact, it is
believed, will have an important bearing on
the decision of the British and German for
eign offices.
The Allies Notified.
The British ambassador and the German
envoy have both cabled to their govern
ments the fact that Mr.. Bowen has ex-
pressed his willingness to give the allies
preferential treatment for three months in
order that they may emerge from the con-
troversy without injury to their honor The
allies have not yet answered the last rep
resentations of their representatives here
urging an acceptance of this plan. AdviceS
have reached here from Berlin of an i'm
portant nature, but assurances are given
that they were sent prior to the submission
OF the last proposition, and affected only
0Sldll VI luc Controversy utlr puTpOfI
was not discouraging. 1t may be some
days yet before a final answer reaches
Washington, but all the negotlators feel
hopeful of a successful outcome.
Count Quadt first secretary Of the Ger
man embassy, who prior to the arrival Of
the German envoy, Baron Sternburg, had
charge OF the German negotiations here
was an early caller on Mr.. Bowen this
morning, with whom he spent some time in
conference. His visit was merely one OF in
Quiry regarding certain details OF the propo-
stion now under consideration that the al
lies receive preferential treatment for three
months.
Equal Treatment to the Allies.
Mr.. Bowen. in answering his inquiries, as
sured the count that he would play no ia
vorites as between the allies themselves,
but that Germany and Italy were to receive
exactly the same treatment accorded Great
Britain. This will probably set at rest the
runrors that have been afioat that the Lon
don government was to receive more ad-
vantageous terms than Germany and Italy
because of her representations that she
was most desirouS of having the alliance
broken and the blockade raised. Mr.. Bowen
feels 1t is no more than fair that the three
blockading powers shall be given the same
treatment. This fact has been cabled to
Berlin and Rome, and it Is believed will
produce excellent results there.
Popular Discomfort in Germany.
An intimation has reached here that some
dissatisfaction IS expressed in conservative
CIRCLES in Germany over the proongation for
an indefinite period of the triple alliance
respecting Venezuela. This is one of the
first fruits Of Mr.. Bowen's note in answer
to the British proposal Monday evening. 1t
was no matter of surprise to the officials
here that there should be an uprising in
England when Mr.. Bowen pointed out the
trend of events, but 1t was scarcely eX-
pected that similar though smaller ebulli-
ton should follow in Germany, where there
Is a considerable element bitterly opposed
to any English alliance beyond the neceS-
stiles Of the moment.
Pressure of that kind from behind IS
stimulating the desire of the allies repre-
Sentatives here TO close up the Venezuelan
liter at the earliest possible moment, and,
as indicated yesterday, If they cannot reach
direct agreement with Mr.. Bowen all
points at issue within a very few days they
will certainly agree 10 the reference of the
dispute TO The Hague tribunal The way is
now clear for such reference If the ne
Eotiators desire Ii, Venezuela through Mr..
Bowen, being prepared TO supply all reason
able guarantees and to comply with the
only remaining conditions precedent in the
shape of small cash payments of individual
claims. The negotlatorS themselves, how
ever, leaving aside the advantage to be
gained by complete and immediate settle
ment from an international standpoint, are
naturally anxious to add 10 their reputation
as diplomatists by carrying 10 a successful
issue the important, novel and delicate task
now intrusted to them, 50 that after all
personal feeling may prove a sensible fac
tor in the closing up of the negotiations
here.
Report of Heated Interview.
LONDON. February 5.-Dispatches have
been received in official quarters in London
and Berlin saying that the diplomatic air
in regard to the Venezuelan question was
Considerably cleared" as a result of the
interview between Ambassador Herbert
and Minister Bowen on Saturday
According to the dispatches Sir Michael
Herbert made some plain-spoken observa-
tions respecting the conduct of the negotia-
tions and the interview altogether was
somewhat heated"
To Amend the District Bill.