The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-11
His ShreWdness Prevented Them from Securing Prefefen-
 tiaI Treatment
HE DID NOT EXPECT
 TASK 10 BE So EASY
Blue Book Issued Showing the Whole Transaction, and Proves Mir. Bow en One of the cieverest Dip
 Iomats of the Dayo

Washington, May 10. = How Great Britain, Germany and Italy, for the ask ing. could have secured from Venezuela preferential treatment in the settlement of their claims, had they asked in time and thereby been relieved of the neces- sity of an appeal to The Hague, with its consequent expense and delay, is told in the Blue Book which MT, Herbert w. Bowen, who acted as Venezuelas pleni- potentiary in the peace negotiations at Washington, has prepared, containing the correspondence and cablegrams relat- ing to the Venezuelan protocols.
 It shows that President Castro con- ferred on MT. Bowen two sets of powers, one authorizing him to conduct negotia- tions exclusively with the representa- tives of the allied powers Great Britain Germany and Italy, and the other grant ing him full authority to effect settle- ment with the representatives of all na- tions having claims against Venezuela. MT. Bowen, on the day of his arrival here. called at the embassies of the al- lied powers to present his credentials. He presented first his full powers, though expecting that these would be objected to promptly, In which event he intended to fail back on the original powers grant ed him. Instead, the Italian and British ambassadors and the German charge ac- cepted without question Mir Bowen's let ters empowering him to negotiate with all the creditor nations. In so doing they waived at the outset the question of sep arate or preferential treatment for their governments, and this point was not raised until the peace protocols were practically ready for signature.
 Castro Willing to Arbltrate.
 The Blue Book begins with President Castros note of December g, 1902, ex- pressing his willingness to arbitrate the differences of the allied powers and the Caracas government, and requesting MT Bowen to represent Venezuela as arbi- , t1.ator Many cablegrams were exchanged between Venezuela and the allies via Washington before they would agree to President Castro's proposition for prelim- mary negotiations at Washington look ing to the raising of the blockade. The allies stood out for immediate reference tto The Hague of the entire question until Secretary Hay transmitted to them ca blegram from MT. Bowen at caracas uointing out the unreasonableness of ..forcing" any nation to carry contro- yersy to The Hague which is essentially a peace tribunal.
 The book makes public for the first time the text of MT. Bowen's note Of February 20 to Sir Michael Herbert, the British ambassador, which for time threatened to break off negotiations. It is as follows:
 q have given due consideration to your governments proposition that two-thirds of the 30 per cent of the customs receipts of LaGuayra and Puerto Cabello be given to allied powers and that the remaining nne-third be paid to the peace powers. That proposition I must decline. l can not accept even in principle that prefer entiaI treatment can be rightly obtained bv blockades and bombardments. It would be abundantly offensive to modern civilization to recognize that principle and to incorporate it into the law of nations. as 1t would have to be, if the allied powers and the peace powers should agree to it and acknowledge 1t. Further more that proposition is objectionable because it would keep the allied powers allied for a period of more than six years. Venezuela cannot, am sure. be expected to encourage the maintenance of alliances against her. On this side of the water we want peace. not alliances.
 Leaves to The Hague.
 .syow. as the question of preferential treatment Is the only one on Wmch we have not agreed, hereby propose that we leave that question to The Hague. What we have already agreed upon we can hold to and stand by. We need only to add to it that we have decided to submit the question of preferential treat ment to The Hague.
 .'If this proposition is accepted-and don't see how 1t can be declined-there would be, of course, reason to continue the blockade.
 .This solution of the controversy Is honorable to all parties and I beg you to communicate 1t to your colleagues at vour earliest convenience"
 Sir Michael Herbert demanded a re- traction of the entire note, but MT. Bowen refused to comply with the demand. The correspondence shows that thereupon ne- eotiations on the part of the allies with MT. Bowen were broken off and that Pres fdent Roosevelt was invited to arbitrate inc entire matter. In this correspondence the British government took exception to MT. Bowens statement that the Anglo German alliance would be continued for six years. were the allies given preferen- ttal treatment and the state department was assured that the British foreign office was of the opinion that such would not be the case. The state department receiv- ed these assurances as information, Pres ident Roosevelt announcing his inability to accept the invitation to arbitrate the matter, and negotiations with MT. Bowen were resumed.
 Not Party to Invitation.
 venezuela's representative was not a party to the arbitration invitation to r, 1.t.f fc xrfo specting 1t appear from the following note which he sent several weeks ago to the British ambassador:
 You never gave me copy of your