The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-04-12
WNEZUELA'SLASTCHANC
Our Minister Presents Ultimatum
to the Republic.
Asphalt and Other Claims Must Be Ar
bitrated at On~ce-Penniless
Condition OF Natives.

Washington, u. DIN calling upon
President Castro for an answer to his
proposition to submit TO arbitration the
issues between the United States and
Venezuela, Minister Bowen was acting
in accordance with specific instructions
from the State Department, which
have recently been placed in his hands.
Mr.. Bowen made a proposition of
this kind to the Venezuelan Foreign
Office several months ago, and there
was an exchange Of notes on the sub.
ject, but its further consideration was
cut off by the abrupt departure from
the capital Of President Castro, at a
moment when his own decision was
required. t:.s..
The Venezuelan Government at that
stage had made a counter proposition
to Mr.. Bowen looking to the arbitra-
ton Of the dispute by The Hague Tri-
bunal, but with the important qualifi-
cation that the tribunal should arbi-
trate as a preliminary the question
whether or not the United States Gov
eminent had the right under interna-
tional law to intervene at all between
the Venezuelan Government and Amer
lean concessionaires for the latter's
protection.
This was construed here as an at
tempt to bring into play the old Caivo
dortrine. which the United States has
res,lutely and repeatedly refused to
accept in its negotiations with the
southern republics.
Mr.. Bowen reported to the State De-
partment the fact Of President Cas-
tro's departure, and asked for instruc-
tions. These were prepared with great
care and after Attorney eneral5loody
had, upon a call from the President,
furnished an opinion to the effect that
the proceedings in the Venezuelan
courts involving the asphalt COM
panyfs properties were so irregular as
to- amount practically to a denial Of
justice Therefore Mr., Bowen was told
to renew his proposition for a free ar
bitration Of the issues between Vene-
.zuela and the United States at the first
opportune moment, and this. it ap-
pears, he has now done.
Besides the New York and Bermu-
DEE. asphalt ease there are three other
matters which are suggested as proper
subjects, for arbitration, namely. the.
Critchfeld claim, also based on an as
phalt concession; the claim Of the ORR
noco Steam Navigation Company.
based on a violated franchise. and the
claim Of the newspaper correspondent
Jaurett for damages arising from: his.
summary expulsion from Venezuela?
The reported arrangement whereby
President Castro has agreed to- set
apart fifty per cent. Of all the Venezue-
lar. customs receipts outside the ports
of.La Guayra, and Porto Cabelo to sat
isfy British, and German bondholders
will, if consumtnated, it is feared,
make it impossible to secure a single
cent from Venezuela for the payment
of any just American claims, for there
will be no. surplus, the remaining fifty
per cent. of the revenues being. re-
quired for the support Of the Venezue-
Ian Government.
Mr.. Bowen's, arbitration proposition
Is not, it is, said here, dependent in any
way upon the future proceedings in
the VeneZuelan courts relative to- the
asphalt case, and it is believed that he
has moved quickly in order to ~forestall
a ratification. Of the foreign bond agree
mant and to- conserve the rights Of the
American claimants.
Reports have been arriving here for
some time that many Of the people. Of
Venezuela are penniless and in need Of
food. One foreign diplomat there re-
Gently reported that conditions were
indescribable;. and that the strict GEN.
sorship' on everything sent out prevent
ed the world from knowing the actual
condition of affairs. All foreigners
were closely watched.
No official information has reached
here regarding the seizure of the Ltal-
ian coal mines, nor has the French
Embassy; been advised further regard
ing the affairs Of the French Cable
Company.