The midland journal., 1905-03-24
AMERICA MAKES DEMAND
Venezuela Mast Arbitrate the Asphalt
Dispute.
MINISTER BOWEN PRESENTS NOTE.
Unless Castro Agrees to Refer Asphalt
Controversy to the Hague Tribunal Other
Methods viii Be EmpIoyed-May Call
Extra Session Of congress-French Govern
ment Looking to United States.

Wi1lemstad (By Cable).-The Vene-
zuelan Government, tits announced from
Caracas, has received a note from the
American Minister, Mr.. Bowen, requir-
ing an answer as to whether Venezuela
will arbitrate the questions pending, and
SAYING that in case of refusal the
United States will feel free to take the
steps which may be necessary to secure
justice.
The Charge d'Affaires of the Neither
lands has advised the Venezuelan Gov
ernment that Holland will use coercive
measures in view of the fact that she
has been unable to secure the release
from imprisonment in Venezuela of five
Dutch sailors who have been illegally
kept in prison for seven months.
Washington, D. C. (SpeciaI In call
ing upon President Castro for an answer
TO his proposition to submit to arbi-
tration the issues between the United
States and Venezuela, Minister Bowen
is acting in accordance with specific in
structions from the State Department
which have recently been placed in his
hands.
Mr.. Bowen made proposition of this
kind to the Venezuelan Foreign Office
several months ago, and there was an
exchange of notes on the subject, 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.
The Venezuelan Government at that
stage had made counter. proposition to
Mr.. Bowen looking to the arbitration of
the dispute by The Hague tribunal, but
with the important qualification that the
tribunal should arbitrate as prelim-
mary the question as to whether or not
the United States Government had the
right under international law to inter
vene at all as between the Venezuelan
Government and American concession
aires for their protection.
This was construed here as an at
tempt to bring into play the old Calvo
doctrine, which the United States has
resolutely and repeatedly refused to ac-
cept in its negotiations with the South
ern republics.
Mr.. Bowen reported to the State De-
partment the fact Of President Castro's
departure, and asked for instructions.
These were prepared with great care,
and after Attorney General Moody had,
upon call from the President, furnished
an opinion to the effect that the pro-
ceedings in the Venezuelan courts in
volving the asphalt company's proper
ties were so irregular as to amount prac-
tically to denial of justice.
Therefore. Mr.. Bowen was told to re-
new his proposition for free arbitra-
ton of the issues between Venezuela
and the United States at the first oppor-
tune moment, and this, it appears, he
has now done.
Besides the New York and Bermudez
asphalt case, there are three other mat
tiers which are suggested as proper sub
jects for arbitration, namely, the Critch
field claim, also based on an asphalt con-
cession; the claim of the Orinoco Steam
Navigation Company, based on vio-
lated franchise, and the claim of the
newspaper correspondent Jaurett for
damages arising from his summary ex-
pulsion from Venezuela.
If President Castro rejects this last Of
fer of Mr. Brown to arbitrate these
cases, it is expected that he will prompt
ly report that fact to the State Depart
ment, and it will be determined what
course to pursue.
The Minister'S presentment of this
matter, therefore, is not an actual ulti-
matum, for the way is still open for
further negotiations if the Department
decides that the time has not yet ar
rived to withdraw its Minister and adopt
some coercive measures.
BURNED TO DEATH IN HOME.