Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 January 1903 — BLOCKS PLAN TO ARBITRATE. [ARTICLE]

BLOCKS PLAN TO ARBITRATE.

Kaiser Wants 1,700,000 Bolivars Before Allowing Inquiry. Arbitration of Venezuela’s difficulties with the powers of Europe seems farther from achievement now than it has since the first proposal for such a settlement was made. Dispatches from Berlin and Caracas indicate that both President Castro and Germany have imposed almost insurmountable barriers in the way of arbitration. Germany, it is said, takes the position that Venezuela must pay the Kaiser's government 1,700.000 bolivars before it will consent to submit its other claims to The Hague Tribunal. President Castro conditions employment of arbitration on the return to Venezuela of the warships captured by the allies, a feat which is impossible, because the prizes were sunk in the deep Caribbean Sea. Whether these terms apply in ease President Roosevelt becomes arbitrator cannot be learned. The press of Berlin •ays that it is understood that President Roosevelt's undertaking to arbitrate involves an indirect guaranty for the payment of the sum to be awarded.