Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 February 1903 — POWERS AT A CRISIS. [ARTICLE]

POWERS AT A CRISIS.

UNITED STATES AND FRANCE OPPOSE THE ALLIES. Serious Hitch in Venezuelan Trouble Causes Alarm England, Germany and Italy Reject Bowen's Final Proposal—Castro Fears a World War. Emphatic rejection by the allies of Venezuela's last proposal was received by Minister Bowen Saturday. At the same time Mr. Bowen was notified that France would insist on having equal treatment with the powers joining in the blockade in the settlement of claims. The situation is, therefore, critical rnd it involves the United States, for the American is one of the eight creditor nations of Venezuela which the allies refuse to recognize as having a right to immediate settlement of their claims through the negotiations of Mr. Bow it in behalf of Venezuela. Germany, Great Britain and Italy demand preferential treatment in payment of claims. Mr. Bowen thus far has declined to aceord it, and in this attitude _has the backing not alone of Venezuela, which he represent*) but of the Ufthed States, France and six other creditor nations. In this stiuation France and tho United States are as strongly allied, though informally, as Germany, Britain and Italy. The six other nations, two of which are Belgium nnd Spain, nre also firm in their agreement with the American view. The allies’ answers to Minister Bowen’s last proposal were received in Washington Friday. They were to the effact that the allies could not consent that the United States and the other claimant nations receive tiie same treatment as the blockading powers, and that they, therefore, rejected in toto Mr. Bowen's final proposition. Knowing the consequences that were to follow the presentation of these answers the representatives of the allies took upon themselves the responsibility Of withholding the notes of their governments and of again cabling, urging a retraction of their preferential demands. Meanwhile Mr. Bowen is biding his time. He is keeping Caracas informed as to the progress of events and is counseling patience, hoping that the powe’s will yet yield. As a matter of fact, he has as yet received no intimation from the powers that they are really desirous of settling the Venezuelan dispute at Washington since the representations of the powers have thus far consisted of counter propositions. Fears a World War. A Caracas correspondent quotes President Cjistro as saying in the course of an interview: "I cannot grasp the news from Washington. I fear that the Venezuelan conflict will be made a pretext for a world war. I have answered, however, the demand for preferential treatment as follows: The Venezuelan government de•ires equal treatment for every creditor nation, at the same time keeping in mind and respecting its previous diplomatic agreements and obligations. "Ab far as I can see, the French claim is absolutely perfect, yet the blockading powers seem to desire to invalidate it. This is a stronge procedure indeed when you recall that the French, Belgian mid Spanish claims already have that solemn sanction which the blockading powers pretend to be desirous their own should receive. "Yet I am hopeful—yes, always hopeful. Mr. Bowen has cabled me to be prudent and patient. I shall be both, and we will exhaust all peaceful means, with tho understanding that when that has been done we will not give in but will fight. We have concluded that if there is no honor among nations nor virtue in international agreements we must defend ourselves.” The French legation has notified the Venezuelan government that in virtue of the convention of 18*57 France was allowed to collect directly a part of the revenues of several custom houses in Venezuela as a guaranty for her dipl >- matic claims arising out of the previous revolutions. France, it is said, renounced forever by the convention of 1885 the exercise of this right on condition that the interest on this debt should always be regularly paid. As this payment has not been made, France, without asking the authorization of Germany, England and Italy, intends to revive her right of direct collection.