VENEZUELA AND THE POWERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 34, 9 February 1903, Page 4

VENEZUELA AND THE POWERS.

The practical difficulties that have arisen between the Powers over arbitration in the Venezuela case seem to be settled, and the Hague tribunal will shortly receive a formal statement of the conflicting claims. The negotiations throughout have been of a very complicated nature. The United States Government has naturally enough been watching the operations of the Allies with ill-concealed suspicion, and the appeal to President Roosevelt to arbitrate was at first welcomed as a happy solution of a dangerous problem. But public feeling' in America is e-tremely jealous of international diplomacy; and the President's Cabinet expressed itself strongly against his personal interference in the quarrel. The President, therefore, replied that while honoured by the request of the Powers he would prefer that the case should go before the Hague tribunal. The Powers would have preferred the intervention of the President as Venezuela has manifestly been depending all along upon the ultimate assistance of the United States, and America could more easily enforce obedience than the Hague tribunal. However, the President's recommendation was greeted with hearty approval, more particularly in France, wdiere the sentiment in favour of arbitration seems constantly growing in strength. Mr Bo wen, the American Minister at Caracas, has represented Venezuela in the preliminary negotiations, aud has succeeded in his difficult task of maintaining the dignity of America without alienating the European Towers.

From the first, there has been no particular reason why Venezuela should not submit the matter to arbitration. The joint ultimatum presented by England and Germany suggested this course, but demanded in the first place that Venezuela should admit the justice of the claims. This, as the New York "Tribune" says, was certainly rather too much like demanding- that a man should plead guilty before his trial. Moreover, Germany further requested tftsl;, as a preliminary to all negotiations, Venezuela should pay about 340,000 dollars, apparently to satisfy wounded Teutonic honour. ' To these" requests President Castro demurred; hence the action of the Allies. When the negotiations through Mr Bowen commenced it was found that 30 per cent of the Customs would settle the claims of the Powers in six years, and this offer was accepted. But France has already n lien on 13 per cent, of the Customs, and the Allies, moreover, suggested that they shonld be authorised to "hold 20 per cent, of the Customs on behalf of the other claimant Powers. To this course Mr Bowen strongly objected, and as his proposal that all tlie claims should be treated on an equality was rejected by the Powers, the whole question of preferential treatment will be submitted to the Hague tribunal.

So far, so good: but the most important results of the Venezuelan crisis have still to manifest, themselves. We have already noticed the intense anxiety and irritation roused in England by the Anglo-Cermnn coalition. All who desire that America and England should draw closer together, hoped that the unfortunate step taken hy the Imperial Government would not be misconstrued in,the United States. At first this hope was justified, for the leading American journals, while protesting vigorously against Germany's attitude and hergj^violently aggressive methods, carefully dissociated England from her ally in their criticisms. Xow, however, the necessary consequences of the alliance are beginning to develop. Baron Sternberg, by his effusive compliments ar.d loudly expressed reverence for Monroism seems to have conciliated the American patriotic party: and complaints . are heard that the difficulties over the negotiations are due to England. At the same lime the interference of the Kaiser in American affairs lias been denounced by Bebel and the Socialist party: and the German "reptile" press is substituting President ■Roosevelt for Air Clmmborlair. as the object of its attentions. The hint that the Anglo-German fleet could possibly be employed against America is quite as offensive to England and the colonies as it is to our friends in the United States, but the fact that the suggestion could be made is a proof and a measure of the risk that England runs through this most unjustifiable and ill-omened alliance with Germany.