Grant County Herald

ROOSEVELT AS UMPIRE

London, Berlin and Washington Very Busy Over the Imbroglio in Venezuela.

WHAT THE ALLIES ARE WANTING

Is to Get Your Uncle Samuel into the Position of Guarantor.

London Expects Roosevelt to Accept the Position of Arbitrator of the Difficulty—Hans and John Bull Agreed.

Berlin, Dec. 23.—The notes of Germany and Great Britain formally inviting President Roosevelt to act as arbitrator in the Venezuelan dispute have been handed to the United States ambassador here and to the United States charge in London.

Caracas, Dec. 22.—In the name of Venezuela President Castro has signified acceptance of the appointment of President Roosevelt to arbitrate the Venezuelan difficulty.

Berlin, Dec. 22.—It has been learned here that the governments of Germany and Great Britain have adopted detailed answers to the proposal to arbitrate the Venezuelan issues. These communications were handed to Ambassador CHARLEMAGNE TOWER here and to Charge d'Affaires White in London today. The correspondent of the Associated Press has learned further that the German answer agrees in all substantial effects with the British answer, and makes no separate reservations in behalf of the German case.

Indications of Acceptance.

London, Dec. 22.—It is believed that President Roosevelt's answer to the proposal made by the allied powers that he arbitrate the Venezuelan issues has been received in London. The strictest secrecy with regard to every phase of the negotiations is preserved, however, and it is impossible to make a definite statement, but such indications as are obtainable point to President Roosevelt's acceptance of the office of arbitrator.

Would Surprise the Foreign Office.

It must be said that the acceptance of the office of arbitrator by President Roosevelt would greatly surprise the foreign office, which always has been doubtful of the issue of the arbitration negotiations, on account of the belief that President Roosevelt, or the United States, was not willing to undertake the responsibility thereby involved. The reason that Great Britain and Germany proposed (in reply to the United States government's proposal that the trouble be arbitrated) that President Roosevelt be arbitrator, is that with him as arbitrator the question of guarantees would disappear. They do not believe Castro would be bound by a decision of The Hague tribunal.

Blockade Is Proclaimed.

The latest step in the prosecution of the "war" against Venezuela was taken Saturday when Great Britain and Germany proclaimed the blockade of the principal ports of the country. The announcement caused a commercial panic at Caracas. The rate of exchange jumped five points. A number of vessels has already been seized trying to get in or out of port. The British cruiser Indefatigable made the first prize under the blockade, capturing the Venezuelan schooner Julia, which was going to Higuerote, a seaport in the province of Miranda. The Julia's cargo, by the irony of fate, belongs to the German firm of Blohm.

FROM THE BLOCKADE LINE

Minister Haggard's View of the Cause—Our Flag at Trinidad.

Port of Spain, Trinidad, Dec. 22.—The blockade of Venezuelan ports was begun with an effective force at midnight Saturday. The British have the cruisers Indefatigable, Alert and Tribune, the special service steamer Columbine and the torpedo boat destroyer Rocket along the coast. The cruiser Ariadne, the flagship of Vice Admiral Douglas, is here and will remain here. All the British operations will be directed from Trinidad.

It is reported here that Haggard, British minister to Venezuela, has said that Great Britain acted only after great provocation, and that the whole world must approve of what she did. The climax to Anglo-Venezuelan relations was reached when a Venezuelan gunboat captured a British merchantman on the high seas, stripped her of cargo and valuables, and landed it at Margarita island. Then Great Britain determined to act.

The United States battleships Kearsarge and Alabama arrived here yesterday afternoon. They provoked considerable comment on shore, but when Admiral Higginson called upon the acting governor of Trinidad and the commander of the British ships he took occasion to explain that the visit to this port of the American men-of-war was part of the usual winter trip of the squadron. As the United States vessels entered the harbor the Charlotte saluted Admiral Higginson's flag, a courtesy which was also extended by the British ships. The salutes were returned.

The crew of the British steamer Topaze, which was captured by a Venezuelan mob at Puerto Cabello, were dragged ashore at midnight, half clothed, prodded with bayonets by Venezuelan soldiers, roughly handled by the mob and imprisoned in one filthy room.