Ignores The Agreement

Ignores the Agreement

Washington, Feb. 12. - Germany has ignored her previous agreement made with Mr. Bowen by Count A. Von Quadt-Wymradt-Isner, her charge affaires, and has insisted on a cash payment of $340,000, or a lien on the receipts of one of the Venezuelan ports, until this amount is paid. This information was communicated to Mr. Bowen last night by Baron Spec von Sternberg, the German minister.

Mr. Bowen immediately informed the German minister that he refused to yield the receipts of any port prior to the Hague's decision, saying that would be preferential treatment. As to the cash payment of $340,000 demanded, Mr. Bowen left that matter to the German minister to determine, saying to him that if Germany can afford to make a public confession, and does not stand  by agreements signed by its duly accredited diplomats, he (Mr. Bowen) is willing that they shall receive, on the day the protocol is signed, the total amount asked in the original ultimatum. The response has been cabled to the German foreign office.

Great Britain and Italy have renounced any responsibility for the action of Germany and expressed their regret. Through their representatives here they have informed Mr. Bowen that they will stand by all the agreements they have made with him and will not be influenced by the action of Germany. Both the British and Italian protocols provide for a cash payment of $5,500 and for the submission of the question of preferential treatment to The Hague. They contain recommendations for the renewal of all previous treaties of amity and commerce, and the Italian convention has an article providing for the payment of the Italian claims, which already have been adjudicated without further arbitration, after her commission has arbitrated the other claims.

With the exception of the demand for an increased cash payment, the protocol of Germany in all essential respects will conform to that of Great Britain, but will be somewhat more concise. All three protocols, it is understood, will provide for the immediate return of all vessels seized by the blockading ships. It is stated that the action of Germany in asking for $340,00, instead of contenting herself with $5,500, is due to a misunderstanding of certain steps in the negotiations which had been passed on by Count Quadt before the arrival of Baron von Sternberg. Mr. Bowen holds that Germany is bound by the act of its representative.