NEWS OF THE • WEEK.
IT is with a sense of relief that we are able to record that on Saturday last the Government announced that the Venezuelan Protocol had been agreed on, and that the blockade had been raised. Content that this has been accomplished, and that we are at last free from the German Alliance, we shall say nothing further as to the details of the negotiations, except
to express the opinion that Sir Michael Herbert, our Ambas- sador at Washington, as far as can be judged from the information published, has played his part with tact and discretion. And it was no easy part, as will be apparent to any one who considers the nature of the position he occupied. The Protocol provides for the im- mediate payment of about £5,500 in satisfaction of British claims in respect of plundered vessels and the ill-tre,atment of British subjects, and the submitting of all other British claims (other than bondholders' claims) to a mixed Commission of one British and one Venezuelan member, with a reference to an umpire to be appointed if necessary by Mr. Roosevelt. Thirty per cent. of the Customs revenues are allocated to the payment of such claims and similar claims by other Govern- ments. We may add that the Venezuelan Blue-book issued on Monday contains despatches which extend over a period Beginning in March, 1901, and ending on February 13th, 1903. But it throws very little new light on the co- operation of Britain and Germany.
