NEWS OF THE WEEK.
WE have dealt at length elsewhere with the Venezuelan crisis, and with the possibilities of escape from the diffi- culties in which we find ourselves landed owing to the indiscre- tions of the Government. We have also felt bound to dwell on the aims and methods of Germany in entangling us in an alliance. As we go to press, however, we are glad to say that the prospects of a solution of the troublesome problems before the country seem a little brighter. The latest news, that is, points to President Castro being willing to agree to arbitra- tion. It is also admitted that communications are proceeding between the United States and ourselves and the Germans in regard to projects of arbitration. What is the nature of these communications has not been disclosed, except in the way of rumour, but it seems likely that the project under discussion is for a joint Commission, of which Mr, Bowen, the American Minister to Venezuela, is to be a member, and so a virtual arbitrator. That appears a sound proposal, for Mr. Bowen is evidently a man of quite exceptional character. The one thing in which all the disputants seem to agree is in praising Mr. Bowen for his helpfulness, conciliatory temperament, and good sense. Chance, in fact, seems for once to have put exactly the right man in the right place, and if things ulti- mately go right, it will doubtless be in no small measure due to the statesmanship of the American diplomat.
