Mr. Bowen to Mr. Hay.

[Telegram.—Paraphrase.]

(Mr. Bowen reports that a petition has been presented to the President of Venezuela by the leading men of Caracas advising that plenary powers be given to Mr. Bowen to settle the present conflict with Great Britain and Germany in the manner least prejudicial to Venezuela; that this news has probably been cabled to Germany and may prevent arbitration, which is a slower process of settlement, and that an early reply to the petition is expected from President Castro.)