Minister Bowen to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram.—Paraphrase.]

(Mr. Bowen reports that he presented to the minister of foreign affairs this day the protocol with a note in which he insisted on the immediate restoration to the asphalt company of its property. The minister said, “your government in its cable instructions to you accepted the offer of the Venezuelan Government to submit to arbitration all questions which, being of a diplomatic character, can not be settled by mutual consent, and I understood therefore that you would present a protocol general in character covering all pending questions.” Mr. Bowen adds that the minister promised to answer in writing. Mr. Bowen believes he will object to changing the agreement.)