Show venezuelan SITUATION REACHES CRITICAL STAGE herbert IV bowen rep in tho the negotiations 1 t washington for a sett settlement lament of the claims against that country has sent through the british ambassador at washington what amounts practically to 1611 ultimatum to the allied powers of great britain germany and italy regarding their insistence io to preferential treatment in cie settlement of their claims against Ven euela in the note received by the british BrItIs li ambassador from mr bowen the latter refuses point blank the proposition tor a 20 and rind 10 per cent division on an the ground that to recognize the principle it embodies it would be absolutely offensive to modern civilization in view of the fact that the negotiators are agreed on all save tho the question of fitial treatment the ambat ambassador esador Is informed that venezuela has decided to submit that question to tho the hague twloa tribunal the acceptance of this prop position ion venezuela contends carries v th it a raising 0 of f the blockade the fineral understanding being that the blockade would end whan tho the at Waa washington hington and nad reached an agreement agre emen in suggesting that the question of preferential payment be referred to thu the F hague ague it Is understood that mr nowen bowen aces so in view of the fact that the quest question lon Is the only one that remains in dispute the allies are advised that venezuela li is desirous that all negotiators shall stand by what had been already agre d 1 on |