The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-12-22
LIVE CAPITOL TOPICS
Discussion of fhe appointment Of the Ven
ezuelan Boundary Line Commission.
CLEVELAND, ,OLNEY AND HERBERT CONFER

Plan of Relief for ibc Present Einnn-
ciaI Structure Discussed by ways
ANA Means sGommittcc--TcnpOr
Revision OF TuriT Lnws-Thc Prob
able PrOgrnm me.
Washington, Dec. 21.-Sccrctary Oh
ney and Secretary Herbert had N long
conference with President Cleveland
to-day about the present and probable
future aspects Of the Venezuelan situn-
ton. Mr. Olney and the President, II Is
understood, discussed the appointment
Of the Venezuelan commission autho-
rtzed by Congress, According To the
wording of the resolution authorizing
the commission. the commissioners are
directed to ascertain the true divisional
boundary between Venezuela and Brit
ish Guiana. This. of course, makes their
work so much more difficult and IN
creasus their responsibility. II was said
to-day that when the report Of the
Coiuinlsslon Is received the President
viii adopt one OF two courses JIe Will
either send the findings of the com
mission to Congress with IL request for
action, or else issue Il proclamation de-
claring the true boundary TO be that
iLecertained by the commissioners.
What would follow this latter action
can only be surInised, but ii is prGhabIc
that the President would use II as
the basis for another attempt to secure
Great Britain'S agreement to arbitra-
ton. before taking any radical step.
provided. of course, that the commits
sioners did not sustain the extreme
claims cf the British Government TO
the disputed territory.
Mr.. licrbcrt'S talk with the President
related. II is undcrStood To the pro-
projected visit of Rear Admiral Bunce's
squadiCn To the vicinity of the Ncnczu-
elan coast. 1t cannot be ascertained
whether any change was made in the
itinerary. Admiral Euncc will have an
Interview tomorrow with Secretary
Herbert on the subject.
The Representations made by Minister
Terrell, respecting the condition of
American interests In Turkey have re-
suited in the dispatch of general instruc-
tions TO Rear Admiral SclfridEe, Syria,
directing HIM to furnish all piIateetion
ana comfort to such of the missionaries
as might apply for that purpose. There
was nothing In the Instructions concern
ing general gathering OF the Ameri-
can missionaries nj AIcxandretta or
some other port where the United States
has warship.
The cruiser Minneapolis sailed to-
day from Gibraltar for Smyrna accord
Ing To Il cable message received at the
Navy Department from her command
cr. 1t is estimated that the cruiser will
=. T.
rival of the Minneapolis at Smyrna will
give the United States a representation
of three vessels In Turkish waters.
The President this afternoon approx
ed the bill appropriating Sl00 900 for the
expenses Of the commission 10 inquire
INTO the Venezuelan boundary matter
me executive approval was given TO
the measure as soon as the Official
copy reached the President
The coast defense ram Katahdin.
built by the bath Iron Works, of Bath
Me, has been rejected by President
Cleveland. This concludes executive ac-
ton in the matter. and the u1.a. of the
vessel Will be total loss 10 the CON
tractors unless II congressional enact
mcnt in the case can lie secured Gene
raj Hyde, president Of the Bath Iron
Works who was informed of the Pres
ldtntS decision to-day. has taken time
by the forelock. and a bin providing for
the purchase Of thc katahdin by the
Government has already been ntroduc.
ed at his instance by Senator Hale. OF
Maine.
Immediately after the House adjourn
cd calls were Issued f,r' the meeting of
several of the more important commit
tees in cider that the transaction of
licst nosshlc moment Mr.. Dneley had
the Ways ana Means Committee assem-
bic NJ once for organization. This was
effected, rcappointing the present clerks
who VIII hold over until January 1st
Then the committee adjourned 10 meet
Monday morning.
The committees on Appropriations and
on Banking and Currency will meet at
II a. IN. Monday.
MIR. Walker, chairman of the latter
committee. says he intends 10 push
the consideration and prepa OF q
bill to meet the suggest MS of the
Presidents financial message as rapid
ly as possible. Mr.. Hit says he will
call a meeting of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs early in the week
The constitution OF the State of Utah,
which was submitted to the Attorney
General hy the President. has been cX
amincd and approved by that officer
'Fhc President will on January ith
1886 issue his proclamation admittinc
the Territory Of Utah as 81 State of the
Union and the terms Of the State officers
will begin on the following Monday.
Januaiy 9Th.
In compliance with the request of the
delegation that presented the constitu,
ton to the President the Attorney.
General has advised the Chief Justice
OF the Territory OF Utah of the contem-
plated action of the President
Ratiiipn lions wcr,. EXCHANGED to-day