The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-12-31
VENEZUELAN CONFERENCE.
Secretary Olney and Ambassador Paunce-
fote Whispered Together Yesterday.

Washington, Dec 2S.-Secretary Olney
left the state department at II O'Clock to-
day and went direct to the British EN-
bassy. where he held long conference by
appointment with Sir Julian Pauncefote,
the British ambassador, relative to the
status of the Venezuelan settlement and
the general treaty of arbitration between
the United States and Great Britain. Mr..
Oney's call followed the arrival of Min
lister Andradc of Venezuela and Mr. JAS
]. Storrow, counsel in the Venezuela case,
who reached Washington late last even
ing. The results of the conference We're
guarded with the usual secrecy, which
prevails at meetings between the secretary
and the ambassador. but there is good
reason to believe it was the occasion for
going over several phases of the Venezu-
elan question which have developed with
the return of the officials from Caracas.
The plan of an extra session of the
Venezuelan congress has been practically
abandoned. When the settlement was
made in Washington two months ago lit
tie doubt existed that an extra session
would be called Immediately by Presi-
dent Crespo and the government authori-
ties to secure an immediate acceptance.
On arrival at Caracas Mr.. Andrade
cabled Secretary Olney that President
| Crespo would call an extra session. This
was received with satisfaction at the state
| department as an evidence that Nenezu-
Ella would act promptly. Since then, how
ever. no call for an extra session has been
issued. 1t has developed also that a
strong sentiment existed against an eX'
| ira session coming short time before
the regular session of May 20. AS thirty
days must clapse after the notice of al
| extra session the congress could not pos
sibly convene before February 1. Under
| these circumstances it is practically set
tied that there will be no extra session
but that the regular session will be ad
vanced twenty days under n custom
prevalent in Venezuela. The congress
meets for two months, according to the
| law, but usually it has been extended
twenty days beyond the two months. II
is felt that this extension might be added
to the beginning of the session with the
same propriety as at the end of the SEES
sion. The present outlook is that the
| Venezuelan authorities will convene con
gress on May 1, or twenty days ahead OF
the usual time. This will give a regular
session without the extra expense anC
confusion of an extraordinary session.
There appears also to be much question
| as to the nature of Nenezuclan's accept
ance President Crespo and the govern
ment authorities have expressed salts
faction with the general result of the mat
ter, so far as to arbitration, but they hav,
not made official approval of all detail,
of the settlement. On the contrary there
| seems to be very earnest desire a
Caracas for more exact information OF
the terms of the treaty between Nenezu
ella and Great Britain. When the settle
ment was made in Washington rough
draft of the general features of the settle
ment was made. This contemplated tn,
subsequent negotiation of an arbitration
treaty between Great Britain and Vene
! zuela on the general lines prescribed b,