The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-12-09
II IS A COMPLETE SURPRISE.
ANDRADE COMES.
Venezuelan Minister to Arrive in Wash
ington Soon

Minister Andrade OF Venezuela will sail
from La Guayara, the seaport OF Caracas, on
| the 10th inst, arriving Mt New York about the
18th and coming direct TO Washington to
present In person to Mr.. Olney the position
OF the Venezuelan authorities so far rs deter
| mined at present on the British Venezuelan
| settlement. Mr. James J Storrow, who ac-
companied him, Is expected to return at the
| same time. They went to Caracas for the
sole purpose OF laying before President Cres-
po and his associates copy OF the Olney-
Salisbury agreement. Their early return IL
u great surprise. Since their departure lit
tie has come from Venezuela further than a
general statement that the outlook was
promising for the acceptance OF the agree
ment and treaty. Now that they have de-
termined TO return ut this early day without
the assembling of the Venezuelan congress,
II IL felt that their meeting with President
Crespo has developed some definite line Of
action on The part OF Venezuela.
So far as can be learned at the state depart
ment the nature OF the information which
Senior Andradc will bring has not been nm
ticipatod by adviccs to the department. The
only information available IL the briei cable
gram announcing mis- early return. This was
sent from Caracas on Thursday. From the
circumstances attending the mission of
Messrs. Andrade and Storrow, II Is felt that
their return means either one or two things,
viz: A satisfactory understanding or else u
desire on the par. OF the Venezuelan author
tiles to secure some change in the terms OF
the argument.
The complied silence OF the Venezuelan Of
iicinis up to the present time has been mat
ter of considerable surprise aud conjecture
among officials here. The newspapers of
Caracas and Maracaibo, the two principal
cities have been received here. but no mem
tion IL made of the arbitration agreement,
Though they date for about IA week after
agreement. Apparently the only topic OF
discussion In Venezuela at this time was the
election OF president to succeed Gen.
Crespo, who Is ineligible under the consti-
tuition for reelection.
II had been expected that speedy action
would be taken to have tho Venezuela CON
gress pass upon the agreement On this,
however, n complication has arisen. The
regular session opens February 20, SO that
n delay until then made IL unlikely that the
entire question could be closed up before
Secretary Olney's administration of the
state department closed. This led to the
belief among officials that President Crespo
, would call a special session of congress, but
this developed another complication. The
constitution OF Venezuela provides that a
notice OF thirty days shall be- given ~ to any
extra session. At best, therefore, congress
could not get together until about the mid
die OF January. Thus far no word has been
f, In any event any action b; tho Venezuela
congress will have to be within few weeks
Of Mr.. Olney's retirement. The distance be-
| tween Washington and Caracas, and the lack
| OF facilities for ready communication impose
further restrictions on closing up the settle
| ment.
Aside from the action OF the Venezuela
congress on the agreement az IA whole, II IL
| believed that the return OF Senior Andrade
will make clear the position of all parties as
| to the fifth-year clause. which IL the essential
feature Of the settlement. Schomburgk be-
gan projecting his line in July, 1s4i, so that
II the territory within this line Is TO be treated
rs Occupied" the occupancy dates back tlf-
ty-nve years, and is five years more than tho
arbitration agreement requires In order to
constitute lawful possession, From the Brit
ish standpoint, this flfty-ycar clause is most
favorable to them. and 1t has been feared
that Venezuela would take exception to II as
nifording pretext for the acceptance OF the
| SchOmhurgk line ms final.