Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-17
Stories Afoat as to Probable Action
of This Government.
TO RECOGNIZE CUBA'S INDEPENDENCE
The Boundary Question to Be Set
tied by Arbitration.
FFIC1ALS RETIC E n T

All sorts of stories are afoat in regard
to the Cuban question. but owing to the
attitude of supreme silence assumed by
officials at the White House and at the
State Department 1t is impossible at pres
ent to ascertain exactly how much or how
little foundation they have.
One story is to the effect that if Spain
does not end the troubles in Cuba within
three months President Cleveland will vir-
tually recognize the Independence of the
Cuban insurgents. 1t is also stated on al
legged authority that the President has no
expectation of Spanish success on the
island, and that he has decided upon Wig
orous plan of action having in view the
recognition of the Cubans as belligerents
as preliminary step toward the recog-
milton of their independence of Span
ish rule. The story goes that an Official
declaration on this line may be confidently
looked for early in January.
Secretary Olney was asked about the
story today, and gave his usual diplomatic
reply that he "haG nothing to say on the
subject One of his intimates, however,
volunteered the information that there
was nothing in It," There has certainly
been nothing in the recent conduct of the
administration toward the Cuban situation
that justities the belief that an entirely
new policy has been suddenly determined
Upon
The Venezuelan Matter.
The Venezuelan matter is of more inter-
est in official circles just now than is the
Cuban situation, and promises more speedy
development. The article in The Star yes
terday described the situation as IL is un-
derstood here. The belief of the State De-
partment is that arbitration will be agreed
to by Great Britain.
1t is believed that Sir Julian Pauncefo;e
the British ambassador, who is expected to
arrive in this city early next week, Is au-
thOriZed to conclude a treaty of arbitra-
tion on the basis insisted upon by Secretary
Olney, with certain slight and immaterial
amendments, and that the matter will be
closed III time for the President to make
official announcement of the satisfact Dry
conclusion of the negotiations in his regu-
lar annual message to Congress.
Details Not known.
The details of Ambassador Pauncefote's
instructions WILL of course, not be known
until after his arrival here, but the State
Department has information of the general
nature Of the new propositions to be sub
mitted by the British government, and it
is stated that the President and Secretary
Olney think. from the information they
have, that there will be no difficulty in ad-
justing the differences which exist between
the two countries.
The recent visit to this country of Mr..
Joseph Chamberlain. the British colonial
secretary, is accepted as having had an
important bearing upon the alleged salts
factory understanding between Great
Britain and this government as to the best
plan of solving the troublesome boundary
controversy. 1t is understood that he and
Secretary Olney came to a tentative agree
ment on the subject, and that the proposed
plan of settlement has since received the
approval of Lord Salisbury. This approval
is said to have resulted from frequent con-
sultations between the British premier and
Mr.. Chamberlain, Sir Julian Pauncefote
and Ambassador 8ayard, the latter repre-
senting the State Department.
Lord Salisbury Acquiesces.
Lord Salisbury has evidently acquiesced
in the recommendations made by the CO.
lonial secretary since his return from the
United States, as the Information received
at the State Department within the last
few days is to the effect that the new
proposition to be made by Ambassador
Pauncefote upon his arrival will be in the
Ene of the conclusions reached between Mr.
Olney and Mr.. Chamberlain during their
informal conferences this summer
1t Is further stated that the ambassador
has instructions which will enable him to
not only settle up the coHtros ersy with the
United States, but, before the conyening
of Congress, to arrange for a esumption of
diplomatic relations between Great Britain
and Venezuela, which have been severed
for some years.