Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-11-13
POINT TO SETTLE
In the Negotiations Relating to the
Venezuelan Case.
IT Is BUT A MATTER OF DETAIL,

And Does Not Affect the Merits of the Con.
troversy-selection of the -Four Remain
ing Arbitrator Still Open-More Facts
Regarding the Agreement - Brifishers
Getting at the "Nub" of the Result-In-
terview by Proxy with King Oscar.
Washington, Nov 13.-But one point
"a matter of detail, and not of merits
remains open between the United
States and Great Britain in the settle
ment of the Venezuela question: and
the cablegrams passing between Lon
don and Washington give every reason
to believe that this point, which has
delayed the formal affixing of sigma
lures to the arrangement of settle
ment, will be determined within a day
or two. 1t relates to the choice Of the
four judicial memebrs Of the court of
arbitration, two by this country and
two by Great Britain. 1t has been
found that it was no easy task to take
the lord chief justice, tine solicitor gen.
eral, or some other eminent British ju-
dicial functionary from his present i'm
portant duties and charge him with
other duties which may take months or
years in their execution. For that rea-
son ii has been considered wise to set
tie this matter at the outset. AS stated,
the point remaining to be settled re-
Iates wholly to the personnel Of the ar
bitrltion tribunal, and in any event
Will not affect the merits of the agree
ment already reached on the lines given
in full in the Associated Press dis
patches.
Ye Wiseacre Supplies Amusement.
The arrangement as to King Oscar II
of Sweden is not open, but is final as
far as Mr.. Olney and Sir Julian Paunce-
fote are concerned. The agreement on
the king as the chief arbitrator was
made under the same circumstances
and conditions that always attach to
the selection of ruler of a nation. At
times il has been the president of the
Swiss republic; at other times King
Humbert who has been named, but al
ways with the understanding diplomat
ic usage implies that the king could
name another nominal representative
to relieve himself of the more laborious
duties of the position. In the present
case King Oscar was the one upon
whom the two countries agreed. and
with the usual limitations suggested.
they will look to him. or such one as he
may designate. as his representative.
There is much amused comment among
those intimately familiar with the facts
at the efforts in some quarters to make
nice distinctions as to the terms Of
King Oscars service itself. when. in
fact. this branch of the subject was re-
moved from the field of discussion scme
days ago.
Explanation Of the Agreement.
Now that the facts of the agreement
are known fuller information is OBJ
ta:nable as to the form the compact has
taken. There are two distinct papers
in the transaction. The first. and by far
the most important one, is in the ma
ture of q solemn agreement betwenn
the United States and Great Britain on
the terms by which the boundary ques-
tion will be settled. and the form of the
court of arbitration. 1t is lacking in
the technical characteristics of a trea-
ty. and in form is a final agreement.
duly signed by the representatives of
the two governments. on the terms by
which they will settle the differences
arising out of their divergent views on
the disputed boundary question.
Then, because the subject matter Of the
boundary itself lies between Great Bri-
tain and Venezuela, a second paper is
| form of treaty. the contracting par
| ties being Great Britain and vene-
| zuela. This will explain some anbi-
| guilty of terms that has arisen as to
agreement and treaty. Literally. the
United States and Great Britain have
| made an agreement by which the terms
of an arbitration treaty between Great
| Britain and Venezuela are framed.
The Shadow of Venezuela Appears.
| Each instrument will relate to the
| other and be part of a common un-
| derstanding on the entire subject. In
| this way Venezuela retains her atti-
tude as contracting party to the final
treaty. but as the treaty is shaped by
| the agreement. the United States is the
| instrumentality by which the full re-
! suits are accomplished. and the United
| states names two of the judicial arbi-
| traitors.