The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-21
WITH COURTESY
England and Venezuela Are Asked to
Aid Boundary Commission.
PLANS ARE PLAINLY OUTLINED.
Inquiry Promises to Be Long
and Difficult Task.

commission has invited tho governments
|of Great Britain and OF Venezuela to sub
init to 1t all OF the evidence In their pos
session to further the work of the COM
mission, to DO represented before 1t by at
|sornoys, and all Of this with the reserva-
|tion that such represon ntGtion and appear
anoe shall not be deemed an abandon
ment OF any rights or position heretofore
assumed.
1t has done this in order that the pro-
Iceedings OF the commission may not be
said TO be ex parte, that the truth may APP
| pear and that time may be saved in the
inquiry with which the commission arc
|shargod. The invitation goes in the shape
|of n letter to Secretary Olney, who has
made response, saying that he has trans
|mitted n copy of the commissions views
DO the two governments concerned.
These facts came out after tho meet
ng of the commission yesterday, although
the letter was drawn up and sent TO the
secretary of state at its last meeting, Jan.
Il5 The full text Of the letter Is as fol-
bows:
OFFICE or THE VEsEzUrfAS BOUNDARY
COMMISSION.
WASHINGTON Jan. Is.
70 tale Honorable Secretary Of State:
DEAR sIR-I have the honor TO state that
|bhe commission appointed by the President Of
|the United States "to investigate and report
upon the true divisional line between the re-
bubble OF Venezuela and British Guiana" has
organized by the election of Hon David j.
Brewer as its president. and Is entering upon
ishe immediate discharge Of It's duties.
| In 40 doing, IL has. after careful consdcra-
| |tion, concluded TO address you ON the ques-
~ rip Pa M Ill ha fri "
I,o-operstion and aid OF the two nations which
are directly interested in the now pending
boundary differences
1t must have suggested itself to you. as IL no
| |ioubt has to the president, that this commits
don. thus authorized 10 ascertain and report
| ;be boundary line between two foreign ma
I lions, bears only a remote resemblance 10 those
tribunals of an International chefacter, OF
which we have had several examples in tho
past. They were constituted by and with the
.onsent OF the disputants themselves, aud were
authorized by the parties Immediately con.
,erncd to pronounce Anal judgment.
Tho questions AT issue were presented by tho
advocates OF the various interests, upon whose
| diligence and skill the tribunal might safely
ELY for all the data and the arguments essen
tai TO the formation OF an intelligent .udg-
nent. Their functions were therefore con-
ined To the exercise OF judicial powers, and
hey might fairy expect TO reach result sat
sfactory 10 their own conscience, while 1t
commanded the respect OF those whose inter
ssts were directly involved
| The present commission. neither by the
node of its appointment nor by the nature of
IA duties may be said to belong to tribunals
| ,f this character Its duty will be discharged
FIT shall diligently aud fairly seek TO inform
he executive of certain facts touching a large
extent Of territory in which the United States
,ave no direct interest Whatever may be
a
iizeinent nor material gain in any form osn
iccrue TO the United States.
The sole concern Of our government is the
peaceful solicitude OF o controversy between
,wo friendly powers; for the just and honor
sbie settlement of the title to disputed terri
tory, and the protection OF the United States
against any fresh acquisitions in our hemi.
.,phere on tie part OF any European stato
/ II has seemed proper TO the commission,
binder these circuni stanoes, TO suggest to you
[he expediency OF calling tho attention Of the
Iyovernment of Great Britain TO the appoint
nent of the commission and explaining both
=, aev,si oryvvv. -sa~y- DC tnas they
win see way, entirely consistent with their
'bvn sense OF international propriety. to give
.;he commission tho aid that 10 is no doubt in
heir power to furnish In the way OF docu-
nentary proof. historical narrative, unpub-
Iished archives or the like.
| 1t Is scarcely necessary to say that IL either
bhould deem it appropriate to designate an
3hgent or attorney, whose duty IL would be to
see that no suoh proofs were omitted, or over
cooked. the commission would be grateful for
such evidence of good viii, and for the valua
pie results which would be likely to follow
herefrom.
| ANY act Of either government in the dircc-
ion here suggested might be accompanied by
bn express reservation as TO her claims, and
3Bhould not be deemed to be an abandonment
pr impairment of any position heretofore ex-
pressed. In other words, and In lawyers
phrase, each might be willing to act the part
of an amcus curin, and to throw light upon
lifilcult and complex questions of fact, which
should BE- examined as carefully as the magui-
,ude Of the subject demands
The purposes of the pending investigation
are certainly hostile to none, nor can 10 be OF
advantage to any that the machinery devised
| by the government of the United States to Sc
,ure the desired Information should fail in its
purpose.
have the honor 10 remain,
Your most obedient servant.
DAVID J. BREWER. President.
Hoping For Favorable Reply.
The secrctory's reply was short and
Formal, merely an acknowledgment of
he receipt OF the letter and n statement
that he had caused copies Of IL 20 be sent
20 tnc Drltlsn anu venezuelan govern
|ments. 1t cannot be said that the com
mission arc confident Of q favorable re-
35ponso from both parties 60 the boundary
controversy, although the courteous terms
n which the suggestion is couched, and
he wido latitude OF reservation per-
nitted each party that may respond in
inc open spirit which characterzcs the in
Igitation, leads 70 the natural hope that it
/ will bc accepted
| Meanwhile tho commission will proceed
upon the original line OF inquiry, which
promises TO be n slow and difficult task,
Brushing to thc abrlhgcment OF the pro-
|Decdings later on By the production of evi-
lencc by both parties and the appearance
| u attorneys, when the proceedings may at
Dnco takc on the form OF a Judicial trial.
baud tho attainncnt of n conclusion be cor
|rcspondng'y lastoncd.
Yesterdays meeting took place for tho
Ifrst timo IN tho now quarters of the com.
omission In thc Baltimore Sun building on
|f street The first business was tho sc,cc-
|tiOn of officers. ard flc FIRST os these
|cho en- was =. Nalri-P Provost, who has
armed high rcpufalion at the Now York
lar and also In Washington. Mr.. Mnlet-
I. Al