The morning times., 1896-01-21
REALIZES ITS POSITION
Venezuelan Commission Gives
the President a Hint.
CAN ONLY SEEK FOB FACTS
President brewer Reminds Him
That 1t Occupies Peculiar Posi-
tiOn and Asks for the Aid of the
Two Governments.

The members OF the Venezuelan commits
sion met yesterday at 1880 a. m, in their
handsomely appointed temporary quarters
In the building partly occupied by the Inter
| state Commerce Commission.
Justice Brewer presided The selection
of Mr.. S. Mallet Provost of New York as
the executive officer or the commission was
formally ratified. Mr.. Provost was not
present, but IT. 'v;as stated the would
take hold OF his dutles ON Wednesday next.
The commission gave out for publication
the following letter addressed to Secretary
oiney, last week. inviting information
| from the two governments chiefly inter
ested in the boundary controversy:
LETTER 70 oLNEY.
Office of the Venezuelan Boundary Com
Washington. Jan l 8, 1896.
To the Honorable Secretary of State:
Dear Sir:-1 have the honor to state that
| the commission appointed by the President
OF the United States, to Investigate and re-
port upon the true divisional line between
the Republic OF Venezuela and ETitish
Guiana has organized by the election OF the
Hon. David j. Brewer as its president. and
Is entering upon the immediate discharge
of its duties.
In so doing, 1t has. after careful con-
sideratlon, concluded to address you on the
question or securing, so far as possible,
the friendly cooperation and aid of the Two
nations which are directly Interested III
the now pending boundary differences.
1t must have suggested itself TO you,
as it no doubt has to the President, that
this commission thus authorized TO ascer-
tain and report the boundary line between
two foreign nations, bears only remote
resemblance to those tribunals OF an in
ternationai character, of which we have
had several examples in the past.
A POINT OF DIFFERENCE.
They were constituted by or with the
consent of the disputants themselves, and
were authorized by the parties Immediately
concerned to pronounce final Judgment.
The questions at issue were presented by the
advocates of the various interests, upon
whose diligence and skin the tribunal might
safely rely for all the data and the arguments
essential TO the formation of an intelligent
Judgment.
Their functions were, therefore, con-
fined to the exercise OF judicial powers, and
they might fairly expect to reach result
satisfactory TO their own consciences,
while 1t commanded the respect of those
whose interests were directly involved.
The present commission, neither by the
mode of its appointment nor by the nature
or Its duties, may be said to belong to
tribunals of this character. Its duty will
be discharged If IL shall diligently and fairly
seek TO inform the executive of certain facts
touching large extent OF territory, in
which the United States have no direct in
terests. Whatever may be the conclusion
reached, no territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT nor
material gain in any form can accrue to the
United States.
OUR SOLE CONCERN.
The sole concern of uur government IS
the peaceful solution Of controversy
between two friendly powers; for the Just
and honorable settlement OF the title to
disputed territory. and the protection of the
United States against any fresh acquisi-
lions in our hemisphere ON the part of any
European State.
1t has seemed proper to the commits
sion, under these circumstances, to suggest
to you the expedieDcy of calling the atten-
ton of the governments OF Great Britain
and Venezuela TO the appointment OF the
commission and explaining both its nature
and object. 1t may be that they win
see a way, entirely consistent with their
own sense of International propriety, TO
give the commission the aid that is is
no doubt IN their power TO furnisfI In the
way or documentary proof, ~ orical mar
ratiye. unpublished archives. or the like.
1t is scarcely necessary to say that if
either should deem IL appropriate to desig-
nate an agent or attorney, whose duty il
would be to see that no such proofs
were omitted, or overlooked, the COM
mission would be grateful for Such evidence
OF good WILL and for the valuable results
which would be likely to follow therefrom.
SOME GOOD ADVICE.
Any act of either government in the
direction here suggested might be ac-
conpanied by an express reservation as TO
her claims, and should not be deemed to be
an abandonment, or impairment, OF any
position heretofore expressed. In other
words, and in lawyers phrases, zach might
be willing TO act the part OF AN amicus
curae. and to throw light upon difficult
and complex question of fact, which should
be examined as carefully as the magnitude
OF the subject demands.
The purpose of the pending investiga-
tion are certainly hostile to none, nor can
IL he of advantage TO any that the ma
chinery devised by the government of the
United States to secure the desired in
formation should fail OF its purpose.
To this communication Secretary Olney
replied, stating that he had communicated
the suggestions OF the commission to Sir
Julian Pauncefote, the British ambassa-
dor. aud 10 Minister Andrade, the Venezu-
elan representative, for TRANSMISSION to
their respective governments.
The Commission then adjourned Til FRI
day next, it being the understanding that
Friday is 10 be the business day or the
commission. The only employees SO far de-
termincd upon are the secretary Tor execu-
tive officer, one stenographer, and door
keeper and messenger.
The commission, finding that in New
England and elsewhere there are Colieo-
tions of ancient maps, desire it 10 be un-
derstood that any documents of this kind
intrusted to them for their information
will be carefully preserved and returned
TO the owners.