The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-01-03
Venezuelan Commission Will Not
Be Hampered Even by
Suggestions.
So it Is Authoritatively Stated
on Behalf of the Ad-
miniStratiOn.
Something of the Men Who Com.
pose It, May or May Not
Go Abroad.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3.-Mr. Justice
Brewer, who heads the Venezuelan
commission, named by President Cleve.
land, was seen at his residence by
representative of the Associated Press.
The justice had not yet received official
notification Of his appointment and in
the absence of this he is loath to discuss
the commissions plan of procedure, as
everything will depend u. o the con-
ferences with his associate commission
ers. Justice Brewer doubtless will call
on the president and secretary of state,
and as soon thereafter as the commits
sions of the members are issued, steps
will be taken to assemble the commits
sion and begin work.
viii Probably Sit in Washington.
In response to inquiries, Mr.. Brewer
said that while he could not speak with
full information, yet he had no doubt
the sessions of the commissions would
be held in Washington. as it was the
most accessible point, and moreover,
much of the documentary evidence,
etc., " ulCIl Woulo lultiatS VIC III.
Nquiry, were to be found here. For the
present the justice will continue his
York on the supreme bench, as it is
felt that the preliminaries of organiza-
ton and the assembling of evidence
may continue through the present
month, leaving the more serious work
of examination by the commission to
begin about Feb. /, when the supreme
court takes month recess. This will
permit the justice to hear pending
cases and thereafter give his exclusive
time to the commission. If, however,
the commission labors begin earlier than
anticipated, Mr.. Brewer is ready at any
time to join his associates.
May May Not Go Abroad.
Justice Brewer, when asked if the
commission was likely to go abroad to
pursue its investigation, said it might
be that the state depart rtment had PEE
pared certain features of evidence re-
garded as essential, and which would
serve as a groundwork for the investi-
CATION In that event, doubtless these
would be gone over, and then the COM
mission would determine what further
steps were required to ascertain the
facts.
I 1t might be that Venezuela and Eng
land would be asked to present their
respective cases Certainly in Ques
ton of this character, there would be
the desire for the fullest information
from all available sources.
When this documentary evidence was
all in hand, the question might then
arise as to the desirability Of verifying
certain features of it by a personal in
spection of the originals of the docu.
ments in the archives of Spain, Holland
or other countries This would involve
trip abroad, and there was the posi-
bility that it might become desirable
personally to view the locality of con-
tention along the Guina-Nenezuela
line. Justice Brewer illustrated this by
referring to some of the boundary con-
tests over Mexican land grannts, a
number of which have been decided by
him, including the Maxwell land grant
case.
Absolutely No Interference.
1t is authorititatively stated on behalf
Of the administration that the NeneZue.
Ian commission will be absolute master
of it's own procedure, fixing the time
\ and place of its meetings and determin-
4 ing for itself whether or not it shall
visit foreign countries; what class of
Il evidence may be taken into considera-
ton, and how interested governments
may be represented before the tribunal.
This independence of action is deemed
necessary to secure to the commission 8
finding that degree Of weight and re-
pect among other nations that can be
kained only through q knowledge
xSE. the body is free from any restraint
or obligation to the United States gov
ernment which has created it. Our
I government will occupy the status of
exact neutrality in the proceedings. The
state department will lend such
assistance as may be required
to facilitate the work of
the commission in procuring trans
portation for it, on United States war
ship, if that is desired, and in supplying
any records in its possession that may
be called for. But it will not allow it.
self to be placed in the position of to-,
I ing sides as to the merits of the contro-
versy between Great Britain and Ven
ezuela; it will not undertake to present
L the Venezuelan case, nor will it even
endeavor to offset any evidence that
leans toward the British contention.
PERSONNEL OF THE COMMISSION
Ar. Cleveland Has Given Ont Names Of
Venezuelan Arbitrators.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3.-The full Vene-
Ixuelan commissian, as announced by
il r