The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-12-29
VENEZUELAN TREATY.
Another Conference with AM
basgador Pauncefote.
WANT TO SEE THE TREATY ITSELF.
THE Venezuelan Government Not Inclined
1 to Agree to the Ratification of the Doc
Z ument Until 1t Has Beea Carefully Ex-
I amined.

The Venezuelan Government Not Inclined d
to Agree to the Ratification of the Doc.
ument Until 1t Has Been Carefully Ex.
amined.
y WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 9-sccretary Olney
yesterday visited the British embassy,
where he held Il long conference by appoint
tment with Sir Julian Pauncefotc, the Brit
Msh ambassador relative to the status of the
Venezuelan settlement and tho general
treaty of arbitration between the United
States and Great Britain. Mr.. Olney i
Hall followed the arrival of Minister An
Mrade, of Venezuela, and Mr.. James J.
lStorrow, counsel in the Venezuela case,
who reached Washington late Sunday
evening. The results of the conference
were guarded with the utmost secrecy
which prevails at meetings between tho
secretary and the ambassador, but there is
good reason to believe 1t was the occasion
nor going over several new phases of tho
Venezuela question which have developed
mith tho return Of the officials from
Caracas
1. The officials themselves are extremely
feticent and will say only in general tern5
that the prospect OF an acceptance of tho
settlement by Venezuela is good. 1t Is
understood, however, that there are i'm
Gortant limitations TO this acceptance,
which appear to make the case less hope
ful Of an immediate and satisfactory con-
PlVsIon than has been expected.
The plan of an extra session of the Ven
4suslan congress has been practically
abandoned. When the settlement was
40 n lb ty-n ll ~
little doubt existed that nn extra session
would DO Immediately called by President
Crespo. Messrs. Andrade and Storrow
left for Caracas to urge President Crcspo
and the government authorities to secure
an immediate acceptance. On arriving at
Caracas Mr.. Andrade cablcd Secretary
Elnsy that President Crespo would call
AN extra session. This was received with
satisfaction at the state department as an
evidence that Venezuela would act
promptly.
n Since then, however, no call for an OK ra
hession has beon issued. 1t has developed,
also, that strong sentiment existed
against an extra session, coming only
short time before the regular session OF
Feb. 90 A. thirty days must clnpse nfter
the notice Of an extra session the congress
could not possibly convene before Feb.
or rthereabouts Under these circumstances
1t Is practically settled that there will be
no extra session, but that the regular ses-
zion will be advanced twenty days, under
o custom prevailing in Venezuela The
congress meets for two months, according
to the law. hut usually it has been OK
tended twenty days beyond the two
months 1t is felt that this extension
might be added to the beginning of tho
session with the same propriety as to the
and of the session.
For this reason the political outlook Is
that the Venezuelan authorities will con-
sene congress on Feb l. or twenty days
ahead of the usual time This will give
regular session without the extra expense
and confusion Of an extraordinary session
There appears also to be much question
As to the nnture Of Venezuela $ accept
hnce President Crespo and tho govern
anent authorities hart expressed satisfac-
tisn with the, general results of the settle
ment SO far rs they secured arbitration,
get they have not yet expressed official APP
proval of all the details Of the settlement.
Dn tho contrary, there senms to be worry
enrnest desire at Caracas for more exact
Information on the terms of the treaty
between Venezuela and Great Britain.
When the settlement was made in
Washington II rough draft Of the general
features Of the settlement was made This
contemplated the subsequent negotiations
OF an arbitration treaty between Great
Britain aHd Venezuela, on the general
Lines prescribed by the settlement But
tho Venezuela authorities prefer to see
Chs treaty itself, instead Of an agreement
fCs Il treaty, and tho political indications
ars that Venezuela will give no accept
aEce until the entire phrnseology of tho
treaty, with MI its terms and qualilCa-
tipns, is completed. This may take con-
siderable tlme,
The general expectation was that Vcne-
Krela would first accept the proposed
method of settlement. Then diplomatic
relations between Great Britain and Ven
sruela would followa as a matter of course
When these relations were re-cstablished
the British minister at Caracas could
readily tnko up the negotiations Of the
proposed arbitration treaty. At present,
however, there is no disposition to await
the gradual maturing of this complete
treaty, and it is little short Of settled that
the treaty will have to be forthcoming,
and all the incidental negotiations closed
before the desired Venezuelan ratification
Is secured
On the question of general arbitration
btween the United States and Great
Bsitain Mr. Olney and Sir Julian have
mndo their fna draft of tho treaty, and it
is in the hands of Lord Salisbury await
ing his approval. No doubt exists of it's
approval and it is expected to come daily.