The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-12-29
THE VENEZUELAN TREATY.
Secretary Olney md Embassador
Pnuncefote Hold a. Conference.

WASHINGTON. Dec 2g-Secretary OIL
ney left the State Department at IL O'Clock
to-day and went direct to- the British en-
bassy. where he held long conference
by appointment. with Sir Julian Paunce-
fote the British ambassador relative To
the status of the Venezuela settlement and
the general treaty of arbitration between
the United States and Great Britain. Mr.
Olney's call followed the arrival OF Minis
ter Andrade, of Venezuela. and Mr.. James
j. Storrow. counsel for the Venezuelan
case. who reached Washington late last
evening. The results of the conference were
guarded with the usual secrecy which pre-
walls at meetings between the secretary
and the ambassador. but there is good rea-
son TO believe IL was the occasion for 60
ing over several new phases OF the ven-
ezuela question which have developed with
the return of the officials from Caracas.
The officials themselves are extremely ret
icent and will say only I'm general terms
that the prospect of an acceptance of the
settlement by Venezuela is good. Ii is un-
derstood. however that there are impor-
tant limitations 10 this acceptance. which
appear TO make the case less hopeful of an
immediate and satisfactory conclusion than
has been expected.
The plan OF an extra session OF the Ven-
ezuelan Congress has been practically
abandoned. " hen the settlement was made
i'm Washington two months ago little
doubt existed that an extra session would
be called Immediately 10y President Crespo.
Messrs. Andrade and Storrow left for
Caracas TO urge President Srespo and the
government authorities 10 secure am i'm
mediate acceptance. ON arriving at Caracas
Mr.. Andrade cabled Secretary Olney that
President Crespo would call an extra ses-
sion. This was received with satisfaction
at the State Department as an evidence
that Venezuela would act promptly Since
then, however. no call for extra session
has been issued. IL has developed also that
a strong sentiment existed against an extra
session. coming only "A short time before
the regular session Of Feb %. As thirty
days must elapse after the notice OF an
extra session the Congress could not pos
sibly convene before b eb. or therea bouts.
Under these circumstances II IL practically
settled that there will be no extra session
but that the regular session will be ad-
Vanced twenty DAYS under a stom pre-
vailing in Venezuela. The Congress meets
for two months. according 10 the law. but
usually II has been extended twenty days
beyond the two months. lt Is fels that this
extension might be added TO the beginning
OF the session with the same propriety as
TO the end OF the session. For this reason
the present outlook Is that the Venezuelan
authorities Will convene on Feb l.. or
twenty days ahead OF the usual time. This
will give a regular session without the ex-
ira expense and confusion oT an extraor-
dinary session.
There appears also TO be much question
as 10 the nature or Nenezuelas acceptance.
President Crespo and the government au-
thorities have expressed satisfaction with
the general results OF the settlement so far
as they secured arbitration. Yet they have
not vet expressed official approval OF all the
details OF the settlement. On the contrary,
there seems 10 be a very earnest desire of
Caracas for more exact information o. the
terms OF the treaty between Vensxuela anG