The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-01-02
VENEZUELAN QUESTION.


No Communication from England Pcr-
konnsl OF he Commission -spain's Attl-
tad.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. Jan. 1.-No
communication or suggestion OF any
kind regarding the Venezuelan dispute
has come to the United States from
Great Britain since Lord SalisbaTy's
answer to Secretary Olncy. and The
question stands entirely on the corrpS-
pondcnce up to that time and the sub
sequent action Of Congress- This dis.
poses OF several reports including one
that Queen VictoriH has addressed, q
personal communication, similar In
tone 10 the ono sent by the Prince OF
Wales expressing the hope that the
two EnglIsh-spcakng people would
have no serious differences. Such d.
rect communication would be accord
ing to the usage observed between the
heads Of nations, but in this case, her
majesty has given no expression on the
subject. II Is known, however. that
President Crespo has sent direct mes
sage to the executive branch OF the
United States,
Among officials ana the representa-
tlyes OF the foreign powers interested.
Il Is said that no steps have been taken
for the present beyond the formation OF
the Venezuelan commission. In urof-
Hcial quarters the names OF MesSrB.
Phelps, Lincoln and Brewer are most
heard in connection with the commits
sion. The expectation IS TINT the COM
mission will convene very soon after
the names are announced, select their
secretaries, translntorS, Interpreters.
and executive officers and determine
upon their course OF procedure. There
IL SiOO 900 available for expenses under
the act creating the body. A good part
OF this viii be expended IN the salaries
OF the commissioners, which Will be
commensurate with their station and
the Importance OF the work involved.
except in the case Of an official like jus
tlCc Brewer, already holding govern
ment position,
The policy which the commission will
adopt is being awaited with much In
tercst By those most concerned. The
act makes the commission Independent
OF the state department and all cXeCu-
tive control. 80 that It will be for the
body itself to decide on the method Of
procedure, and whether It will go
abrond to search foreign archives.
Doubtless in such a matter the wishes
OF the President and secretary OF state
would have much weight. yet the com
mission Is m independent. Guasi-}u
cinl body which is responsible for Its
own actions. Some OF the international
authorities say that even the evidence
TO be offered by the state department
will have the same weight and treat
mcnt, and no more, as the evidence
coming from other sources. aS 1t u
pointed out that the commission Will
not PREJUDICE the case by assuming the
correctness OF the attitude of the state
department.
on the part OF Great Britain there Is a
growing impression in official circles
that Indirect participation in the work
OF the commission will be secured. The
British attitude Of late has been favora-
bic 10 an investigation by the United
States OF the basis Of the British claims,
for 1t Is felt that the inquiry had been
ex paEte up to the time Of the action by
Congress-. There was good reason TO
believe when the commission was first
proposed that Great Britain would not
recognize Il and might take onense Mt
its crention. But the names OF the men
mentioned as likely to constitute 1t has
changed this feeling, until the present
Indication Is that the British VIII not be
averse to establishing before such n
body the rights which Lord Salisbury
stated to be incontestible. This may
not be done by direct appearance be-
fore the commission, but by the sub
mission OF the British case in response
to the wishes OF the commission convey
ed through Secretary 0lRey. BY such
procedure the British foreign office
would be giving no recognition to the
Jurisdiction OF the commission, ana yet
would secure hearing OF It's case.
on the part Of Spain 1t Is known that
no objection Will be raised to the fullest
examination OF the Spanish archives
Mr.. Ofuey has not yet requested that
such mn examination be allowed, but he
is assured OF favorable answer In case
a request is submitted.