Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-29
VENEZUELA SLOW IN ACCEPTING
THE AGREEMENT.
WANTS TO SEE THE TREATY.
PREFERS TO KNOW THE EXACT
TERMS OF SETTLEMENT.
Not willing to Trust to Subsequent
Negotiations With Great Britain
Secretary oIney and Sir
Julian PauncefOte Con-
fer on the Matter.

left the state department at L o CLOCK TO-
day and went direct to the British en-
bassy, where he held a long conference, by
appointment, with Sir Julian Pauncefote,
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.. Oh
ney's call followed the arrival of Minister
Andrade, of Venezuela, and Mr.. James j.
Storrow, counsel in the Venezuela case,
who reached Washington late last even
ing 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 it was the occasion for going
over several new phases of the Venezuelan
question which have developed with the re-
turn of officials from Caracas.
The officials themselves are extremely
reticent and will say only in general terms
that the prospect of an acceptance of the
settlement by Venezuela is good. 1t is
understood, however, that there are i'm
portant limitations to the acceptance
which appear to make the case less hope
full of an immediate and satisfactory con-
clusion than has been expected. The plan
of an extra session of the Venezuelan con-
gress has been practically abandoned.
When the settlement was made in Wash
ington two months ago, little doubt exist
ed that an extra session would be called
Immediately by President Crespo. Messrs.
Andrade and Storrow left for Caracas to
urge President Crespo and the government
authorizes to secure an Immediate accep-
tance On arriving at Caracas, Mr.. And
rade cabled Secretary Olney 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. Since then, however,
no call for an extra session has been is
sued 1t has developed also that a strong
sentiment existed against an extra session,
coming only a short time before the reg
| ular session of February %. AS thirty
days must elapse after the notice of an ex-
| ira session, the congress could not posi-
| bly, convene before February /, or there
| abouts. Under these circumstances, it is
| practically settled that there will be no
extra session, but the regular session will
be advanced twenty days, under custom
prevailing in Venezuela. The congress
meets Two months, dCCOTulHS u the
| law, but usually it has been extended
| twenty days beyond the two months. 1t is
| felt this extension might be added to the
| beginning of the session. For this reason,
| the present outlook is the Venezuelan au-
| thorities will convene congress on Febru-
| ary J. or twenty days ahead of the usual
time. This will give regular session with
! out the extra expense and confusion of an
extraordinary session.
There appears also to be much question
as to the nature of Venezuela's accept
| ance. President Crespo and the government
| authorities have expressed satisfaction
with the general results of the settlement
! so far as they secured arbitration, yet they
| have not yet expressed official approval
| of all the details of the settlement. On the
contrary there seems very earnest de-
| sire at Caracas for more exact information
| on the terms of the treaty between Ven-
ezuela and Great Britain. When the set
| tlement was made in Washington, rough
draft of the general features of the set
| tiement was made. This contemplated dhe
| subsequent negotiation of an arbitration
| treaty between Great Britain and Vehe'
| zueIa on the general lines prescribed by
| the settlement. But the Venezuela author
| tiles prefer to see the treaty itself, instead
of an agreement for treaty, and the pres
| ent indications are that Venezuela will
| give no acceptance until the entire phrase
ology of the treaty, with all its terms anC
| qualifications, IS completed. This may take
considerable time. The general expectation
is that Venezuela would first accept the
| proposed method of settlement. Then dip
| lomatic relations between Great Britain
| and Venezuela would follow, as a matter
of course. When these relations were re-
| established, the British minister at Car
acas could readily take up the negotiation.
| of the proposed arbitration treaty. A
present, however, there is no disposition t.
await the gradual maturing OF this com
plete treaty, and it is little short of set
tied that the treaty will have to be forth
| coming and all the incidental negotiation:
closed before the desired Venezuelan rat
ification is secured.
In official and diplomatic circles ther,
continues to be satisfactory and hopeful
view taken of the situation. 1t is felt tina
all obstacles will be cleared away in time
and there is disposition TO minimize oh
stacles as being under the head of mino
I details.
At the same time, the practical abandon
ment of the extra session of the Venezuel;
congress and the disposition to close al
negotiations on the final treaties befor
an acceptance is given do not increas
the prospects of a speedy conclusion o
the case.
On the question of general arbitration
between the United States and Great Brit
ain. Mr.. Olney and Sir Julian have mad
their final draft of the treaty, and it i
in the hands of Lord Salisbury, awaiting
his approval. No doubt exists of it's ap
proval and 1t is expected to come daily
It had not arrived when Mr.. OIney con
ferrod with the ambassador to-day.
CUBAN MASS MEETING.