The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-12-05
IT HAS SIGNIFICANCE
Y n zuslan Sentiment Will Be Known
Upon Senior Andrads's Arrival.
HIS RETURN A SURPRISE
So Far There Is No knowledge OF
How the ogreement IS Looked
Upon In the -outh Ameri-
can Republic.

Washington. Doc i-Minister An
dTude of Venezuela will sail from
LaGuayta On the 10th inst, arriving
at New York aOcut the 18th. and COM
ing direct 20 Washington 10 present in
person 10 SscrstlEy Olney the position
OF Venezuelan authority 50 far as de-
termined at present. on the British
Venezuelan settlement. James j.
StOrrow, who accompanied him, Is ex-
pocted to return AZ Ire same time.
They went 10 Caracas for the especial
purpose OF laying before Prssidsnt
CreSpo and his aSscc.ates A copy OF
the Olney- Salisbury agreement. Thelr
proposed early rs.urn Is a great sur.
prise.
That they have determined to return
at usAs early day without awaitIng the
ass SnhAng OF tie Venezueia congress.
Is considered Indicative that the meet
ing with President CreSpo has devel-
oped soIne definite Line Of action ON
n, Iirt of Venezuela. The only In
formation available at the state de-
plIiamsnt ~ a brief cablegram an
nOunoing the minister's early return.
This was sent frum Caracas on Thurs
day. From circumstances attending
thu mission OF Andrade and Storrow.
II IL felt that their return means one
Of two things, viz: a satisfactory un-
derSatanding. or else desire on tina
part of the Venezuela government 20
secure soma change In the terms Of
agreement- The complete silence Of
Venezuelan officials up to the present
time has been a matter of considerable
surprise ard conjecture among ofn-
OATS here. The newspapers OF Cara-
cas- and Maradabo. the principal cities.
have been received here. but TO u,eIi-
ton Is made OF tlhe public announce
mont of the terms of the agresment.
Apparently the only topic OF discus
sion In Venezuela at this time was the
election of a president 20 succeed Gen.
eral Crespo, who Is Ineligible under the
constitution for reelection. II had
been expected that speedy action would
be taken to have the Venezuelan con-
gress pass upon the agreement. Upon
this, however. complication has
arisen. The regular session opens Feb.
20. 80 a delay until then made II unlike-
ly that the entire question could ba
closed up before Secretary Olney's ad-
ministration Of the state department
closes. This led to the belief. among
officials, that President Crespo would
call a special session of congress-. but
this developed another complication.
The constitution Of Venezuela provides
that notice OF 20 days shall be given
as to any extra session. At best. there
fore. congress could not be got together
until about the middle OF January.
Thus far no word has been received
that an extra session will be called. In
any event. any action by the vene-
zuclan congress will have to be within
a few weeks OF Olney's retirement.
The distance between Washington
and Caracas and lack OF facilities for
ready communication impose further
restrictions on closing up the settle
mcnt. Aside from the action Of the
Venezuelan congress on the agree
ment. as a whole. II Is believed the re-
turn Of Senor Andrade will make clear
the position OF ali parties as TO the So
year clause. which Is the essential fea-
ture of the settlement. Schomburgk
began projecting his line In July. 1871.
so that II the territory within the line
Is To be treated as occupied" the oc-
cupany dates back So years and Is five
years more than the arbitration agree
ment requires In order to constitute
lawful possession. From the British
standpoint this 50-year clause II most
favorable to them and II has been fear
ed Venezuela would take exception TO
IL. as affordlng pretext for the ac-
ceptance OF the Sohomburgk line as
firal