The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-11-17

Sweden and Norway. Oscar H., has
been chosen by treaty between the
United States and Great Britain as
the fifth official arbitrator of the Ven
eZuelan boundary question. The other
four arbitrator are to be designated,
two by the lord chief justice of Eng
land and two by the chief justice of
the United States. This is the final
and most important feature of the
treaty for the complete adjustment OF
the long pending Venezuela contro-
versy. The treaty was concluded in
Washington last night at the British
embassy, Sir Julian Pauncefote repre-
Senting her Britannia majesty, and
Secretary Olney the United States.
Since the return of Sir Julian from
London three weeks ago, negotiations
toward a final settlement have been
proceeding. Most of the meetings were
of such an important character that
they were held either at Mr.. Olney's
residence or at the British embassy,
the two houses being but two blocks
separated. 1t happened that the con-
Guiding meeting was at the embassy
yesterday, and special interest was
given to it from the fact that Lord
Salisbury, the British premier, was to
make a speech at Guild hall, London,
in the evening. 1t is the aIbual event
at which the premier usually takes oc-
casion to review the status Of the most
important international questions. For
this reason, it was desired, if possible,
to acquaint Lord Salisbury of the final
and satisfactory adjustment Of the
Venezuelan question in order that he
might make such announcement as he
thought fit concerning it. When Sec
rotary Olney and Sir Julian reached
their final conclusions a cablegram was
sent to Lord Salisbury notifying him
within one hour of the time when he
went to the platform at Guild hall, aud
it was the basis for his announcement
to England and to the entire world
that the Venezuelan question was set
tied 1t was general announcement
without detail, and without any ref
erence to the personnel of
The Court of Arbitration.
Thus Washington and London par
ticipated in this eventful scene by
which the two leading English-speak-
ing nations reach an amicable means
of adjusting the most troublesome in
ternational question of recent years.
Although Lord Salisbury's statement
was without details, it is possible to
give all l. the essential features of the
treaty concluded in Washington last
night. 1t was deemed best to make
the choice of King Oscar II. as the
fifth or decisive arbitrator rather than
to leave it to the selection of the four
other arbitrator.
The only essential features of the
treaty is that fifty years actual pos
session is to constitute title. With this
limitation as to the settled districts
the entire sweep of the Venezuela bOun-
Diary is placed in the hands of the
court Of arbitration The treaty COW
ers only Venezuela, and the question Of
general arbitration between the Unit
ed States and Great Britain is left to
future negotiations. 1t is not expected
that King Oscar will go outside of
Sweden for the meeting of the arbi-
traitors, and the court, therefore, is
likely to sit at Stockholm, the capital
of that country Among the monarclS
of Europe, King Oscar II. is probably
the most popular, as he goes freely
among the people, and is thoroughly
democratic in his ways, besides being
universally regarded as man of great
attachments and eminent fairness. The
feeling entertained for him is shown
by the fact that the Scandinavian res
idents of the United STATES are at
present raising large sum with which
to buy him present on the celebration
of his sixty-ffth birthday. He is known
as the "Giant King" as he stands six
feet three inches in height. He has
long shown most cordial sentiment
toward the United States, and this,
doubtless, had part in his selection.
While most cordial toward the United
States. King Oscar is not the less
friendly to Great Britain. Although
there are no ties of immediate kinship
with the British royal family, he is
warm personal friend of the Prince Of
Wales. The general feeling is that
King Oscar is prominently qualified
for the responsibility involved in his
present choice by the United States
and Great Britain.