The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-03
AFTER FACTS.
venezuelan Commission viii Work on
Systematic Basis.
UNCLE SAM STANDS NEUTRAL.
The Commission VIII Be Abso-
lutely independent.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3-The present ex-
pectation Is that the first meeting OF the
Venezuelan boundary commission will be
held at the state department next Satur-
day. All the members of the body, with
the exception of Commissioners White,
have signified their ability TO DO here mt
that time. The latter will not reach the
city before Tuesday, and there is a possi-
bllity the first meeting may be deferred
until that day, though this Is not likely.
There are a number of questions arising
In connection with the work OF the body,
such as the selection OF quarters, ETC., be-
side other preliminary matters not affect
Ing vitality the questions at issue. that can
be passed upon by the majority Of the
commissioners.
The members have not yet received their
commissions, and hence it is not positively
known who will be the chairman, al
though the presumption is that Justice
Brewer, having been the first named, will
have that honor. Justice Brewer has
heretofore met his fellow-commissioners
and he is anxious that the work which the
commission was appointed to perform he
commenced at as early "a date as practica-
BILE.
What needs TO be determined first by the
commission, the justice thinks, Is dis
tinct and definite understanding of Just
what facts are desired, and the body can
then go ahead and perform its work
Systematically He realizes what an effect
on the public mind the conclusions reached
by the commissioners will have, what their
significance will be- and how they must
carry conviction. The investigation he
says, must be a thorough one or none ut
all.
Justice Brewer called on President
Cleveland yesterday and thanked him for
the honor conferred upon him. Mr..
Brewer also had a short talk with Secre-
tary Olney.
An Independent Body.
IL is authoritativcly stated on behalf OF
the administration that the Venezuelan
commission will i'e absolute master OF its
own procedure, fixing the time and place
of its meetings, and determining for itself
whether or not 1t shall visit foreign coun-
tries, what class of evidence may be taken
and how interested governments may be
represented before the tribunal.
This independence of action Is deemed
necessary to secure TO the commissions
findings that degree Of weight and respect
among other nations that can be attained
only through knowledge that the body
Ia free from any restraint or obligation 10
the United States government which has
created il. Our government will occupy
the status OF an exact neutral in the pro-
ceedings. The state department will lend
such assistance rs may be required 10
facilitate the work OF the commission in
procuring transportation for it on UrNsed
States warship, IL that is desired, and In
supplying any records in its possession
that may be called for.
But while il will not allow itself to be
placed in the position Of taking sides rs tc
the merits Of the controversy between
Great Britain and Venezuela, IL will not
undertake TO present the Venezuela case.
nor will it even endeavor 10 Offset any
evidence that leads toward the British
contention. Therefore the various sug-
gestions that have been made 10 the de-
partment by individuals in this country
as to where evidence can be secured have
been ignored. such matter is regarded as
proper for tho consideration OF the COM
mission, but Is not for the state depart
ment.
State Departments Consistent Action.
1t is pointed out that on this attitude
the department is exactly consistent with
its course i'm the past. From the begin
ming of the negotiations with Great Britain
touching the Venezuelan boundary, the
United States government has especially
rofrained from committing itself to re-
cognition OF the justice OF Venczuela's
claim, and has limited itself strictly TO
the contention that this was proper mat
ter for settlement by arbitration.
Moreover, the attitude which the de-
partment has assumed toward the CON-
mission itself is regarded as sufficient
negative To the assumption In Europe
that the United States government pur-
posed constituting itself the arbitrator in
this dispute, for the commission will be
as independent Of the United States gov
ernmcnt as 1t will be of any other govern
ment.
The personnel OF the commission is COM
mended by members Of the house who
take particular interest in International
matters, regardless of party utilization.
The gentlemen selected were considered
entirely competent to conduct what the
president In his message expressed wish
fora judicial cxain nation OF the evidence
relating TO the boundary.
IL was also pointed out that while sew
eral members of the commission have
participated in politics, they cannot he
considered strong partisans at this time;
so that so far rs our domestic affairs arc
concern I'd, they would not be likely TO
enter upon their work with any party
ends to serve.
Parallel Case.
In speaking of the Venezuelan question,
eli authority upon international affairs
pointed ont that the present hostilities
In the Transgaal furnished direct and
most opportuno parallel TO the South
American dispute.
The note of the German government TO
Great Britain requesting an explanation
III .Jameson's expedition into the Beers
territory, and protesting against IL, he
thought. would tend to fortify the argu
ments OF the United states In Justification
OF its action regarding the Venezuelan
boundary.
III, ,,,,Ifsi,ps Of bc two coa,o aro MOI