The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-07

This Will Cause Two Diplo-
matte Announcements in
Cleveland's Message.
Close of Celebrated Dispute Through
the Peaceful Channels of Inter-
national Arbitration.

WASHINGTON, d. c.. Dec. g. - The
probable assent OF Venezuela in the pro-
posed treaty of arbitration OF the British
Guiana boundary dispute negotiated
through the good offices OF the United
States and the practical conclusion OF
general arbitration convention between
Great Britain and the United Sta.es it is
stated, will form two of the most import
ant diplomatic announcements in the
Presidents message TO Congress.
What is understood 10 be in nearly all
essential particulars copy of the preIimi-
nary agreement entered into some weeks
ago between Secretary Olney and Sir
Julian Pauncefote in the Venezuelan mat
ter is made public. The draft of the pro-
posed treaty itself, which the Venezuelan
Minister, Mr.. Andrade, carried with him
to Caracas to lay before his Government, is
more elaborate than this agreement.
1t starts with preamble of considerable
length, and in that portion which refers to
the fifty year occupation of territory in
dispute embodies other points besides
mere occupancy and political control,
which will be taken into consideration by
the tribunal.
These are expressed in technical terms
international lawyers will understand,
but which would not be readily compre-
hended by others.
Advices received from Caracas do not
bear the impression that the Venezuelan
Cabinet is dissatisfied with the treaty, or
that Minister Andrade, who will shortly
return TO the United States, will bring
with him the draft of a new treaty as
modified by the Venezuelan authorities.
On the contrary, there are grounds for the
belief that President Crespo and his con-
stitutional advisers have given their full
| adhesion TO the proposed treaty.
Under ttese circumstances it will be
signed by Minister Andrade, representing
| the South American republic, and by Sir
| Julian Pauncefote, on the part of Great
Britain, after which the United States will
drop out of the matter, well satisfied to
have been the medium of bringing the
two countries together and of effecting a
settlement of their long dispute through
the peaceful channels of an international
board OF arbitration.
1t was only in this way, it is asserted on
high authority, that such a conclusion
could have been reached, as diplomatic
relations between Venezuela and Great
DT1ldlll HdNC lOAS DScH I6HOSQ, anu III
was we'll known that her Majesty's Gov
eminent would not consent that Ven.
ezuela should have any voice in the selec-
ton of the board.
While it is entirely true that the rati6-
cation of the treaty. must still depend
upon the will of the Venezuelan Congress,
no doubt is felt that the body will indorse
President Crespo's action.
In regard 10 a general treaty of arbitra-
ton between the United States and Great
Britain it is slated that the Presidents
! message will show that the negotiations
are practically concluded and that IL will
be the Presidents pleasure within a few
| weeks at the utmost to lay the treaty be-
| fore the Senate for its consideration. ltis
| substantially finished now, excepting
| few matters of detail that are still the sub
| ject of correspondence, but respecting
| which there will be little if any additional
delay.