Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-04
APPROACHING A SETTLEMENT
English and Venezuelan Ministers Enter
Into Negotiations,
CONDUCTED THROUGH AN INTERMEDIARY
Danger of n Conflict Over the Yuruan
Incident Avoided by Resort
to NcEotintion between
Ambassadors.

WASHINGTON, March at has beer
learned by the Associated press that the
British ambassador here. Sir Julian Paunce-
| fote, and the Venezuelan minister in this
| city. Senor Andrade have entered into direct
/ negotiations for a settlement of the Yuruan
! incident. which involved the arrest of a
| British police official In the territory In
! dispute between Venezuela and Great Britain
the hauling down of the British flag and a
subsequent demand for an indemnity upon
the part Of Great Britain.
| 1t is impossible to learn to what stage
this prospective settlement of the most i'm
portant incident arising out of the dispute
over the Venezuelan boundary has advanced
but there is good reason to believe that some
definite announcement concerning the matter
may be expected at an early date
AS to the manner of conducting the
negotiations little information can be gained
now, owing to the reticence of all parties
concerned but the essential point is that
Great Britain and Venezuela. whose rela-
tions have been strained SO badly that there
have been no diplomatic relations between
them for several years, are once more in a
| fair way to resumption Of direct communi-
cation with each other and that a step has
been taken which may pave the way to an
threatening boundary dispute.
When inquiry was made at the British
embassy Sir Julian Pauncefote said ii was
impossible to make statement on the sub
ject. Senor Andrade, the Venezuelan min
ister was equally reserved although his
secretary declared that the minister had had
no direct communication with the British
ambassador This would indicate that the
negotiations have proceeded through an in
termediary or by correspondence.
In this latter no ffai
which originally threatened to involve Great
Britain and Venezuela in serious trouble,
may prove to be blessing in disguise to
those who desire peaceful and early settle
ment of the difficulties between the two
countries. Once diplomatic relations (Which
have been suspended for about ten years.
are re-established it is felt that in the
present temper of both Great Britain and
Venezuela the way will be opened to direct
negotiations respecting the boundary ques-
tion and in this manner a settlement will be
effected without the intervention of any third
nation.
1t is understood that the original British
demand for indemnity for the Uruan affair
has been so modified as to eliminate II en-
tirey from the boundary question and thus
render the matter easier of adjustment. AS
it now stands the British contention is
simply that British officer was i'll treated
without reference to where the ill-treatment
occurred and on this a demand for in
demnity is based. In other words, the
British demand assumes that there is
right to exact indemnity even IL the British
official was in Venezuela at the time of his
arrest. Put thus, the case closely resembles
that of Corinto, where Great Britain exacted
indemnity from Nicaragua for the expulsion
of Consul Hatch. BY attacking the problem
in this fashion and again opening direct
negotiations the special tribunal created by
the United States to ascertain the location
of the boundary line may be rendered use
less, but If boundary agreement is reached
that is satisfactory to Great Britain and
Venezuela there can be no doubt that it
would be hailed with relief by this country
and would be welcomed by the admnistra-
tion, was made plain by the president in
his celebrated message.