Evening star., 1896-06-25
GREAT BRlTAIN'S REQUEST
Friendly Offices of This Government Asked
to Secure Harrison's Release.
Secretary Olney Had Interviews Both
With the Venezuelan Minister
and British Ambassador.

Secretary Olney received calls today from
Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British ambas-
sador, and Minister Andrade of Venezuela,
with both of whom he conferred, separ-
ately, concerning the arrest by Venezuelan
troops of the British crown surveyor, Mr..
Harrison, on the Guiana-V VeneZuelan bound
ary. 1t is understood that Sir Julian, act
ing under instructions from the British
foreign Office, requested the friendly in
tervention of the United States toward Sc
curing the release of Harrison, similar to
the Intervention of the British authorities
in behalf of John Hays Hammond during
the Transvaal uprising.
Mr.. Andrnde Called Early.
Mr.. Andrade was first at the department,
SO that at the time of his call the British
request rad not been submitted, and there
was nothing for Mr.. Olney to ask, if he
had been disposed to intervene. Mr. An
drade called very early, before the usual
hour for diplomatic visitors. He was with
Mr.. Olney some time, going over quite fully
the circumstances of the Harrison Incl
dent, which has lent a new interest to the
Venezuelan complication. The view of the
minister was that the affair had been
magnified, and that it was lacking in cir
cumstances of serious indignity or wrong
to the British. Both he and the Secretary
dispatches were at hand, either from the
United States minister at Caracas or from
the government to Mr.. Andrade. This alb
sence of official information was regarded
as showing that the Caracas authorities
do not attach that importance to the sub
1ect that 1t had assumed in London.
Sir Julian PauncefOte's Interview.
Sir Julians call was made an hour after
Mr.. Andrade had left. The exact nature of
the British request was not made public
but there is little doubt that it's essential
feature is request for friendly interven-
ton by the United States. Owing to the
British-Venezuelan trouble, the British
nave no minister or consulS in Venezuela
SO that 1t is necessary for an outside power
70 act !or that government in any transac-
tlon with Venezuela. Germany has here
tofore acted in this capacity for the Brit
Ism, but the interest and influence which
the United States has with Venezuela has
evidently inclined the British to seek the
good offices of this country rather than
those Of Germany.
What Has Been Done.
1t is believed that Secretary Olney has
already communicated with the Venezuelan
government through the medium of the
United States minister at Caracas. His
first step in the usual course would he ,o
seek to ascertain for himself, through our
minister, the exact facts in the case. but.
IN view OF the peculiar relations of the
parties. he might SO far depart from the
ordinary methods as to precede this. in the
present instance, with a request that Mr..
Harrison be released and the status quo
De thus restored to what it was before the
arrest, II being understood meantime that
there shall be no advance on either side
until the case can be settled soberly and
on IT'S merits. The interview between Sec
rttary Oiney and Sir Julian lasted half an
Iour, ana on neither side was there any
disposition to make public anything as to
its nature or result, but there is reason to
peneVe that solution Of the present diff
Guilty IS expected within two or three days.