The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1896-11-14

Washington. Nov. 12.-The king Of
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
ezuclan boundary question. The other
four arbitrators 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 contlO-
vcrsy. 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. negOtia tiOns
toward final settlement have been
proceeding. Most of the meetings were
of such an important character that
they were held either ut Mr.. Olney's
residence or ut the British embassy.
The two houses being hut two blocks
separated. 1t happened that the con-
clutling 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 annual event
ut which the premier usually takes W-
casiOn to review the status of the most
important international questions. For
his reason. it was desired, II possible.
to acluaint Lord Salisbury of the final
and satisfactory adjustment of the
lO 1,n
might make such announcement as lc
thought fit concerning it. When Sec
rrtary Olney and Sir Julian reached
sent to Lord Salisbury. notifying him
within one hour of the time when lie
went to the platform ut Guild hall. and
it was the basis for his announcement
to England and to the entire world
that the Venezuelan question was set
tied. II WAS IL general announcement
without detail, and without any ref
ercnce to the personnel of
The Court of Arbitration.
Thus Washington and London par
ticipatcd in this eventful scene by
which the two leading English-spcak-
ing nations reach an anlicable means
of adjusting the most troublesome in
tcrnatiolEll question of recent years.
Although Lord Salisbury's statement
WAS without details, it is possible to
give all of the essential features of the
treaty concluded in Washington last
night. 1t was deemed best to make
| the choice Of King Oscar III. as the
fifth or decisive arbitrator rather than
| to leave it to the selection of the four
other arbitratOrs.
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 b0un-
dairy is placed in the hands of the
court of arbitration. The treaty cov-
crS only Venezuela, and the question of
general arbitration between the Unit
cd States and Great Britain is left to
future negotiations. II 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 nonarcns
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 a man of great
attainmcnts and eminent fairness. The
feeling entertained for him is shown
by the fact that the Scandinavian res
ilcnts of the United Sta>"s are ut
present raising large sum with which
to buy him n present on the celebration
of his sixty-ffth birthday. He is known
as the "Giant King" as lie stands six
feet three inches in height. He has
long shown Il 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 a
warm personal friend Of the Prince of
Wales. The general feeling is that
King Oscar is prc-eminently qualified
for the responsibility involved in his
present choice by the United States
and Great Britain.