New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-26
LONDON RUMORS UNFOUNDED
HOW THE VENEZUELAN DISPUTE REALLY
STANDS AT PRESENT.
NO PROPOSALS FOR A JOINT COMMISSION HAVE
BEEN MADE-No NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN
ENGLAND AND vENEZUELA-THIs
GOVERNMENTS ATTITUDE
UNCHANGED.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuNE.l

rBY TELEGRAPH THE TR1BUNE.]
Washington. April 25-1n view OF the many
misleading statements made recently In connec-
ton with the Venezuelan boundary dispute the
following may be accepted absolutely trust
worthy
l. There has n ever been a proposal made by this
Government to that of Great Britain having for
its object the creation OF Joint Commission TO
determine the true boundary line between Brit
ish Guiana and Venezuela.
2. No proposition OF this character has ever
emanated from the Foreign Office in London.
g. There has never been an intimaton on the
part OF the Government Of the United States 70
that of Venezuela that 1t had better abandon Its
attitude or, at any rate, abate somewhat Its de-
mands.
T. No attempt has been made by the British
Government to re-establish diplomatic relations
with Venezuela
s. There have been no negotiations Whatever
between Sir Julian Pauncefote. the British Am
bassador in Washington. and sehor Andrade. the
Venezuelan Minister here, touching the bound
ary dispute.
THE WORK OF THE COMMISSION.
The attitude Of the Government at this stage
ss the controversy is in all essentials the same
occupied by 1t last December, when 1t asked
Congress for the means to de.ray the expenses
OF the Commission Of which Justice Erewer, or
the Supreme Court, is the president. The report
OF this Commission is awaited with good deal
of interest, but no one. not even the Comfnis-
sioners themselves is in q position to know what
the nature OF that report will be. AS to the time
when the report will be presented to the Presi-
dent equal uncertainty prevails. for the simple
reason that the progress made by the Commits
sion so far has been very slow and has furnished
no indications as to the time when the work Is
likely to be finished.
Since December last only one incident may be
said to have occurred to affect the relations be-
tween the parties to the dispute. But even this
incident has only an indirect connection with the
boundary dispute. 1t grew out Of the arrest OF
a British police constable by the Venezuelan
authorities within the disputed territory. Upon
an invitation Of Sir Julian Pauncefote. Minister
Andrade called unofficiay at the British En-
hassv here The Government OF Great Britain
nresented a claim assessing the damages done
IN m. feelings Of the constable at fl,JOO, or
$500.
SENIOR ANDRADES OFFER.
Minister Andrade. after consultation with Sec
retary Olney. and solely to show the good Will
Of Venezuela and It's honest desire not TO en-
barrass the settlement OF the main controversy
bv a DISPUTE of secondary Importance. agreed
on the part OF his Government to pay the amount
provided that understanding should pe
formulated In writing In the presence OF the Sec
retary Of State 10 show that In paying the claim
the Venezuelan Government In no wise ad-
mitted the Justice OF the claim Itself, or waived
It's own claim OF sovereignty over the territory
upon which the arrest was made. 10 this
proposition SIR Julian replied that he mad no
authority to deal with the question IN that
light but that he would ask his Government Tor
Instructions Those instructions have not ar
rived yet When they are likely to arrive II
they ever do. is pure matter OF conjecture.
This in brief. IS the status OF the Venezuelan
controversy at the present moment. pisquiet-
ing rumors set anoat by way Of London are
absolutely without foundation.