The record-union., 1896-11-11
Probability That the Protocol Of a New
Treaty Will Soon be Signed,
Containing a Method for Arbitrating
the Question.
Letters Exchanged Between the
United States and Great Britain
Made Public by Secretary Oiney
Which Materially Helps in Clearing
Up the Situation.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10-Every in
dcation points to the probability that
within the next fifteen or twenty days
Sir Julian Pauncefote and Secretary
Clney, plenipotentiaries appointed for
that purpose by their respective Gov
ernments, may be able to sign here IN
Washington the protocol of proposed
treaty TO be subsequently submitted
to their respective Governments for ap-
ptovaI. which will include within its
provisions a method of arbitrating the
boundary line between Venezuela and
British Guiana.
The exact terms of this important
convention are not yet definitely settled
far less signed. On the contrary,
verbal changes are continually being
suggested and agreed upon or modified
by cable messages between the pleni-
potentiaries and the British Foreign
Office. But the essential basis of the
policy agreed upon is made clear in the
correspondence which Secretary Olney
this afternoon felt justified in making
public after Lord Salisbury's speech
last night in London.
The basis agreed on is that in the
question of settled districts a term of
fifty years undisputed residence shall
be considered as giving the right to pos
session. The acceptance of this con-
dition by Great Britain is regarded az
q distinct concession, inaSmuch as ii
brings under the award of the arbitra-
tion tribunal territory, which is to con-
sist of five distinguished persons, not
citizens of any American State, all the
districts which have been settled since
the celebrated Schombergk line was
drawn in 1860.
1t may take some days further to
arrange details as to time and place of
meeting OF the tribunal and as to the
selection of arbitrators, but there is
every reason to believe that the Presi-
deIft may be able to announce &c Con-
gress when it meets in December next
the signing of the preliminary Tro otocol
and to submit it 10 the Senate for rati-
ncation.
That this is a strong probability is
made clear by the announcement au-
thorized by the Venezuelan Commits
sion this afternoon that it will suspend
the preparation of its case for the pres
cnt, but will proceed with the compila
ton Of important data il has collected.
>
Oscar H., has been chosen by treaty be-
tween the United States and Great
Britain as the fifth arbitrator in the
Venezuelan boundary dispute. The
other four are TO be designated, two by
the Lord Chief Justice OF England and
two by the Chief Justice of tine United
States Supreme Court. This Is the
final and most important feature of the
treaty
As a King seldom leaves his country
except on state visits TO other sover-
eigns. it is not expected that King Oscar
viii go outside Of Sweden for the meet
ing Of the arbitrators, and the court is
likely TO sit at Stockholm, the capital OF
Sweden. where King Oscar II. and the
halls of the Swedish Reksdag are To-
Gated
OI.NFY's LAST LETTERS.
WASHINGTON, Nov 10-Two let
tiers which were exchanged between the
United States and Great Britain re-
garding Venezuela since the other cor
respondence was given to the press
help materially in clearing up the sit
uation
In a dispatch May 30. 1896. Lord Sal
isbury had proposed an evenly divided
commission TO report upon territory in
dispute outside the so-called settled
districts, and Secretary Olney had sug-
eested the provision quoted heretofore
in these dispatches for a commission of
unequal numbers.
The next dispatch was from Lord Sal
isbury to Sir Julian Pauncefote 1t
tears date of July 3D. and referring
10 Mr.. Olney's argument that "it ap-
pears TO be fundamental condition
that the boundary line. decided to be
the true one by the arbitrators, shall
not operate upon territory bona fide oc-
cupied by a British subject shall be
DETECTED in every case. So as to make
such territory part Of British Guiana. 8"
Lord Salisbury declares this was not
the intention of his proposals. which
we're that "the tribunal should not have
power to include such districts as the
territory Of Venezuela" but he did not
propose that they should necessarily be
assumed without further proof TO be
rart of British Guiana. Il only stiD-
ulated." writes Lord Salisbury, that
the ownership of them was not TO be
decided by the tribunal, which in our
Judgment was inadequate for this pur-
pose. though it was adequate for as
signment Of the unsettled districts.
The settled districts shown to be in dis
fute by the inquiries of the commits
SION We're TO be disposed Of by subse-
quent negotiation. The claim OF Ven
ezlfela is so far reaching that it brings
into 1t questions and rights which can
not properly be disposed of by an un-
restricted arbitration. 1t extends as
far as the Essequibo; it covers two
tfErds Of the colony of British Guiana;
IL fmpeaches titles which have been
unquestloned for many generations.
Continuing further, Lord Salisbury
wrote: The view of her majesty 5
Government is that where the matter
in issue is OF great Importance, and in
wolves rights which belong to con-
siderable population and are deeply
cherished by them, special precautions
against any miscarriage of justice are
required. of which l have indicated the
general character in this correspond
ence. but which are not required where
a title to unoccupied territory is alone
angissue- 1t is for this reason that her