The record-union., 1896-01-21

retary olney Inviting Cooperation
From the Two Governments Chiefly
Interested in the Boundary Contro-
/ versy Given Out for Publication.
| WASHINGTON, Jan. 2O.-The mem
berS of the Venezuelan Commission
met to-day at 11:30 o'clock in their
handsomely appointed temporary
lquarters in the building partly occu-
pied by the Interstate Commerce Com
mission. Justice Brewer presided. The
selection of S. Mallett Provost of New
York as the executive officer of the COM
mission was formally ratified. Mr..
Provost was not present, but it was
stated that he would take hold of his
duties on Wednesday next.
The commission gave out for pubn-
cation the following letter addressed
to Secretary Olney last week inviting
Ico-operation from the two Govern
ments chiefly interested in the boundary
| controversy:
Washington I'd. CO., Jan. 15, '96.
"The Hon. Secretary of State-Dear
Sir: have the honor to state that the
4
dent of the United States to investi-
gate and report upon the true divis-
ional line between the Republic of Ven
ezuela and British Guiana has organ
| lied by the election of the Hon. David
j. Brewer as it's President, and is en-
tering upon the immediate discharge of
| its duties. In so doing, it has, after
careful consideration, concluded to ad-
dress you on the question of securing,
so far as possible, the friendly coop
Grafton and aid of the two nations
which are direcly interested in the now
pending boundary dispute.
TT must have suggested itself to you.
1 as it no doubt has to the President,
that this commission thus authorized
to ascertain and report the boundary
line between two foreign nations bears
only a remote resemblance to these
tribunals of an international character
of which we have had several examples
/ in the past. They were constituted by
or with the consent of the disputants
themselves, and were authorized by the
parties Immediately concerned to pro-
nounce final judgment. The questions
at issue were presented by the advo-
Gates of the various interests upon
| whose diligence and skill the tribunal
might safely rely for all the data and
the arguments essential to the forma-
ton of an intelligent judgment. Their
functions were, therefore, confined to
the exercise of judicial powers, and they
might fairly expect to reach a result
satisfactory to their own consciences,
| while it commanded the respect of
those whose interests were directly in
volved.
'"The present commission, neither by
the mode of it's appointment nor by the
nature of it's duties. may be said to be-
long to the tribunals of this character.
| It's duty will be discharged if it shall
diligently and fairly seek to inform the
Executive of certain facts touching
large extent of territory in which the
United States have no direct interest.
| Whatever may be the conclusion
reached, no territorial aggrandizement,
nor material gain in any form, can ac-
crue to the United States. The sole
| concern of our Government is the
peaceful solution of controversy be-
tween two friendly Powers, for the
| just and honorable settlement Of the
title to disputed territory and the pro-
lection of the United States against
any fresh acquisitions in our herni-
sphere on the part of any European
/ State.
'It has seemed proper to the COM
mission, under these circumstances,
to suggest to you the expediency of
/ calling the attention of the Govern
ments of Great Britain and Venezuela
to the appointment of the commission,
and explaining both its nature and OBJ
jcct. It may be that they will see
way, entirely consistent with their own
sense of international propriety, to
give the commission the aid that it is
no doubt in their power to furnish in
the way of documentary proof, historical
narrative, unpublished archives or the
| like. 1t is scarcely necessary to say
that either should deem it appropriate
to designate an agent or attorney,
whose duty it would be to see that no
sGch proofs were omitted or overlooked.
The commission would be grateful for
such evidence of good will, and for
| the valuable results which would be
| likely to follow therefrom.
IAN act of either Government in
the direction here suggested might be
accomplished by an express reservation
as to her claims, and should not be
deemed to be an abandonment or inn
pairment of any position heretofore
expressed. In other words, and in law
yers' phrase, each might be willing to
act the part of an amicus curiae, and
To throw light upon difficult and
complex questions of fact which should
be examined as carefully as the magni-
| tude of the subject demands.
"The purposes of the pending in
vestigation are certainly hostile to
none, nor can it be of advantage TO
any that the machinery devised by the
| Government of the United States TO
secure the desired information should
fail of its purpose.
DAVID j. BREWER, President"
To this communication Secretary Oh
ney replied, stating that he had COM
municated the suggestions Of the COM
mission to Sir Julian Pauncefote, the
British ambassador, and to Minister
Andrade, the Venezuelan representa-
| tive, for transmission to their respect
i've Governments.
The commission then adjourned till
Friday next, it being the understanding
that Friday is TO be the business day
Of the commission. The only employee
so far determined upon are the Secre-
tary Tor executive officer), one stene-
grapher and a docrkeeper and nes-
senger.
The commission finding that in SRw
England and elsewhere there are coi-
IectioHs Of ancient maps, desire It 20 h
understood that any documents Of tniss
kind intrusted to them for their infer-
,v.o4iry, win tn oa rpF411Txy v,raearved aseG