Evening star., 1896-12-11
THE VENEZUELAN QUESTION
Concern in Official Circles Over the Re-
ported Opposition Against the Agreement.
The Last Mail Advfces Brought Favor
able Press Comments-Presen
Hostility a Surprise.

The unofficial reports from Venezuela
that serious opposition has sprung UP
against the boundary agreement between
Great Britain and the United States causes
much surprise and no little concern in Off
cial circles here. Minister Andrade and MIR.
j. j. Storrow, who accompanied him to
Venezuela, were to have sailed from La
Guayra yesterday on the Red ID steamer
Philadelphia, due at New York on the
10Th instant. Mr.. Andrade cabled the date
OF his proposed departure, and in another
telegram to Secretary Olney said that the
| Venezuelan government had accepted the
agreement and that President Crespo had
called an extra session of congress with a
view to prompt ratification of the treaty
Feeling Over the Delay.
For these and other reasons the renort
that Messrs Andrade and Storrow will not
return to this country at present on ac-
count of unexpected adverse Developments,
growing out of the alleged movement
against the proposed arbitration, is felt to
embarrass and possibly imperil the final
adjustment, which had been expected at an
early day.
Up to the present time President Crespo
has not called an extra session, and thirty
days must expire after the call before the
congress can meet. This fact has led to a
question whether Venezuela should bear
the heavy expense of an extra session con-
vening only one month before the regular
session, which begins February 20.
Some Press Comments.
The Venezuelan papers which reached
Washington in the last mail are being care
fully scanned, hut they are very guarded in
their statements on the subject, and appear
to be affected by some government censor
ship. The visit of Messrs. Andrade and
Storrow and their conferences with Presi-
dent Crespo are not mentioned. the only
reference to them being a eulogistic well
come to Mr.. Storrow.
La Lfbertad treats the proposed settle
ent as advantageous, and says IT not only
aids Venezuela, but establishes a great
precedent by which "the United States
Stands as a sentinel in front of the Amer
lean republics against European greed and
dominion. 1t says: THE agreement es-
tablishes an authorized precedent to suit
any other future conflict that may arise
between the American nations and Euro
pean countries.
AT the same time that we have gained
our point, our mediator has succeeded in
enforcing respect and recognition to the
great principle of American international
law, by which American continental policy
Will not be trod upon with impunity by
Europe From today the North American
people stand as a sentinel along the At
lantic, to compel acknowledgment of the
brothers against the ambition of Europe to
dominate"
The First Public Utterance.
This was the first public utterance at
Caracas, and with this sentiment prevail
ing in the Venezuelan capital, Mr.. Andrade
planned to return to Washington, after
notifying Secretary Olney of the accept
ance of the agreement. The adverse agfta-
ton now reported, as well as his alleged
determination to defer his return give an
aspect to the question which threatens
delay and ultimate adverse action by the
Venezuela congress.
In diplomatic circles it is believed that
Venezuela will eventually accept the agree
ment, because of the apparent affront to
the United States involved in a failure to
ratify it's action.