Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-29
SETTLED AT LAST.
Venezuelan Matter Closed So
Far as We Are Concerned.
The Chief Points in Matter of Agree
ments, Already Decided On.
And the United States Friendly Offices Are No
Longer Necessary.

Washington. Dec. 2S.-The interna-
tional incident of the Venezuelan
boundary dispute is considered closed
as far as the United States is con-
cerned and all further negotiations for
its adjudication lie wholly with the
parties to the controversy, Venezuela
and Great Britain. This explanation
comes from the state department.
where il is further stated that with the
acceptance by the Venezuelan executive
three weeks ago of heads for the pro-
posed treaty of arbitration signed by
Sir Julian Pauncefote and Mr.. Olney.
November r. the friendly Intervention
of the United States has been completed
and the only additional acts of the
United States in the matter will be the
publication of evidence and reports
collected by the Venezuelap high COM
mission and eventual reference to the
United States supreme court of the
concurrent request of two countries for
the appointment of two Jurists as
members of the tribunal as provided
by the treaty.
AS the Venezuelan congress which
must pass upon this treaty has been
called to meet in executive session
February l instead of waiting until the
constitutional meeting day. February
20, it is presumed that Mr.. Andrade
ard the British ambassador will COM
plete the details of convention direct
ly in order that it may reach Caracas
within a month.
Such negotiation is thought to be de-
void of any great Importance, as the
heads of the treaty have already been
disposed of and only certain well de-
fined formulas of introduction are
wanting.
Senior Andrade. the Venezuelan minis
ter. met Sir Julian Pauncefote at the
British embassy. this afternoon. and dis
cusSed the few remaining details relating
to the treaty. The Venezuelan govern
ment is very DESTROYS that IA citizen of
board of arbitration. and it is well known
that Senior Andrade cherishes the hope
that This may be done but his wishes are
not likely to be gratiiied. IL was the he
lief in Clrlcas that this consideration
would not he shown to Venezuela and
this formed the basis of some opposition
to les approval.
The treaty itself simply provides that
two justices of tho United States su-
premc court and two members of the
British supreme court shall select the
board. and that, in the event of their
failure to agree. King Oscar of Sweden,
shall nominate the fifth umpire.
The time and place of meeting is left II
blank in the treaty. to be agreed upon by
Sir Julian and Senior Andrade. 1t may
be stated that these meetings will not be
held either in Venezuela. the United
States or British territory. Neutral
ground satisfactory to both countries will
be selected. and it is not improbable for
a variety of reasons that Paris or Brus-
sells may be chosen.
It may be 10 or u days before the pro-
Iocol will be signed. The treaty provides
hat Sir Julian and Senior Andrade may
sign for their respective governments,
but Sir Julian cannot do this unless he
receives formal instructions from Great
Britain. and it is understood that they
have not been mailed Senior Andrade is
said to have brought this authority with
him to Washington, but he will defer
letting until Sir Julian can act co-jointiy
With him.