Evening journal., 1896-01-03
HIGH COURT OF INQUIRY
Venezuelan Commissioners to
Begin Work at Once.
THE SO CALLED soHoMBURaK LINE

10 Il Proved Worthless ms n Basis For Any
Territorial Claim by omciaI Correspond
ence In issO--Action Of the New York
Chamber OF Commerce.
wAsn1NGToN. Jan. 9.-The personnel Of
tho Venezuelan commission is commend
oil by tho mcmbors Of tho house who take
particular interest in international mat.
tcrs regardless Of party affiliations The
gontlomon selected were considered en-
iiroly competent 10 conduct what tho pres
idont IN his message expressed a wish for
n-iudicial examination OF the evidence
rotating TO tho boundary It was also
pointed out that whiio several mombers
Of tho commission have participated in
politics nonu can be considered a strong
partisan nt this Time so that so far as our
domestic affairs aro concerned thoy would
not DO likely TO ont6r upon their work
with any pofty ends TO sorve.
in spelsing Of the Venezuelan ques-
tlon, an authority upon international
eTairs pointed ont that the present hostil-
itios IN tho rransvaal furnished a direct
ard most opportune parallel TO tho South
American dispute. The note Of the Cor
nan govornmout to Great Britain request
ING an explanation OF Jamoson'a oxpodi-
tion into tho Hooga' territory and protest.
Ing against 1t, he Thought would tend 60
foriiiy tho arguments OF the United States
IN Justification Of is action regarding the
Nonezuelan boundary. The conditions of
tho two oases are not unlike. Tho Trans
vanl Is nomlnally an independent repub
&c, and Germany does not claim to main
tain proteotorate over It any moro than
i. al
yet Germany assumes a right TO Interfere
10 check British aggrosslons. Nor can the
German government claim that its own
safety IS In rny way monaood by any stops
which tho Engiah might take against tho
Doors. 10 can only assert a right to inter
fcro on the ground that its interests arc
involved, which Is thought by many to be
tho only tsnablo ground upon which this
government can base its right to be con-
s'dored a party 20 the dispute between
Venezuela and British dependency.
Thoro is no doubt that proceedings in the
Transvaal win have an interest for this
government which they otherwise would
not because Of thoir possible application
60 the Venezuelan boundary correspond
onco.
Minister Andrndo Of Venezuela notified
his government by cable Of the appoint
mont of the Venezuelan commission. The
case OF Venezuela is ready to present at
any time, although the Venezuelan au-
thoritios will take no steps toward offer
Ing evidence until the rules governing tho
commission are announced. So far as Is
known Minister Andraco Will present the
Venezuelan case as no has a long ao-
quaintance with the subject, and Is
moreover q fluent advocate in English.
The British authorities will not formal
~ recognize the commission, but the Brit
ish sido Of the case will be secured by APP
plication Of ambassador Bayard TO the
London foreign Office
First Meeting TO Be Held Saturday.
Tho present expectation Is that tho first
meeting OF the Venezuelan boundary COM
mission will be held at the state depart
mont Saturday All tho members of tho
body with tho exception of Commissioners
White have signinod their ability to bo
horo by that time The latter will not
reach the city before Tuesday, and there
IS possibility that the first meeting may
bo deferred until that day, though this is
not likely. There are a number Of quos-
tions arising IN connection with the work
of tho body, such as tho selection Of quar-
tors, etc., besides other preliminary mat
tofs not affecting vitality the questions az
issue that can bo passed upon BY the ma
jority of tho commissioners.
Tho momhors have not yet received
their commissions, and hence it Is not
positively known who will bo the chair
man, although the presumption Is shat
Justice Brewer, having been tho first
named, will have that honor. Justice
Brewer has heretofore met his follow COM
misslonors, and he is anxious that the
work which tho commission was appoint =
cd TO perform be commenced at as early a
date as practicable
What needs TO DO determined first by
the commission, the Justice thinks, IS
distinct and definite understanding OF
just what facts arc desired, and the body
can then go ahead and perform its work
systematically. He roalizos what an effect
on the public mind the conclusions reach
cd by tho commissioners will have what
their significance will be and how they
must carry conviction. Tho investigation,
he says, must be a thorough one or none
40 all