St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-02
HOW BRITAIN STANDS.
Membership of tho Commission
Likely to Meet Her Approynl

WASHINGTON, Jan. mo COM
munlcation or suggestion of any kind
regarding the Venezuelan dispute has
come to the United States from Great
Britain since Lord Salisbury's answer
to Secretary Olney, and the question
stands entirely on the correspondence
up to that time and the subsequent ac-
ton of congress. This disposes of sew
eral reports, including one that Queen
Victoria has addressed personal
communication, similar to the one sent
by the Prince of Wales, expressing the
nope that the two Notwithstanding
people would have no serious differ
ences. Such a direct communication
would be according to the usage OBJ
served between the heads of nations.
but in the present case her majesty
mas given no expression on the subject
1t is known, however, that President
Crespo has sent direct message to
the executive branch of the United
states. Among officials and represen-
tatives of the foreign powers interest
ed II is SAID that no steps are contem-
plated for the present beyond the for
nation Of the Venezuelan commission.
The expectation is that the COM
mission will convene very soon, select
their secretaries, translators, inter
prefers and executive officers, and de-
termine upon their course Of proce-
dure. There is 100000 available for
the expense under the act creating
that body. A good part Of this will
be expended in the salaries of the com
mlssioners, which will be commensu-
rate with their station and the impor-
lance of the work involved, except in
the case Of an official like Justice
Brewer, already holding a government
position.
The policy which the commission will
adopt is being awaited with much in
terest by those most concerned. The
act makes the commission independent
of the state department and all exec
utive control, so that it will be for
the body itself to decide on the method
OF procedure, and whether it will GO
abroad to search foreign archives
Doubtless in such matter the wishes
OF the president and secretary of state
would have much weight, yet the com
mission is an independent quasi-iudi-
clal body, which is responsible for it's
own actions. Some Of the information
al authorities say that even the evi-
dence to be offered by the state de-
partment will have the same weight
and treatment, and no more, as it is
pointed out that the commission will
not prejudice the case by assuming the
correctness of the attitude of the state
department.
On the part Of Great Britain there
is a growing impression in official
quarters that indirect participation in
the work of the commission will be Sc
cured. The British attitude of late has
been favorable to an investigation by
the United States of the British claims
Tor 1t is felt that the inquiry had been
eX-parte to the time Of the action by
congress. There was good reason to
believe, when the commission was first
proposed, that Great Britain would not
recognize 1t, and might take offense
at it's creation. But the names of the
men mentioned as likely to constitute
it has changed this feeling, until the
present indication is that the British
will not be aVerSe to establishing be-
fore such a body the rights which
Lord Salisbury stated to be incontest-
able. This may not be done by di-
rect appearance before the commission
but by the submission of the British
case in response of the wishes of the
commission conveyed through Secre-
tary Olney. By such procedure the
British foreign office would be giving
no recognition to the jurisdiction of
the commission and yet would secure a
hearing of it's case.
On the part Of Spain it is known that
no objection will be raised to the fullest
examination be allowed, but he is as
sured Of a favorable answer in case a
request is submitted. In this connec-
ton 1t is said that the recent reports
from Europe Of an understanding be-
tween Great Britain, Spain and other
countries for joint action against the
Monroe doctrine Is not warranted. at
least so far as Spain is concerned. The
Spanish archives are a treasury Of in
formation, not only as to Venezuela.
but as to all the South and Central
American countries, most of them hav
ing been Spanish dependencies. AS a
result of this Spain is frequently asked
to arbitrate boundary disputes be-
tween these countries. At the present
time Spain has on hand one of these
arbitrations, involving the boundary
of Ecuador.