The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-01-21
Mr.. BREWERS
The Venezuelan Commission Invites
Cooperation Of Governments.
SECRETARY OLNEY REPLIES
Great Britain and Venezuela Re-
quested to Submit Evidence In
Their Possession to Further
the Work of the Board.

Washington, Jan 20.-The venezue-
Ian commission has invited the govern
ments of Great Britain and Venezuela
to submit to 1t all OF the evidence in
their possession to further the work Of
the commission, 10 be represented be-
fore it by attorneys. and all OF this
with the reservation that such repre-
sentation and appearance shall not be
deemed an abandonment of any rights
! or position heretofore assumed. 1t has
done this In order that the proceedings
| of the commission may not be said TO
| be ex parte, that the truth may appear,
and that they may be saved in the in
| qulry with which the commission Is
charged. The invitation is in the shape
of a letter to Secretary Olney, who has
made response. saying that he has
transmitted a copy of the commissions $
| views to the two governments con-
cerned. These facts came out after
the meeting of the commission to-day.
although the letter was drawn up and
sent to the secretary of state at Its last
meeting. Jan. 10. The full text of the
| letter is as follows:
"Office of the Venezuelan Boundary
! Commission, Washington, Jan. 10, 1896.
y lut otNItNAAy Va 1AAANs
Dear Sir: have the honor to state
that the commission appointed by the
president of the United States to in
vestigate and report upon the true d.
visional line between the republic of
| Venezuela and British Guiana has or
ganized by the election of Hon. David
! j. Brewer as its president. and is enter
! ing upon the immediate discharge of its
! duties. In so doing 1t has. after care
/ ful consideration, concluded to address
! you In the question of securing, as far
as possible. the friendly cooperation
and aid of the two nations which are
directly interested in the now pending
boundary differences.
1T must have suggested itself TO
| you, as It has no doubt to the president,
that this commission, authorized to as
certain and report the boundary line
between two foreign nations. bears on
| ~ a remote resemblance to these trfbu-
nails of international character of
which we have had several examples in
the past. They are 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-
/
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 re-
| suit satisfactory to their own con-
| sciences, while n commanded the re-
spect of those whose interests were d.
rectly involved.
| "The present commission, neither by
mode of its appointment nor by the ma
| ture OF its duties. may be said to belong
| to tribunals of this character Its duty
viii be discharged II Il shall diligently
| and fairly seek to inform the executive
| office of certain facts touching a long
extent of territory, In which the Unss-
| ed States has no direct int erests. What
ever may be the conclusions reached.
no territorial aggrandizemen or ma
terial gain in any form can accrue to
| the United States. The sole concern OF
our government is the peaceful solution
of the controversy between friendly ma
tions: for the just and honorable set
tlement of the title TO disputed terri
| tory, and the protection OF the UnPbed
| States against any fresh acquisition in
1
ropean state.
1T has seemed proper 10 the COM
mittee. under these circumstances. to
suggest to you the expediency OF call
/ ing the attention of the governments
| of Great Britain and Venezuela TO the
| appointment OF the committee and ex-
| planning both its nature and object. II
may be that they will see a way entire
| ly consistent with their own sense OF
/ international propriety. to give the
/ committee the aid that II is no
/ doubt in their power to fur
/ rish in the way of docu-
mentary proof. historical narrative.
unpublished archives or the like IL Is
scarcely necessary to say that IL either
| should deem IL appropriate to deslg-
nate an agent or attorney. whose duty
/ II would be to see that no such proofs
were omitted. or overlooked. the com
/ mission would be grateful for such
/ evidence OF good will. and for the val
/ liable results which would be likely 10
I follow therefrOm.
I ANY act Of either government IN the
/ direction here suggested might be- ac-
7 companied by an express reservation
4 as to her claims. and should not be
deemed TO be the abandonment or i'm
pairment OF any position heretofore
expressed. In other words. and in the
/ lawyers phrase, each might Be willing
/ 10 act the part Of an amlcus curiae.
I and to throw light upon difficult and
/ complex questions of fact which
should be examined as carefully as the
/ magnitude OF the subject demands
/ The purposes OF the pending invest!-
cation are certainly hostile TO none
I nor can IL be OF advantage % any that
I the machinery devised by the govern
wcnt OF the United States 10 secure
/ the desired information should fail of
Y its purpose. ! have the honor 10 re-
main your obedient servant.