The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-05
CRESPO MAY REBEL.
Unexpected Turn ef Affairs in the
boundary Dispute.

WASHINGTON, Dec Administer
Andrade, of Venezuela, will sail from
La Guayra, the seaport of Caracas, on
the 10th instant, arriving at New York
about the 18th and coming direct to
Washington to present in person to Mr.
Olney the position of the Venezuelan
authorities, so far as determined al
present, ON the British-Nenezuela set
tlement. James j. Storrow, who ,ac-
companied him, is expected to return
at the same time. They went to Cara
cas- for the special purpose of laying
before President Crespo and his as
soeiates a copy of the ,Olney-SaIi shurv
agreement. Their early return is a
great surprise. Since their departure.
little~ifRs come from Venezuela, further
than a general statement that the out
look was promising for an acceptance
of the agreement and treaty. Now
that they have determined to return
at this early day without awaiting the
assembling Of the Venezuelan congress,
1T is felt that their meeting with Presi-
dent Crespo has developed some def1n..
lite line of action on the part OF Nenezu-
ella.
So far as can be learned at the state
department. the nature of the iuforma-
tion which Senor Andrade will bring,
has not been anticipated by advices to
the department. The only information
available is the brief cablegram an
nouncing his early return. This was
sent from Caracas on Thursday From
the circumstances attending the mig-
sion Of Messrs Andrade and Storrow.
II is felt that their return means either
one of two things. viz: A satisfactory
understanding or, else, desire on the
part Of the Venezuelan authorities to
secure some change in the terms OF the
agreement
1t has been expected that speedy :ac-
tion would be taken to have the Nene-
zuelan congress pass upon the agree
ment. On this, however, a cOmapliea-
tion has arisen. The regular session
opens Feb 20, so that a delay mntil sl--s.I
made it unlikely that the s.-scsle cce,t cues
ton could be closed ,n5 ,1 of tbe Is,
Olnss 'l.iisseisf ! 9afosed This led to the belief
among officials thai President Cregpo
would call a special session of CON
gress, but this developed another COM
plication. The constitution Of Vene-
zuela provides that a notice of thirty
Gays shall be given as to any extra ses-
sion. At best, therefore, congress could
not be got together until about the mid
die OF January. Thus far, no word has
been received that an extra session will
be called. In any event, action by the
Venezuelan congress will have to be
within few weeks Of Mr.. Olney's re-
tirement.
Aside from The action of the Vene-
zuelan congress on the agreement as a
whole, it is believed that the return of
Senor Andrade will make clear the po-
sition of all parties as to the fifty-year
clause, which is the essential feature Of
the settlement. Schomburgk began pro-
jecting his line In July, 1841, so that If
the territory within this line is to be
treated as occupied the occupancy
dates back fifty-fve years and is five
years more than the arbitration agree
ment requires in order to constitute
lawful possession. From the British
standpoint this f1fty-year clause is
most favorable to them, and it has been
feared that Venezuela would take ex-