Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-01
THE VENEZUELA DISPUTE
The Queen Has Sent No Message, but Pres
ident Crespo Has.
Awaiting the Formation Of the Com
mission - Character and Pro-
cedure of the Body.

No communication 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 action Of Con-
gress. This disposes of several reports in
Guiding one that Queen Victoria had ad-
dressed a personal communication, similar
in tone to the one sent by the Prince of
Wales. expressing the hope that the two
Erglish-speaking people would have no
serious differences. Such a direct COM
munication would be according to the
usage observed between the heads Of ma
tions, but in the present case her majesty
has given no expression on the subject. 1t
Is known, however, that President Crespo
has sent a direct message to the executive
branch of the United States
Among officials and the representatives of
the foreign powers interested 1t Is said that
nc steps are contemplated for the present
beyond the formation of the Venezuelan
commission. In unofficial quarters the
ames of Messrs. Phelps, Lincoln and
Brewer are most heard in connection with
the commission.
Probable Action of the COnsmlssion.
The expectation is that the commission
will convene very soon after the names are
announced, select their secretaries. trans
lators, interpreters and executive officers.
and determine upon their course of pro-
cedure. There Is 100000 available for ex-
peEses under the act creating the body. A
good part Of this will be expended in the
salaries of the commissioners, which will
be commensurate with their station and
the Importance of the work involved, ex-
cept In the case Of an official. lika Justice
Brewer, already holding a government posi-
tion. -..l
The policy which the commission will
adopt is being awaited with much interest
by those concerned. The act makes the
commission Independent Of the State De-
partment and all executive control SO that
it will be for the body itself to decide on
the method of procedure. and whether 1t
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 commission is
an independent quast-judicial body, which
is responsible for its own actions. Some of
the international authorities say that even
the evidence to be offered by the State De-
partment will have the same weight and
treatment, and no more, as the evidence
coming from other sources, as it Is pointed
out that the commission will not prejudge
the case by assuming the correctness of the
attitude Of the State Department
Great Britnin's Course,
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 secured. The British
attitude of late has been favorable to an
Investigation by the United States of the
basis of the British claims, for it is felt
that the inquiry had been ex parte up 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 its creation. But the names
of the men mentioned as likely to consti-
tute it have changed this feeling, until
the present indication is that the British
will not be averse to establishing before
such a body the rights which Lord Sails
bury stated to be incontestfble. This may
not be done by direct appearance before the
commission, but by the submission of the
British case in response to the wishes of
the commission conveyed through Secretary
Oiney. BY such a procedure the British
foreign office would be giving no recogni-
ton to the Jurisdiction of the commission,
and yet would secure hearing Of its case.
Spain is All Right.
On the part of Spain it is known that
no objection will be raised to the fullest
examination of the Spanish archives Mr..
Olney has not yet requested that such an
examination be allowed, out he is assured
of a favorable answer In case a request is
submitted. In this connections it is said
that the recent reports from Europe of an
understanding between 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 sof iEforma-
ticn. not only as to Venezuela, but as to
all the South and Central American coun-
tries, most Of them naving been Spanish
dependencies. AS a result of this Spain is
frequently asked to arbitrate boundary dis
rutes between these countries. At the pres
eEt time Spain mas on hand one of these
arbitrations involving the boundary Of Ec-
uador.