The record-union., 1896-12-07
Diplomatic Announcements in the
Presidents Message.
That the Venezuelan Con-
gress Will IndOrse It-General
Treaty of Arbitration Between
This Country and England Prac-
tically Concluded-Bryan Gives His
Reasons for Writing His Book
Opposition to General Alger for
Place in the Cabinet.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-The proba-
BILE action of Venezuela in the proposed
treaty of arbitration of the British
Guiana boundary dispute, it is stated.
will form one of the most important
diplomatic announcements in the Pres
ident's message to Congress.
What is understood to be in nearly
all essential particulars a copy of the
preliminary agreement entered into
some weeks ago between Secretary Oh
ney and Sir Julian Pauncefote in the
Venezuelan matter is made public. The
draft of the proposed treaty itself
which the Venezuelan Minister, Mr.
Andrade, carried with him to Caracas
TO lay before his Government is more
elaborate than this agreement. 1t
starts with a preamble of considerable
length, and in that it refers to the fifty
years occupation of territory in dis
pute, embodies other points besides
political control which will be taken
into consideration by the tribunal.
These are expressed in technical terms
which international lawyers will un-
derstand, but would not be readily COM
pretended by others.
Advices received from Caracas do not
bear the impression that the Venezue-
ian Cabinet is dissatisfied with the
treaty or that Minister Andrade, who
will shortly return to the United States,
will bring with him the draft of a new
treaty as modified by the Venezuelan
authorities. On the contrary there are
grounds for the belief that President
Crespo and his Executive Advisers have
given their full adhesion to the pro-
posed treaty. Under these circum-
stances it will be signed by Minister
Andrade, representing the South Amer
lean republic and by Sir Julian Paunce-
fote on the part of Great Britain, after
which the United States will drop out
Of the matter, well satisfied to have
been the medium or bringing the two
countries together and of effecting a
settlement of their long dispute through
the peaceful channels of an interna-
tional board of. arbitration
1t was only in this way, it is asserted.
that such a conclusion could have been
reached, as diplomatic relations be-
tween Venezuela and Great Britain
have long been suspended and it was
we'll known that her majesty's Govern
ment would not consent that Venezuela
should have any voice in the selection
of board. While it is entirely true
that the ratification of the treaty must
still depend upon the will of the Vene-
zuelan Congress, no doubt is felt that
that body will indorse President Cres-
pos action.
In regard to a general treaty of arbi-
tration between the United States and
Great Britain, it is stated that the
Presidents message will show that the
negotiations are practically concluded
and that 1t will be the Presidents s
pleasure within a few weeks at most
to lay the treaty before the Senate for
it's consideration. 1t is substantially
finished now excepting a few matters
of detail that are still the subject OF
correspondence, but respecting which
there will be little if any additional de-
lay.