The herald., 1896-01-05
To Investigate the Venezuelan
Boundary Line
BREWER MADE PRESIDENT
The Actual Work Will Begin on
Saturday
Canada Decides to Strengthen Her Defenses
end Reorganize the MiIitia-Ali
Is Qulet at Caracas

Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, Jan 4.-The members of
the Venezuelan commission, Mr.. White
alone being absent, had an important con-
ference with secretary Olney today. The
session lasted about an hour. A formal
statement of the proceedings, SO far as ii
was deemed proper to make them public
was given as follows:
Secretary Olney presented to each mem
ber commission, the following being a
copy of one:
To the Hon. David j. Brewer: You are
hereby appointed member of the com.
mission to investigate and report upon the
true location of the divisional line between
the territory of the republic of Venezuela
and that of British Guiana.
1t is expected that the commission will
avail itself of all possible sources of infor-
nation, will apply to all pertinent rules
of municipal and international law and
will make report to the president of their
conclusions, together with the evidence and
documents submitted to and considered by
them, with as little delay as is compatible
with the thorough and impartial cOnsidera.
ton of the subject to be dealt with.
In testimony thereof have caused these
letters to he patent and tha seal of the
United States to be thereunto fixed.
Given under my hand at the city Of
Washington, on the fourth day of January
in the year of our Lord, one thousand
eight hundred and ninety-six. and of the
Independence of the United States of
America the one hundred and and twen'
tieth GROVER CLEVELAND.
RICHARD OLNEY, Secretary.
BY the President.
Justice Brewer was unanimously elected
president of the commission, and pro-
ceeded to administer 10 Mcssrs. Alvey,
Coudert and Gilman the following oath:
l. of - appointed - of United
States at -. do solemnly swear | will
support and defend the constitution of the
United States of America against all ene-
mics, foreign or domestic, that will bear
true faith and allegiance t, the same !;
that take this obligation freely. without
reservation or purpose OF evasion, and
that will we'll and faithfully discharge the
duties of the office of member of the COM
mission to Investigate and report upon the
divisional line between the territory OF
the republic of Venezuela and that of Brit
ish Guiana, etc.
Commissioner Alvey then in turn admin
istered the oath to President Brewer. 1t
was moved and seconded that the presi-
dent designate clerk for the present ses-
sion of the commission, and Walter Bland
ford was appointed. Commissioner Coudert
moved thai the selection of quarters for
the commission be left to President
Brewer and Commissioner Alvey, which
was agreed to. Commissioner Gilman
moved inquiry be made as to the best map
showing the physical characteristics of the
territory in question, which should be re-
produced in convenient form for use of the
commission. This motion was also agreed
to. Commissioner Gilman was authorized
to make inquiry.
The commission, upon motion of Com.
missioner Coudert, adjourned at 1880
o'clock to meet next saturday at 10 a. m,
unless the president shall designate
another day meanwhile. The commission,
after adjourIneni proceeded to the White
House and paid Its respects to the presi-
dent. gsE
Tue commissions issued to the members
80 clearly yet succinctly define the nature
of the tasks set for them that there was
left little to be said by Secretary Olney,
and the most important feature of his re.
marks was an explanation of the desire oi
the government that the commission should
regard itself as entirely independent Of
control in pursuance Of its Investigations