Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-11-19

Washington, Nov. 1.-THE king of
Sweden and Norway, Oscar II, has been
CHOSEN by a treaty between the United
States and Great Britain as the fifth
oncIal arbitrator in the Venezuelan
boundary question. The other arbi-
traltrs, four in number, are to be des-
1gnated, two by the lord chief Justice
OF England, and two by the chief JUS
tlce of the United States. This is the
final and most important feature of
the treaty fOT the complete adjust
ment OF the lOng-pending Venezuelan
controversy. The treaty was cCnclud-
ed at Washington Monday night at the
British embassy. Sir Julian Paunce-
foote representing her Britannia males
ty and Secretary Olney the United
States. Since the return of Paunce-
foote from London, three weeks ago,
negotiations towards a final settle
ment have been proceeding Most of
the meetings were of such Importance
that they were held either at Olney's
residence or at the British embassy
the two houses being but two blocks
separated. There happened to be a
meeting at the embassy Monday aud
when Olney and Pauncefoote reached
final conclusions a cablegram was at
once dispatched to Salisbury, notifying
him OF the result. 1t reached him
within an hour of the time when he
went on the PLATFORM at Guild hall.
and it was the basis for his announce
ment to England and the entire world
that the Venezuelan controversy was
settled. 1t was a general announce
ment without detail and without Any
reference to the personnel of the court
of arbitration. Thus Washington
and London participated in this event
full scene by which two of the leading
English-speaking nations reached by
amicable means the adjusting of one
of the most troublesome international
questions of recent years. Although
Salisbury's statement was without
details it is possible to give all the
essential features of the treaty con-
cluded in Washington Monday night.
One point, as already stated, is that
King Oscar II, Of Sweden and Norway,
is the fifth or decisive arbitrator. 1t
was deemed best to make this choice
rather than leave 1t to the selection Of
! four arbitrators. The latter are as
sured of being men of wise judgement,
as their choice was left entirely to
the Judiciary Of the respective coun-
tries. Another essential feature Of
the treaty is that actual possession for
SO years shall constitute title. With
this limitation as to the settled dis
tricts, the entire question of the Ven
ezuelan boundary is placed in the
hands Of the court of arbitration. The
treaty covers only Venezuela and
the question of general arbitration tie
tween the United States and Great
Britain is left to future negotiations.
AS King Oscar seldom leaves his
country except on state visits to other
sovereigns, it is not expected that he
will go outside Sweden for a meeting
of the arbitrators, and the court is
likely to sit at Stockholm, the capital
of Sweden, where King Oscars palace
and the halls of the Swedish Reksdag
are located. The choice of King 0s-
car appears to have been most
fortunate one, as he is universally re
! garded as a man of great attainmencs,
| judicial temperament, and of eminent
fairness. Among the monarchs OF
Europe he is probably the most popu-
lar, as he goes freely among the people
and is thoroughly democratic in his
|
him in this country is shown by the
fact that the Scandinavian residents
of the United States at present are
raising large sum with which to buy
him present on the celebration Of
his Goth birthday. He has long
shown a most cordial sentiment to-
wards the United States ami TINS
doubtless had some part in MS sete3-
ton. The learning and judicial lar
ness which King Oscar has shown in
several recent arbitrations Led to tie
feeling that he is pre-emin emily
qualified for the responsibility in
volved in his present choice by the
United States and Great Britain.
Salisbury's acceptance OF this COM
l1OA low OO1IA4hO VI PlCoCl ApIAOh 90
applicable to international dispute, is
said to be in line with views laid
down by international writer's who
have differed only as to the length Of
occupancy essential to establish title.
Most of our states adopted from ten to
twenty years. The original English
rule was that occupancy should be so
long that ''the memory of man runneth
not to the contrary" International
writer's fixed 20, 80, and in some cases,
as high as hundred years as the
period necessary to establish title No
international writer placed the period
below twenty years, so if Ambassador
Bayard is right in his belief that 20
years will constitute the test Of British
right, it indicates an indisposition to
yield to the fullest extent.
Among diplomats it is felt that the
efforts of the Venezuelan commission
have not been in vain. 1t is regarded
as a moral force which helped toward
the present result. Moreover, the
commission accumulated a mass Of ev-
idence bearing directly on the facts.
Two notes passing between Olney
and Salisbury which narrowed down
to an agreement was the only i'm
portant issue remaining to be decided,