Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-23
VENEZUELA MATTER.
Sentiment Of British 4 Rs On Sstils
msnt BY Arbitration.
CASE OF MISSIONARY KSArr.
Talk Of an AmcricaE Comnissien t.
Examine Into ft--salisbsry's Pres
tise waning-Consols At the AS
founding Price Of no.
Especial London cable Lottery

toDcclui l<Ou0OH S4bic s&tt1A1
LONDON. February 22.-The represen-
tativs OF the United press spent three
hours In the lobby Of the House Of
Commons yesterday afternoon sounding
members Of the House regarding the Plan
for the settlement Of the Venezuelan dis
pute, which Mr.. George w. smalley. the
American correspondent Of the Times
claims. emanated from the United States
Government. The consensus Of opinion
among the Unionist members was that
the proposal to appoint a joint Anglo
American commission is hardly necessary.
in view Of the present position of affairs.
Among those interviewed was the Hon.
Evelyn Hubbard, who was recently elect
ed to represent the Lambeth division or
Brixton. Mr.. Hubbard Is typical repre-
sentative of the Conservatives. He Is the
youngest son Of the first Baron Ad-
dington. He IL member Of the firm
of Messrs. John Hubbard & Co.. Russia
merchants. OF st. Helen's Place. and OF
Egerton, Hubbard & Co.. Of st. Peters
burg; a director Of the Bank Of England;
a commissioner Of Public Works Loans.
a deputy-lieutenant for the city OF Lon
don, and, since March last. an alderman
OF the County Council.
Mr.. Hubbard remarked that there was
not much need of sucn q commission as
that mentioned by Mr.. Smalley, for the
reason that there was little doubt tnat
the matter would be amicably adjusted py
direct negotiations between Great britaih
and Venezuela. The commission appoint
ed by President Cleveland further dimin-
ished the necessity for joint commas
sion. as he (Mr. Hubbard) anticipated that
the findings of the former BODY wouio
be such as to satisfy the British claims
Moreover the friendly tone now prevail
ing on all sides would be certain TO
lead to a result that would be acceptable
to English ideas.
Sir Ellis Ashmead- Bartlett, q Conserva-
tive, who Is in favor Of strengthening
and extending the imperial power ana
the commerce OF the United Kingdom,
said he was glad to see that both sides
had adopted more friendly tone, ana
that the spirit of jngoism had disappear
ed. He added that much Of the general
interest had gone out Of the case, as
there was not now even a possibility OF
war.
AMICABLE SETTLEMENT SURE.
He expressed himself as being skeptical
in regard to the appointment OF a joint
commission, because the matter was sure
to be settled amicably without such q
body. When asked II the findings OF the
American high commission would De
enough for Great Britain, he said ne was
not sure, adding: "Of course, any honor
able settlement would be acceptable 10
Great Britain. but Lord Salisbury could
not leave the settlement OF British AFFAIRS
to the American commission. Neverthe-
less. its findings might be satisfactory
to Great Britain"
The other members who were question
ed said they preferred not to make 9
formal statement, owing to the appeal In
the House of Commons of the First Lord
OF the Treasury, Mr.. A. j. Balfour, that
the members Of the House would not dis
cuss the policy which has been pursued
by the government anent the boundary
dispute These members, however, indi'
Gated their confidence In the personnel
and the procedure OF the American high
commission, and expressed firm belief
that the findings of this commission would
Justify the British claims.
The Speaker lengthiy discusses the
plan for the appointment Of a joint COM
mission, and says II cannot believe that
the scheme cabled to the Times by Mr..
SmaIley is the best that Washington can
arrange. There would be difficulty regard
ing the settled districts. In the event OF
their being found not 10 belong to Great
Britain, 1t thinks that this country should
nav to Venezuela for them a sum to be
fixed by arbitrators. 1t says 1t does not
think that such a purchase would be con-
trary TO the Monroe doctrine, while II
would secure the seal TO the British point
that British subjects must not be handed
over to the tender mercies Of the Vene-
zuelans.
CASE OF REV. MR. KNAPP.
In regard to the case Of the Rev.
George p Knapp. one Of the American
missionaries at Bitlis, who Is accused by
the Porte OF having encouraged seditious
movements among the ArmeniaDs. and
who will 60 to Constantinople for the
trial, the representative of the United
Press learns that for some time thsre
have been charges against him Of In
citing and assisting the Armenians to re-
volt against the Forte The charges are
undoubtedly made for the purpose OF
forcing Mr.. Knapp to leave the country
Mr. Hampson. the British Consul at Bit
lis, reported that the charges were abb
surd. but nevertheless Mr.. Knapp was
summoned before the criminal court to
answer the charge Of conspiracy.
The Hon. A. w. Terrill. the American
Minister at Constantinople, was asked
what he should do. Mr.. Terrill replied
advising him not 20 obey the summons,
and added that II he were In danger OF
arrest he had better stay In his house.
Mr.. Terrill then informed the Porte that
he would not allow Mr.. Knapp to be
tried In the manner proposed by the Turk
ish authorities. Hall Rifat Pasha, the
Grand Vizier, answered that ne could NOT
stop the course of justice. There IL some
talk Of an American commission going to
Coustantinople to examine into the affair.
Mr.. Thomas Sexton. who on Tuesday
last made application for the stewardship
of the Chiltern Hundreds, which Is the
form observed when member OF the
House of Commons wishes to give Up his
seat In the House, has left London. He
win now devote himself to directing the
Freeman's Journal. of Dublin.
SPLIT IN ANTI-PARNELLITE RANKS
The split in the ranks Of the apti-Par-
nellitcs since the refusal OF Mr.. sexton
to accent the leadership Of the party. and
the election Of Mr. John Dillon - leader
Is more bitter than ever.
The Irish Catholic. Mr.. Timothy Hea-
ly's organ. says: "our feeling for Mr..
Sexton - cie Of sincere pity. He pre-
fers a saiaried .oftice on newspaper to
the craftsmanship of the party that haa
been impoverished by the policy which
he zoueht to impose on the people. To
suppose that John Dillon can ever be
REGARDED as the leader Of our race II
grotesque absurdity, His admitted inca
pacity will plunge the movement into
ccnstant blunders."
OCCUPATION WITH KOREA.
The statement made IN the House q
Commons on Thursday last BY the Right
Hon. George Curzon. parliamentary Sec