Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-11-13
Peaceful settlement in sight.

In a speech delivered in London Mon
day night Lord Salisbury, the British
foreign minister, announced that the dis
pute between Great Britain and the United
States over the Venezuela boundary has
been virtually settled. 1t has been settled
on the terms which the United States in
sisted upon. The whole question is to be
referred to unrestricted arbitration with
provsos to protect the rights of settlers
on the disputed territory. Confirmation
of this welcome news comes from Wash
ington. Lord Salisbury has receded COM
pletely fro m the position which he origin
ally took in regard to the boundary claims,
and which led to President Cleveland's
message of last December that so startled
both countries. The final proposal for
solution, which permitted graceful back
down by Great Britain, and which Lord
Salisbury complimented in glowing terms
in his speech, was submitted by Secretary
Olney to Sir Julian Pauncefote last June.
Following the announcement that peace
full settlement has been agreed upon the
Venezuelan boundary commission, ap-
pointed by President Cleveland, issued
state ment Tuesday that in view of Lord
| Salisbury's declaration and the probable
early settlement of the boundary dispute
by arbitration, the commission, while con-
tinuing its deliberations, "does not purpose
to formulate any decision for the present
of the matters subject to its examination.
1t will continue its sessions from time to
time, but with the hope and expectation
that friendly and just settlement of all
| pending differences between the nations
interested will make any final decision on
its part unnecessary"
The board of arbitration is to consist of
| two members appointed by the chief justice
of the United States supreme court; two
| selected by the lord chief justice of Eng
land, and King Oscar of Sweden and Nor
way. The latter is chosen because he has
neither political nor geographical interest
in the territory in question. AS the fifth
arbitrator, he is intended, undoubtedly, to
have the final and casting vote. The en-
tire question in dispute is thus virtually
referred to aboard that will be selected by
men who have every reason to be impartial,
and which will include monarch of high
character and wide attanments, who is
far removed from the possibility of the in
fluence of local sentiment. Venezuela, it
will be noted, is not represented among
the arbitrators, and the question is made a
direct issue between the United States and
Great Britain. Venezuela having in effect
given the United States power of attorney
to act for her interest, her exclusion from
the board is not as singular proceeding as
at first sight it appears to be.
The English newspapers all agree that
the United States has won a brilliant di-
plomatic victory in this matter. The
Times, in commenting upon the fact that
Venezuela is not to be represented on the
arbitration tribunal, says: "This is a most
far-reaching concession and signal diplo-
matte success for the United States, and is
interesting the Americans much more
keenly than any mere rearrangement of
Venezuelan territory. 1t secures to Eng
land the advantage of dealing with a re-
sponsible and friendly power, and admits
the principle that the United States may
not only intervene in disputes with South
American republics, but may entirely SUI
persede the original disputant and assume
exclusive control of the negotiations"