The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-11
VENEZUELAN PEACE VICTORY.
FULLER DETAILS ABOUT THE AN
GLO-AMERICAN AGREEMENT.

Two Letters Exchanged by Prime
Minister Salisbury and Secretary
of state Olney Made PubIIc--The
Premier Makes an Explanation
That Modifies the Interpretation
Put UpOn Previous COmmunicR-
tiOn by Secretary OIney.
Washington. Nov. 1O.-The Venezuelan
commission met to-day, with all the MEM
bers present. The report of Prof. Burr,
who has been at The Hague, studying the
Dutch archives, was received, and the
professor was heard on It,
Mr.. Mallet-Prevost, secretary Of the
commission, made the following statement
after to-day's session: "The statements
of Lord Salisbury, as reported in the
morning papers, make 1t probable that
the boundary dispute now pending be-
tween Great Britain and Venezuela will
be settled by arbitration at an early day.
Under these circumstances, the commits
sion, while continuing It's deliberations
in the preparation and orderly arrange
ment of many valuable maps, reports and
documents, which have been procured and
used in the course of its labors, does not
propose to formulate any decision, for the
present, of the matters subject to its ex-
animation. 1t will continue It's sessions
from time to time, but with the hope and
expectation that a friendly and Just set@
tlement of all the pending differences be-
tween the nations interested will make
any final decision on its part unneces-
sary."
Two letters which were exchanged be-
"a
ain regarding Venezuela since the pres
entation of Mr.. Olneys counter-proposi-
ton of June H. were given to the press
at the state department this afternoon,
and help materially to clear up the sltua-
tion.
In dispatch of May q, 1896. Lord Sails
bury had proposed an evenly divided COM
mission TO report upon the territory in
dispute outside the so-called settled dis
tricts, and Secretary Olney had suggested
the provision for commission of unequal
numbers. The next dispatch was from
Lofd salisbury to Sir Julian Pauncefote
and was as follows:
Foreign Office, July 9, 1s96.-Sir: I
nave TO acknowledge your excellency's
dispatch of 18th of June epclosing a note
from MT. olney, in which he explains the
reasons that induce the government of
the United States to withhold their as
sent from the proposals with respect 10
the venezuelan frontier contained in nv
dispatch of the 22d of May.
Inc arguments by which Mr. Olney
supports this view will receive the careful
consideration of her majesty's govern
ment. am not now writing to you for
the purpose Of discussing them, NV OBJ
Ject In addressing your exceflencv is N
point out that in a matter of some inn
portanee, Mr.. Oney-owing. Doubtless IN
the lnadequacy of my own explanation
mas Inexperienced the purport of the
proposal which / had the honor to make
to him. He states that 1t appears to be
fundamental condition, that the bound
airy line, decided to be the true one bv the
arpltrators, shall not operate upon terri
tory bona fide occupied by British sub
Ject-shall be DETECTED in every case 40
as to make such territory part of British
Guiana.
This was not the intention of my pro-
posals and the language of my dispatch
OF May 22 does not l think, fairly bear
this construction. / proposed that the
tribunal should not have power to include
such districts as the territory of Venezue-
Ia but did not propose that they should
necessarily be assumed without further
proof to be part of British Guiana. / only
stipulated that the ownership of them was
not to be decided by the tribunal. which.
In our Judgment, was inadequate for this
purpose, though 1t was adequate for the
assignment of the unsettled districts. The
settled districts, shown to be in DISPUTE
by the inquiries of the commission were
10 De disposed OF by subsequent negotia-
tion. The claim of Venezuela Is so far
reaching that it brings into question inter
ests and rights which cannot properly be
disposed OF by an unrestricted arbitration.
1t extends as far as the Essequlbo; il COW
ers two-thirds of the colony of British
Guiana; 1t impeaches titles which have
been unquestioned for many generations.
These districts must be treated separately.
and until further Inquiry has thrown more
light upon the matter 1t is only by reserv-
ing the settled districts generally that this
can be done.
The view OF her majestys government
is that where the matter in issue Is OF
great Importance and involves rights
which belong to a considerable popula-
tion and are deeply cherished by them.
special precautions against any miscar-
riage OF Justice are required, Of which |
have indicated the general character in
this correspondence. but which are not re-
quired where title to unoccupied terri
tory is alone in issue. 1t is for this reason
that her maJesty's government proposed
to except these districts from the turis-
diction of the arbltal tribunal, though II
could deal adequately with the disputed
claims TO territory that is not occupied.
But they did not intend by that stipulation
to the government OF the United States TO
prejudice any Questions which had been
raised or might be raised with respect TO
the ownership OF settled districts. This
part OF the subject, confessedly the most
difficult part, would have to be reserved
for separate examination. / should wish
you to offer this explanation to Mr.. Oh
ney when you have an opportunity, and II
he desires It, give him a copy OF this dis
patch. i will reserve for another occa-
sion the observations which. after consid-
eration, / may have to make in reply to
the general argument Of his note.
Salisbury"
Secretary olneys reply to this letter
follows:
Department OF State Washington, July
1S, 1885, --Excellency: / have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt from you OF a
copy Of Lord Salisbury's dispatch to you
Of the 30 inst It's object Is 10 explain
that his lordship, IN his previous dis
patch Of May p, did not intend that the
boundary line fixed by the proposed arbl-
trail tribunal should include In British
Guiana any territory bona fide occupied
by British subject Jan. /. 1887.
But as such territory must
fall upon one side or the other