The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-29
PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA DE-
CLINES TO GOE INTO ANY
BLIND POOL.
WANTS THE ACTUAL TREATY
WHEN 1T IS READY HE WILL SAY
WHAT. HE WILL
Do 4
STATUS OF THE CASE DISCUSSED.
Long Conference Between Secretary
Olney and Sir Julian Pauncefote
to Talk Things Over.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28.-Secretary
Olney left the state department at u
o'clock today, and went direct to the
conference, by appointment, with Sir
Julian Pauncefote, the British ambasa-
dor, relative to the status Of the Ven
ezuelan settlement and the general
treaty of arbitration between the
United States and Great Britain. Mr..
Olney's call followed the arrival OF
Minister Andrade, of Venezuela. and
James ]. Storrow, counsel in the Ven
ezuelan case, who reached Washing
ton late last evening. The results Of
the conference were guarded with the
usual secrecy which prevails at meet
ings between the secretary and the am
bassador, but there Is good reason to
believe 1t was the occasion for going
over several new phases Of the Ven
ezuelan question which have developed
with the return Of the officials from
Caracas.
The officials themselves are extremely
reticent and will say only in general
terms that the prospect of an accept
ance Of the settlement by Venezuela is
good 1t is understood, however, that
there are important limitations to this
acceptance, which appear to make the
case less hopeful Of an immediate and
satisfactory conclusion than has been
expected. The plan of an extra SEES
sion Of the Venezuelan congress has
been practically abandoned.
When the settlement was made in
Washington two months ago, little
doubt existed that an extra session
would be called Immediately by Presi-
dent Crespo. Messrs. eAndrade and
Storrow left for Caracas to urge Pres
ident Crespo and the government au-
thorities to secure an immediate ac-
ceptance. On arriving at Caracas Mr..
Andrade cabled Secretary Olney that
President CrespO would call an extra
session. This was received with salts
faction at the state department as an
evidence that Venezuela would act
promptly. Since then, however no cali
for an extra session has been issued.
President Crespo and the govern
ment authorities have expressed salts
faction with the general results Of
the settlement so far as they secured
arbitration, yet they have not yet ex-
pressed approval, officially, of all the
details of the settlement. On the con-
trary. there seems to be very earnest
desire at Caracas for more exact In
formation on the terms of the treaty
DSlWSeH SIleZuSld ana (Irodt Britain,
After the settlemnt made in Washing
ton, a rough draft Of the general feat
ures Of the settlement was made This
contemplated the subsequent negotia-
ton Of an arbitration treaty between
Great Britain and Venezuela But the
Venezuelan authorities, prefer to see
the treaty itself, instead of an agree
ment for treaty, and the present in
dications are that Venezuela will give
no acceptance until the entire treaty
with all it's terms and qualifications,
is completed.
In official and diplomatic circles, it
is felt that all obstacles will be cleared
away IN time, so as to give a more
hopeful view Of the situation. At the
same time, the practical abandonment
of the extra session of the Venezuelan
congress and the disposition to close
all negotiations on the final treaties
before an acceptance is given, do not
increase the prospects of q speedy con-
cluSion Of the case.
On the question of general arbitra-
ton between the United States and
Great Britain. Mr.. Olney and Sir Julian
have made the final draft of the treaty
and it is in the hands of Lord Sails
bury awaiting his approval No doubt
exists of it's approval and it is expected
to arrive daily, but it had not come up
tC this afternoon. 40