The herald., 1896-12-29
Mr.. OLNEY CONF[RS
WITH PAUNCEFO|E
Regarding the Venezuelan
Agreement
none OF THE Details GIVEN OUT
But the Conference Was Not
Satisfactory
VENEZUELA WON'T ACCEPT
VENEZUELA WON'T ACCEPT
Till Terms Of the Treaty Are Better
Understood
Rough Drafts Don't 0o-The Document Con.
plete Desired
Optimistic Diplomats Still Hope That
All Obstacles Will Be Cleared
Away, But the Prospect 10
Not Very Favorable.
Associated Press special wire


WASHINGTON, Dec 2s.-Secretarv
Olney left the state department at II
o'clock today and went direct to the Brit
ish embassy, where he held a long con-
ference by Appointment with Sir Julian
Pauncefote, the British ambassador.
relative to the status Of the Venezuelan
treay. Mr.. Olney's call followed the ar
rival Of Minister Andrade of Venezuela
and Mr.. James ]. Storrow, counsel in
the Venezuela case, who reached Wash
ington last evening. The result Of the
conference was guarded with the usual
secrecy which prevails at meetings be-
tween the secretary and the ambassa-
dor. but there Is good reason to believe it
was the occasion for going over several
new phases Of the Venezuelan question.
The officials are reticent and will saw
only in general terms that the prospect
OF an acceptance of the settlement by
Venezuela is good. 1t is understood.
however. that there are important lin
itations to the acceptance which appear.
to make the case less hopeful of imme-
date and satisfactory conclusion than
has been expected.
Venezuelan congress to ratify the
treaty has been practically abandoned.
There appears also to be- a question az
to the nature of Venezuela 81 acceptance
President Crespo and the government
authorities have expressed satisfaction
with the general settlements so far an
they secure arbitration, yet they have
not yet expressed official approval of all
the details of the settlement On the
contrary, here seems very earnest de-.
sire at Caracas for more exact informa-
ton of the terms of the treaty between
Venezuela and Great Britain When the
settlement was made in washington =
rough draft of the general features OF
the settlement was made. This contem-
plated the subsequent negotiations of an
arbitration between Great Britain and
Venezuela on the general lines prescrib-
ed by the settlement But the Venezuela
authorities prefer to see the treaty itself
instead of an agreement for treaty.
and the present indications are that
Venezuela will give no acceptance un-
til the entire phraseology of the treaty.
with all its terms and qualifications. IL
completed. This may take considera BILE
time. The general expectation was that
Venezuela would accept the proposed
method of settlement.
Then the diplomatic relations be-
tween Great Britain and Venezuela
would follow as a matter Of course.
When these relations were re-establish-
ed the British minister at Caracas could
readily take up the negotiations Of the
proposed arbitration treaty.
At present however, there is no dis
position to await the gradual maturing
of this complete treaty. and it is little
short of settled that the treaty will have
to be forthcoming and all the incidental
negotiations closed before the desired
Venezuelan ratification is secured.
In official and diplomatic circles there
continues to be satisfactory and hope
full view taken of the situation. 1t Il
felt that all obstacles will be cleared
away in time and there is a disposition
to minimize obstacles as being under
the head of minor details.
| At the same time the practical aban-
donment of the extra session Of the
Venezuela congress and the disposition
treaties before acceptance is given do
not increase the prospects OF speedy
conclusion of the case.
On the question of general arbitration
between the United States and Great
Britain Mr.. Olney and Sir Julian have
made their final draft Of the treaty and
it is in the hands of Lord Salisbury
awaiting his approval.
No doubt exists Of It's approval ana
it is expected to come daily. 1t had not
arrived when Mr. Olney conferred with
the ambassador today.