Omaha daily bee., 1896-11-11
KING OSCAR AS MEDIATOR
Boundary Of British Guiana to Be Fixed
by Peaceable Methods.
FlFN-YEAR SETTLERS TO Be RESPECTED
Great britain mud the United states
Agree on BASIS for Arbitration
with the Greatest DIM
Guilty Removed.

Sweden and Norway, Oscar H. has been
chosen by treaty between the United States
and Great Britain as the fifth official ar
bitrator of the Venezuelan boundary ques-
tion. The other arbitrators. four in number.
are to be designated, two by the lord chief
justice of England and two by the chief JUS
tice of the United States.
This is the final and most important fea-
ture OF the treaty for the complete ADJUST
mcnt OF the long pending Venezuelan contro-
versy The treaty was concluded in WASH
ington last night at the British embassy, Sir
Julian Pauncefote representing her Britannia
majesty and Secretary olney the United
States. Since the return Of Sir Julian
Pauncefotc from London, three weeks ago,
negotiations toward nnal settlement have
been proceeding. Most of the meetings
were OF such an important character that
they were held either at MIR. Olney's resi-
dence or at the British embassy, the two
houses being two blocks separated. II hap
pened the concluding meeting was at tho
embassy yesterday and special interest was
given to II from the fact that Lord Salisbury,
the British premier, was to make speech
at the Guildhall, London, In the evening.
II is the annual event, at which the premier
usually takes occasion to review the status
of the most important International Ques-
tiOns. For this reason IL was desired, IL
possible, to acquaint Lord Salisbury OF tho
final and satisfactory adjustment OF the
Venezuelan question, in order that he might
make such announcement as he thought 1t
concerning it. When Secretary Olney and
Sir Julian reached their final conclusions a
cablegram was at once dispatched to Lord
Salisbury, notifying him OF the result IL
reached him within one hour OF the time
when he went on the platform at the Guild
hall, and IT was the basis for his announce
ment to England and the entire world that
the Venezuelan controversy wss settled. 1t
was a general announcement without de-
tail and without any reference to the per-
sonnel OF the court of arbitration.
Thus Washington and London partici-
pated in this eventful scene by which two
leading English speaking nations reach
an amicable means of adjusting the most
troublesome international question OF recent
years.
DETAILS OF THE TREATY.
Although Lord Salisburys statement was
without detail, II is possible to give all OF
the essential features of the treaty con-
cluded in Washington last night The
main point, as already stated is that King
Oscar IL, whose full title is king of Sweden
and Norway, the Goth and Vandals," is the
ifth or decisive arbitrator. II was deemed
best to make this choice rather than to
leave 1t TO the selection OF the four arbitra-
tors. The latter are assured OF being men
of eminent judicial attainment, as the choice
is left entirely TO the judiciary. of the re-
spective countries. The other essential
feature OF the treaty is that fifty years
actual possession is to constitute title
With this Limitation as to the settled dis
tricts the entire sweep of the Venezuelan
boundary Is placed in the hands OF the
court of arbitration.
The treaty covers only Venezuela, and
the question of general arbitration between
the United States and Great Britain is left
to future negotiations.
The Venezuelan commission has authorized
the following official statement
THE statements of Lord Salisbury as re-
ported in the morning papers makes 1t prob
able that the boundary dispute now pending
between Great Britain and Venezuela will
be settled by arbitration at an early day.
Under these circumstances the commission
while continuing its deliberations in the
preparation and orderly arrangement OF
many valuable maps, reports and documents
which have been procured and used in the
course OF It's labors, does not propose to
formulate any decision for the matters sub
ject to it's examination. II will continue its
sessions from time to time. but with the
hope and expectation that a friendly and
Just settlement of all pending differences
between the nations interested will make
any final decision on its part unnecessary"
1t docs not follow that all Of the work
accomplished by the United States commits
sion In the collection of evidence touching
r.
but. on the contrary, this information may
be utilized to great advantage by the agent
or agents selected to represent the claims
of Great Britain and Venezuela before the
arbitration commission. Introduced in
this manner the evidence would be of great
value coming as 1t does not as an ex parte
representation, but as evidence collected by
the commission, and its special experts un-
der rigorous instructions to obtain all perth
nent evidence without regard to which side
ii affected.
OLNEY REFUSES TO TALK
Secretary Olney today refused to make
any statement whatever touching the bound-
airy dispute, but Is is known that certain
details yet remain to be adjusted before the
arbitration treaty can be regarded as an
accomplished fact. Moreover, 1t must bs
borne in mind that any such treaty before
becoming effective must be submitted TO the
United States senate for It's approval, and
this at least involves a delay of weeks, aside
from the possibility of amendments.
As, by common understanding the llmita-
tions to be placed upon the arbitration in
the consideration of vested British claims
have been agreed upon, 1t is probable tho
more important of the details remaining to
be adjusted relate to the personnel of tho
arbitration commission and particularly to
the means to be adopted to give effect to the
decision. The latter always has proved a
dinlcult phase in these negotiations of arbi-
tration treaties and may be expected to re-
qulre especially delicate handling In con-
troversy involving the fortunes of many in
divduals as well as important corporate in
terests and the nationality Of many subjects
While Lord Salisbury's statement Is general
and lacking in details, the negotiations
which have proceeded permit ready appli-
cation OF the general principles he lays down
as to settled districts
From the Venezuelan standpoint the final
agreement for any kind Of arbitration is in
Itself a distinct victory. Venezuela has asked
arbitration for forty years. Great Britain's
reply always has been uniform viz: That
while arbitration was desired. yet the set
tied districts which were regarded as "soy-
eregn British soil' were not open to arbi-
tratiOn. By Lord Salsbury's statement last
night the arbitration will proceed on the ac-
eeptance of the old common law rule OF
prescription"
The understanding here Is that the entire
Venezuelan boundary will be thrown open
10 arbitration, II remaining for Great Britain
to show that certain portions have been oc-
cupied by her subjects so long peacefully.
uninterruptedly and publicly as TO make a
conclusive territorial presumption.
The country. which II Is understood thla
will open to arbitration, embraces all of tho
vast tract west OF the Essequibo river, In
Guiding the Orinoco river on both banks and
at the mouth and the stretch OF land on
either side; also the Barlma country. in
which are located the gold fields the most
valuable resources OF the country East OF