Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-11-20
Venezuelan Dispute Will Now
be Arbitrated.
KING OSCAR AN ARBITRATOR
Points In the Treaty-Work Not to
Be Wasted-A Victory for Ven-
ezueIa-Notes that Passed
Between Lord Sails
bury and Secretary
OlrnnNL
Olney,

OIn9ys
special from Washington, D. c., says
The King OF Sweden and Norway, Oscar Ii,
has been chosen by treaty between the Uni
ted States and Great Britain as the fifth or
final arbitrator OF the Venezuela boundary
question. The other arbitrators, four In
number, are to be designated-tWo by the
Lord Chief Justice of England and two by
the Chief Justice of the United States.
This Is the final and the most important
feature OF the treaty for the complete ad-
iustment OF the long-pending Venezuela con-
troversy. The treaty was concluded In
Washington Tuesday at the British embassy
Sir Julien Pauncefote representing her
Britannia Majesty and Secretary Olney the
United States Since the return OF Sir julien
from London three weeks ago negotiations
toward final settlement have been proceed
Ing. Most of the meetings were OK such an
important character that they were held
either at Mr.. Olney's residence or at the
British embassy, the two houses being but
two blocks separated.
1t happened that the concluding meeting
was at the embassy Tuesday night, and spec
iaI interest was given to 1t from the fact that
Lord Salisbury, the British premier, was to
make a speech at Guildhall, London, later In
the evening. 1t Is an annual event, at which
the premier usually takes occasion to review
the status of the most important interna-
tlonal questions. For this reason 1t was de-
sired, If possible, to acquaint Lord Salisbury
OF the final and satisfactory adjustment OF
the Venezuela question in order that ho
might make such announcement as he
thought fit concerning it.
When Mr.. Olney and Sir julien reached
their final conclusions cablegram was at
once dispatched to Lord Salisbury notifying
him OF the result 1t reached him within
one hour OF the time when he went on the
platform at Guildhall, and it was the basis
for his announcement to England and to the
entire world that the Venezuela controversy
was settled.
It was general announcement, without
detail, and without auy r1f0r0nco " the per
sonnel OF the court OF arbitration. Thus,
Washington and London participated In this
eventful scene by which the two leading
English-speaklng nations reach an amicable
means OF adjusting the most troublesome
international question Of recent years.
The main point, as already stated, is that
King Oscar II, whose full title Is "King Of
Sweden and Norway, the Goths and Van
dals," is the fifth or decisive arbitrator. 1t
was deemed best to make this choice rather
than to leave 1t to the selection of the other
four arbitrators. The latter are assured Of
being men Of eminent judicial attainment,
as their choice is left entirely to the judiciary
of the respective countries.
The other essential feature Of the treaty Ia
that fifty years actual possession Is to con-
stitute title. With this limitation as to the
settled district, the entire sweep CT Vene-
zuela boundary is placed in the hands OF the
court OF arbitration.
The treaty covers only Venezuela, and the
question OF general arbitration between the
Emitted States and Great Britain is left to
future negotiations.
AS king seldom leaves his country ex-
cept on State visits to other sovereigns, 1t is
not expected that King Oscar II will go out
side Of Sweden for the meeting OF the arbi-
traitors, and the court is likely to sit at Stock
holm, the capital Of Sweden, where King
Oscars palace and the halls Of the Swedish
Reksdag are located.