The news & observer., 1896-12-12
HITCH AS TO VENEZUELA.
Some Seeming Doubt as to That Coun
try's Acceptance of Settlement.

Washington, Dec 1.-THE unofficial
reports from Venezuela that a serious
agitation has sprung up against the
boundary settlement agreed on between
the United States and Great Britain
causes much surprise and no little cen
cern in official quarters here. Minister
Andrade and Mr.. james ]. Storrow
were to have sailed from La Guyra, the
seaport Of Caracas, yesterday noon on
the Red ID steamer Philadelphia, and the
boat was expected to reach New York
the 10th. Mr.. Andrade had cablcd the
time of his leaving, as given in the Asso-
ciated Press on the day the cable was
received, and had addressed an official
cablegram to Mr.. 0lney, stating that
President Crespo approved the agree
ment and would call an extra session OF
Congress to ratify it.
For this reason the report that MIR.
Andrade and Mr.. Storrow will lot re-
turn at present, owing to unexpected
developments growing out of the agita-
ton against the settlement, is felt to
embarrass, and possibly imperil the final
adjustment which had been confidently
expected at an early day. Up to the
present time President Crespo has not
called an extra session and thirty days
must expire after the call before the
Congress meets. This has led 10 II ques-
ton whether Venezuela should bear the
heavy expenses of an extra session con-
vening only one month before the regu-
lar session of February 20.
The Venezuela papers, which were had
ia Washington on the last steamer, are
being carefully scanned, but they are
very guarded and appear TO be subject
to some government adyisement on the
subject. The arrival of Mr.. Andrade
and Mr.. Storrow and their conferences
with President Crespo are mentioned
the only reference being an eulogistic
welcome to Mr.. Storrow. La Liberal
treats the settlement as advantageous
and says II not only aids Venezuela. but
establishes a great precedent by WHICH
the United States stands as sentinel
in front Of the American Republics
against European greed for dominion
1t says: THE agreement establishes an
authorized precedent to settle any other
future conflict that may arise between
the American nations and European
courts. At the same time that we have
gained our point, our mediator has sue
ceeded in enforcing respect and recogni-
ton to the great principle of American
international law, by which the Ameri-
can continental policy will not be trod
upon with impunity by Europe.
From to-day the North American
people stand as n sentinel along the At
lantic to compel acknowledgment of the
justice and right of its South American
brothers against the ambition of Europe
to dominate"
This was the first utterance at Caracas
and with this sentiment prevailing Mr..
Andrade's plans to return were made
The adverse agitation now reported and
Mr.. Andrade's determination to defer
his return makes the acceptance Of the
treaty less assured, though in diplomatic
circles it is believed Venezuela, in time,
viii accept, because Of the seeming ar
front which adverse action would be to
the United States. President Crespo
has accepted the treaty and thus far
his influence has been exceedingly potent
in shaping the policy Of this nation.