Evening star., 1896-10-23
THE VENEZUELA QUESTION
Ambassador Paunoefote Has Brief Interview
With Secretary 0lney.
a Possibility That the Matter May BE
Adjusted Before the Meeting
of CGnEress.

Sir Julian Pauncefote, British ambassa-
dor, called at the State Department at II
O'CLOCK today for the purpose of presenting
to Secretary Olney certain propositions
which, IL accepted by the United States
probably will settle the Venezuela contro-
versy. The ambassador arrived here last
evening, after conferences in London with
Lord Salisbury and Mr.. Joseph Chamber
lain, secretary of state for the colonies
during which the Venezuela question was
considered. After the conferences. the for
eign Office gave out an official statement, re-
citing that Sir Julian has returned to
Washington with certain Instructions. and
negotiations will Re reopened Immediately
on his arrival, but it is too early to say
whether or not the proposals of the British
government are likely to he accepted
1t was for the purpose of presenting these
definite proposals that Sir Julian called
this noon. Owing to this being cabinet
day, Sir Julian and the Secretary mad only
ten minutes conference The ambassador
carried a large roll of documents. which
he left for the careful perusal of the Sec
retary. From the bulk of the documents
1t Is supposed that they were made ND in
large part OF data respecting the extent
Of the British individual interests in the
disputed boundary territory, information
which Secretary Olney has all along sought
from the British side. If this troublesome
phase OF the boundary dispute can be ad-
5usted satisfactorily there is little doubt
IN view OF the official statement from the
British foreign office, that the remaining
questions can be speedily settled.
This Mornings Interview.
1t is understood that in the course of
their brief interview this morning British
Ambs ssador Pauncefote informed the Sec
retary OF State that he had been autnor-
lied to close negotiations for the arbi-
tration of the Venezuelan boundary dis
pute on the lines indicated in Lord Sails
bury's amended proposals for an ami
cable and definite settlement Of the uues-
tion. 1t Is also stated that the British
ambassador notified Secretary Olney that
he stood ready to meet him at any time
for further eluc.dation of the matters
embraced in the data prepared at the for
EN- ONCE in case any additional infor-
nation was desired in that connection and
also That he awaited the Secretarys pleas
ure as to when they should meet for
more extended discussion of the CUES
lions involved in the rope of reaching
a prompt and satisfactory agreement ON
the questions for the settlement of the
issues raised by the United States
His PrOmptness Commented On,
Ambassador Pauncefotes promptness in
| this matter is the subject of some comment
In diplomatic circles today and is gener-
ally accepted as an indication of the desire
Of the British government for an im,nedi-
ate conclusion of the negotiations Sir
Julian disembarked from the steamship at
New York yesterday morning and came to
w Washington last evening, too late now
ever. for a call at the State Department
He lost no time this morning, though. in
visiting that department and transacting
with Secretary Olney the important bus
| mess intrusted to him by Lord Salisbury
ana which had engaged SO much of his
time and attention while in London.
Spendy Adjustment Probable.
In view Of the well-known desire of the
President and the Secretary of State TO
bring this matter to a satisfactory conciu-
sion as soon as possible, IL is certain that
Sir Julian will have 10 reason to complain
| OF any lack of expedition on the part of The
administration.
J Therefore, unless some unlocked-for COM
piicauon shall arise in the consideration of
the question in its new aspect, il is PROB
| able that the President will be able 10
formally announce to Congress at its meet
| ing in December next that Great Britain
and the United States have at last agreed
upon an honorable basis for the settlement
oil the Venezuelan boundary controversy
and that ne will also be able 10 state that
THIS agreement was reached before the
submission OF the report of the Venezuelan
commission constituted to ascertain the