The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-20
THE VENEZUELAN QUESTION.
Mr.. SmnIiey Has More to Say About
His Joint Commission.

LONDON, Feb. pa Washington dis
patch to the Times with reference to the
editorial in that paper yesterday, which
was cabled to the United States, says: 1T
is agreed here that the governments would
only be bound by majority of the original
members of the joint Venezuelan commits
son." The Times editorial referred to ex-
pressed the conviction that q proviso to
this effect would have TO go with the plan
for the appointment of joint commission.
With reference to the growing agitation in
America in favor of board of interna-
tional arbitration, the Washington dis
patch to the Times says: THE movement
here will lend strength to the movement
in England, and Lord Salisbury will find
himself face to face with an organized ef-
fort, well led and formidably supported,
with unusual means of securing such at
tention and support will enable Presi-
dent Cleveland to renew and press his pro-
posal. All this might die peaceabiy away
If Lord Salisbury consented TO the complete
arbitration of the Venezuelan dispute. 9th
erwise he is likely to find himself confront
ed with the necessity Of saying yea or nay
TO some such scheme as that now pigeon
holed in Downing street. He knows well
that the American executive will welcome
any good occasion 10 revive his plan. He
will see that that plan, backed By the exc
cutive alone is one thing, but backed by
both houses of Congress and strong pub
lie sentiment is another and a harder to
put aside 1t rests with Lord Salisbury to
choose between guarded. guaranteed ar
bitration confined to Venezuela or an un-
limited arbitration, opening the doors to
infinite mischief in the future"
In an editorial, commenting the fore
going, the Times contends that the metnol /
OF proceed ire now suggested does not favor
a rapid disposal of the disputed question
but would rather deal with a detailed in
vestigation Gf different districts which
would be a work of time. AS to an ac-
ceptance of the general principles" the edi-
torial continues, the regular course would
probably be that the United States should
formulate them for the consideration OF
the Queens government. which cannot be
blamed for waiting FOR some more au-
thOritative presentation than has yet been
made. Nothing is more harmful than 20
assume a more exact and defined agreement
than really exists. What is wanted now is
an exact understanding as basis for the
conditions on which an arbitration ought 10
proceed On the other hand, it is not neces-
sary to wait until We can formally ratify
an agreement on the whole question. II is
highly probable that il the proposal for a
joint commission were officially submitted
England would accept forthwith with little
or no modification. This would save time
and would draw the two governments closer
together. 1T is quite a mistake 10 imagi
as they seem to do in Washington. tha:
general arbitration has any terrors for the
British government. Mr. A. J. Balfour's
recent remark In Parliament ought TO dis
pose of that idea. But general arbitration
could never any more than partially in luce
either England or the United States te
fcrego the right of sovereign states TO de-
fine by negotiation the case 10 be submitted
10 the arbitrators.
a letter to the Times from Georgetown
British Guiana. says that IL Is underStcoa
that as an outcome o. an official visit tc
fs.,t,r fa~t In f>fr fsr of 49,.
in February, an important dispatch has beer
sent to Colonial Secretary Chamberlain. Tbs
British residents. IL Is further said. are
cooperating with Consul Patterson In col