New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-12
SENOR CRESPO'S MESSAGE.
THE VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT Dio'
cUssEs THE ARBITRATION TREATY.
MEssRs CLEVELAND AND oI.NEy THANKED HUN
THEIR WORK IN SECURING SETTLEMENT
OF THE BOUNDARY DIsPUTE-LLTTLE
DOUBT THAT THE AGREEMENT


WILL BE RATIFIED.
Washington March 1.-THE State Department
to-day received from the American Minister al
Caracas a COPY of President Crespo's message sept
to the Venezuelan Congress on February 2oin when
he discusses the Venezuelan arbitration treaty d.
considerable length He says in part:
The Department Of Foreign Affairs has given
Soumar ,ne question asi Of British Guiana Of
absorbing interest ever since His Exee ,h MN IN
which the United states intended TO exercise .. the Inc
solicited by asae tti ''
He narrates in detail the course taken by the
United States In establishing the Venezuelan Com
mission and the volumnous proof which Venezuela
submitted to that body In support OF Its rights 10
the disputed territory. and continues:
While the Venezuelan Government, through the
was presenting and urging Its rights before the
Washington with iaudabie efforts was endeavoring
to secure arbitration from the British Ministry IN
this DISPUTE Of century, had n of
the means employed TO induce our powerful adver-
sary to accept arbitration unreseryedly and unco1-
ed. was derived from the publication of the CORE
spondence between the Governments at Washing
Year. ana and %Sc Being so favorable to this
public was sent here to be translated into Spanish
its Legation In Washington. was consulted as to a
point in relation to those negotiations for arbitra;
which Mas seemingly suggested this point; ar.
from Great Britain expected to the de-
teIm ,n,. points Of the a1hlira h
Informed that the 18th Of November there had
oney Secretary Of state OF the Hned states and
Sir Julian Pauncefote Ambassador of Her Bri
essential basis for treaty. Between Venezuela and
Great Britain, which by means Of arbitration,
nations.
the Washington Government for the consideration
% nhf s BY of letter shs to e
manifested the noble desire to see accepted COM
geou t "'' III M 'p'"''''' was just anu a''''''-
The recourse to arbitration offered Itself and al
though by no means In the manner wished for by
venezuela. was moro consonant than any other
with the desires manifested The Government
deemed It proper to insert in the treaty pro-
vision tina; Venezuela should have voice in the
naming Of the Arbitra Tribunal. As this
change was proposed its acceptance procured
The plan Of settlement was presented for the con-
operative participation contrary to the sovereignty
and Independence OF the republic: further. as the
United States had conducted the negotiations ac-
cordng to their Judgment alone. the definite, ac-
ceptance OF the bases will always involve for them
sor; Of friendly responsibility which will be In
the two nations represented by the Arbral Tri
bunal; 1t Is emInentiy Just to recognize the fact
ored to conduct this matter in the mos. favorable
Of intelligence and goodwill worthy OF praise and
thanks from us who are so intimately acquainted
with the conditions OF THIS most complicated ques-
ton.
1t Is your duty. according to the constitutional
law Of the republic. TO examine the treaty which
the Venezuelan Minister Plenipotentiary signed In
accordance with the bases referred to. and the
change proposed by the executive power In regard
to the formation of the Arbitral Tribunal And as
this is affair of such Importance. involving as
it does such sacred interests. beg you that from
the moment II Is presented for your consideration
you will POSTPONE all other business until you shall
decide upon IL.
An unsigned copy Of the Venezuelan boundary
treaty sent TO Caracas for tho information Of
the Ministry fortnight ago. Spanish transla-
ton OF the treaty. signed by Sir Julian Pauncefote
and Senior Andrade, was mailed on March I, and
will reach Caracas Saturday OF this week. II
| will be laid by President Crespo before the Ven
ezuelan Senate on Monday. Under the rules OF the
Venezuelan Congress- all bills and treaties dis
cussed alternate days for a period of six days.
| In order that members who were absent on the
| first day may have an opportunity Of taking part
| In the debates. while the Senate generally may
have the additional time In which TO consider and
| digest the matter under discussion The treaty
will thus reach vote on Saturday, March ~.
All the advces from Caracas Indicate It's APP
prevail by the Senate by practically unanimous
vote. This result is foreshadOwed by the press OF
| the country and by the utterances OF public men,
The presiding officer Of the Senate when Congress
| assembled fortnight ago. in his opening speech
of serious international question: solution which
| he regarded triumph OF right over might
The opposition papers in Caracas still criticse GER
| tain provisions of the treaty, but maintain that
| not thstanding these objections. 1t ought 10 re-
| ceive the approval Of the Senate