The times., 1897-05-10
sGRUGGs AND THE TREATY
Venezuela Government Agent Ar
rives in Washington.
BOUNDARY LINE QUESTION
Treaty Handsomely Engrossed and
Will Be Presented to Minister
Andrade and Ambassador Paunce-
fOte-H History of the Case So Far
as This Governments Concerned.

Col William M. Scruggs, the agent Of
at Caracas since March / 6. has returned
TO the city and is at the Strathmore Arms
He has brought with him the treaty be-
tween Venezuela and Great Britain for
tween TIE former country and British
Guiana
Briefly restated, the history of the case,
so far as this country is concerned, begins
with the message of President Cleveland,
in which he took heroic ground to the
effect that this country would investigate
the boundary line for itself, and IL the
Judgment was iii favor of Venezuela he
would twist the Anglo Saxon lions tail
all out of shape He then went shooting
to Quantico.
Venezuelan boundary commission was
appointed with Justice Brewer as cheir-
man. the ostcnsble object or this com
mission being to find the true line, and
then that this Government should fight for
1t If need be. Pending its Investigation
the agitation for a general treaty OF arbi-
tration between Great Britain and the
United States was renewed, and IL Is
said, that the yielding of the Venezuela
matter TO arbitration was a diplomatic
move TO secure the greater result OF arbi-
tration between England and this country.
A protocol was agreed upon between
Minister Andrade and Sir Julian Paunce-
fote as to the Anglo-V Venezuelan treaty,
and quite suddenly all interest ceased N
the Venezuelan boundary commission. The
important terms Of the treaty were that
all matters heretofore in dispute between
the two countries should be arbitrated
and that the final judgment should lie
made by tribunal of five members, two
to he selected by the Supreme Court of
the United States. two by the justices
of the high court of England the fifth, in
case of disagreement, to be designated by
King Oscar of weden.
The protocol was submitted to the Venc-
zuelan congress last winter, this congress
not having been consulted in the matter
at all. There was some disagreement; first
because the VenezueIans had perfect
in the boundary commission,
and second, because they thought they
had a right to name one OF the coumission-
ers. They finally accepted the protocol
with the amendment that they should be
selected Chief Justice Fuller, who vas
by Great Britain
King Oscar, there is reason TO believe,
has determined to name the fifth com
on account of criticisms made
OF him In the Senate. The fifth member
vii, now be chosen by the four present
and in case they can't agree,
which is one of the probabilities, there
sion, and Venezuela appears to he very
anxious that 1T he not dissolved
The treaty, whose terms have been here
tofore published in full BY The Times, mas
been handsomely engrossed, and will he
presented in due form What remains to he
done is the exchange OF notifications by
ndrade and A AMBASSADOR Paunce-
fote. EacE country will then haze eight !
months to prepare it's case, three months
more to prepare the counter case or re-
plication, and then the commission viii |
meet at Paris to hear counsel
Col Scruggs will be the senior counsel !
for Venezuela, and there is reason to be- |
ieve that the leading assistant counsel |
will he Senator Morgan, as already stated |
in The Times. The commission will have |
three months to consider the matter before |
rendering its decision, which will he |
final AS stated, however, one OF the pos
'lble complications is that the commits
sion can neither agree on a fifth COM
missioner, nor on a decision, if they pro-
ceed without fifth wheel.
Col. Scruggs was asked last night when
the treaty was to be delivered to the min
ster and the ambassador He said that
sit would be done at the proper time, in
the proper way and at the proper place"
Further than this he would not specify
1t was said, however that Col Scruggs
paid his respects yesterday to Minister
Andrade. 1t is not unlikely that the
whatever they may be, VIII
take place today.
Col Scruggs has been the agent of the
-enezuelan government before the bound
ry commi ssion, and it is to his personal
Efforts that the contamination OF the
present mode of settlement is largely
lue. He had several consultations with
PRESIDENT Cleveland at Woodley, and the
roof ofhis great servceto the home go yern-
cent is to be had in its appointment of him |
II his present important and honorable
apacity.