The herald., 1897-04-19
KING OSCAR
Will Not Be Called Upon
to Act
AN AGREEMENT Is REACHED
BY THE FOUR MEMBERS AL
READY SELECTED
AN AGREEMENT is REACHED
Baron Courcil, the Famous French
Jurist, Will Complete the Venezu-
elan Arbitration Commission

Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, April 1S.-The name
of Baron Courcil, the eminent French
jurist and diplomat, at present French
ambassador to Great Britain, probably
will be suggested as the fifth, or final,
arbitrator in the court of arbitration be-
tween Great Britain and Venezuela.
The treaty of arbitration recently rati-
fled by these two governments provided
that the fifth arbitrator shall be chosen
be the four designated to represent the
two countries, and in the event of their
inability to agree upon fifth, then King
Oscar of Norway and Sweden is to name
the final arbitrator.
There appears to be little doubt, how
ever, that the four arbitrators will reach
an agreement, and with this end in view,
semi official inquiries have been made
as to the availability of Baron Courcil.
His choice would add another notable
name to a court which promises to be
noted for the personnel of its members,
who thus far are Chief Justice Fuller
and Justice Brewster in behalf of Vene-
zuela, and Baron Herschel and Sir
Richard Penn Collins in behalf of Great
Britain The court will meet in Paris in
the summer of 1898. the preceding time
being required for the exchange of
pleadings. In the meantime, and within
three months of the exchange of ratifi-
cations, the final arbitrator must be
chosen. AS the treaty is ratified by both
governments, the formal exchange of
ratifications will follow at an early day,
either in Washington or in London, and
negotiations toward naming the fifth
arbitrator will Immediately follow, in
order that an agreement may be reached
within the three months prescribed.
Up to the time of his sudden death, a
few days ago, Mr.. James j. Storrow,
chief counsel for Venezuela, had made
careful inquiry as to the availability of
Baron Courcil as the fifth arbitrator.
The abilities of the French diplomat
were regarded as eminently fitting him
for the place. 1t was felt, however, that
as France had a boundary dispute with
Brazil involving the same points as the
Venezuelan British case, Baron Courcil
might have fixed convictions concern
ing the issue involved. Mr.. Storrow con-
ferred with the French embassy in
Washington, and the general conclusion
reached was that Baron Courcil could
have no prejudice by reason of the
Franco Brazilian boundary contest.
which also has been submitted to arbi-
tration by a treaty just signed.
The inquiries left little doubt that the
French diplomat would be suggested as
the fifth arbitrator.
Baron Courcil IS one OF the foremost
jurists of Europe, and as such was chos-
en- as president of the court of arbitra-
tion between the United States and
Great Britain on the Bering sea question
He came from one of the old royalist
families of the empire, but is sturdy
republican, and has taken front rank
among French leaders 1t was during
the strained condition of European af-
fairs year ago. requiring skillful dplo-
macy, that France availed herself of his
services as ambassador to Great Britain.
He speaks English fluently, which would
materially aid in court made up en-
tirely Of English-sp speaking arbitrators.