The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-16
ARBITRATORS IN SESSION.
VENEZUELAN COMMISSION BEGINs
ITS WORK IN PARIS.
Welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs
Delcasse with an Appropriate Refer
ence to the Peace Conference x- Presi-
dent Harrison Counsel for Venezuela.

Welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs
Deloasse with an Appropriate Refer
ence to the Peace -Presi-
dent Harrison Counsel for Venezuela.
Special cable D,tsdtch 10 THE srr.
PARIS. June 15.-The first regular meeting
Of the Venezuelan Arbitration Commission took
place to-day in the apartments Of the Foreign
Office. where the Behring Sea Tribunal
and the Spanish American Peace Com
missioners met. The proceedings were
public and considerable interest was man
Tested Many ladies' were present. The five
arbitrators sat in armchairs on raised plat
form. The chairs were upholstered in red and
gold Baron Russell OF Killowen. Lord Chief
Justice OF England and Chief Justice Melville
W. Fuller OF the United States Supreme Court
sat respectively Mt the right and left OF Prof
Martens OF Russia, the umpire.
The court entered in formal procession. ac-
companied by NJ Delcasse. Minister OF Foreign
Affairs, who in Il graceful speech. welcomed
the Commissioners and thanked them for
selecting Paris rs the place Of meeting. He
said. among other things:
Under the Presidency OF Prof. Martens.
whose authority is universal, your work can
only have a satisfactory issue for the interests
IN dispute. The issue will also be happy for
the cause Of humanity for once more it conse-
crates. by practical example. the noble idea
which fell from an illustrious throne and
rapidly made way to the hearts and con sciences
of the nations"
Prof Martens thanked NJ. Delcasse for his
welcome and his reference to the noble scheme
OF the speakers illustrous master 1t was. he
said. solemn moment and u significant fact
that while the peace conference was sitting at
The Hague two nations should meet to arbi-
trate an international difficulty
IL
speech NJ. DelcassG Withdrew. and the business
Of the tribunal began. 1t was announced that
owing to Prof. Martens's duties at Tho Hague
the court would az present meet only twice a
week. After The Hague conference was ended
1t would meet four times week
Sir Richard Webster then announced that n
agreement had been made to proceed thus:
The first speech would be In behalf Of Great
Britain, then two speeches for Venezuela. and
after that one each for Great Britain and Vene-
zuela. and then another one for Great Britain
and one for Venezuela. who will have the final
word.
Sir Richard after a complimentary alusion
to the previous appearance Of Baron Russell
and himself In the Behring Sea arbitration. be-
gan to outline the British case In an intricate
and detailed statement. He contended that the
arbitration treaty permitted Great Britain's
account in the contention. 1t was suggested
In December. 1893. that nothing subsequent 10
1914 could be taken into account. England
could not assent to that.
Ex-President BENJAMIN Harrison interposed
and assented generally to Sir Richards state
ments. but he said he desired the tribunal tC
examine the whole diplomatic correspondence
SO 1t could see on what ground the position was
based.
Sir Richard agreed to this. but firmly ad.
hered to his former contention. He then pro.
ceeded to oppose Venezuela's claim to a Ger
tain unit of Guiana bounded by the OrinocC
and Amazon rivers. He declared that If such q
claim was admitted it would Dust Brazil
France. Holland and Great Britain from al.
most the whole territory.
The tribunal then adjourned Sir Richard
Websters speech is likely to OCCUPY severa
days.
Prof Martens will travel to and from The
Hague twice week at present. The next sit
ting will probably be on June II.