Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-19
BuChanan'S Mission Done,
Russell Ordered to Post

Special Commissioner Buchanan, having
satisfactorily accomplished his mission.
has been authorized to retWn to the
United States at his own convenience
w. w. Russell. the regular minister to
Venezuela, now In Washington. has been
ordered to return at once to his post at
Caracas.
The fleet of warships which accom-
panied Mr.. Buchanan to Venezuela is be-
ing dispersed. The flagship Maine with
Rear Admiral Arnold on board sailed
from La Guaira yesterday for Havana
by way of Guantanamo. The cruiser
Des Moines, now cruising between Will
lemstad and La Guaira has been ordered
10 return to her regular station in the
West Indies
The dispatch boat Dolphin. now at La
Guaira, has been placed at the disposal
of Mr.. Buchanan and will bring him back
to Washington.
yesterday that he would leave for Wash
ineton in a short time having practi-
cally completed the diplomatic negotia-
tonS with which he charged regard
ing the reconsideration of the asphalt
claims and other American claims against
Venezuela with. view To their ultimate
settlement by arbitration.
Buchanan's Plans for Return.
1t is expected that the protocol of
N-7' N-'A''AAt III I'iiS li!dlltI Will DS signed
by Mr. Buchanan and the Venezuelan
secretary of state in a day or two and
that Mr.. Buchanan will then start for
home.
The conduct of these negotiations with
PRESIDENT Gomez Is conceded by inter-
national lawyers to have been a formal
recognition Of the existing de facto gov
ernment of Venezuela. as well as a prac-
fical resumption of diplomatic RELATIONS
hef q I-nifa1 nd
Although Minister Russell was recalled
from Venezuela last spring because of
dissatisfaction with the course of Presi-
dent Castro. his commission as minister
10 Venezuela has never been Cancelled 50
that II was not necessary 10 reappoint
him. Mr.. Russell was popular with the
officials and people in Venezuela and will
undoubtedly receive cordial welcome ON
his return to Caracas.
The settlement of the matters in con-
troversy between the nited States and
Venezuela is the first striking develop
nent In NeneZuela's relations with for
cigh powers 10 follow the downfall of
tllrlanO Castro and the installation of
Juan Vicente Gomez as president of the
republic.
History of Negotiations.
As soon as Gomez was recognized as
President of Venezuela il was made
known To the State Department that he
lions between the United States and Ven
ezuela- ". l. Buchanan was appointed
special commissioner 10 represent the
United States In negotiations
HE started at once for Caracas on boa rd
the cruiser North Carolina and had been
at sea several days before the actual pur-
pose OF his going was divulged He
reached Caracas December % Negotia-
tions were at once opened
The settlement OF these questions will he
attended by the resumption of diplomatic
relations between the two governments
and W. w Russell probably will return
20 Caracas as minister.
The five claims which formed the basis
OF the present negotiations were those of
A. +. Jdurett. who was expelled from
Venezuela; the Orinoco Corporation, the
orinoco Steamship Company. the New
YORK and Bermudez Asphalt Company and
the United States and Venezuela Com
pdny.
1he amounts involved run nominally
INTO millions OF dollars. Former Presi-
dent Castro's refusal to arbitrate these
claims led 10 the breaking off of diplo-
matte relations wifi Venezuela