Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-01-21
BUCHANAN FINDS
AGREEMENT EASY
AFTER YEARS OF WAITING, VEN
EzUELAN CLAIMS NEAR
SETTLEMENT.
SPECIAL COMMISSIONER AND
PRESIDENT GOMEZ REACH
COMMON GROUND.
PROTOCOL SOON TO BE SIGNED
AND WAR VESSELS
WITHDRAWN.

Washington, Jan. 1G.-After years Of
patient waiting on the part Of the
United States, there is a prospect for
the settlement, by method satisfac-
tory 10 this country, of the disputed
claims with Venezuela, the refusal to
arbitrate which resulted last spring
in the breaking of friendly relations
between The two countries.
Yesterday the state department an
nounced that Special Commissioner
buchanan, who has been in Venezuela
several weeks negotiating regarding
thcse cases, had reported that he had
reached basis of agreement for their
settlement and that a protocol TO that
effect IS now being drawn up for sig
nature. Presumably the case will go
10 the international court Of arbitra-
zion at The Hague, but a positive
statement to this effect has not been
made by the state department.
1t is probable that Buchanan's negO-
1iations viii result also in reaching an
understanding with Venezuela for a
general arbitration treaty between the
Two countries for the settlement of
disputes arising in the future.
Officials Of the department view
with extreme satisfaction the result of
Buchanans work He went to Vene-
zuela when the action of Hollands
war vessels in Selling the Venezuela
coast guard ships was proving a seri-
GUS matter to that country, and when
it expressed through the Brazilian
minister at Caracas desire 10 resume
friendly negotiations with the United
States Buchanan went to Venezuela
with full instructions as to the course
ne was to pursue. The successful
outcome Of the negotiations and the
signing Of a protocol will result in
the formal resumption Of diplomatic
relations with Venezuela, and w. w.
Russell, who was American minister
there when relations were broken off,
will unless present plans are changed
soon return to his post.
With the completion Of Buchanan's
work, the American war vessels in
Venezuelan waters, sent there for
friendly purposes, will be withdrawn
unless the Gomez government desires
one or more of them to remain to sup
press disorders.
Numerous attempts have been made
by the American government to obtain
settlement of the disputed claims
by method satisfactory to it, one in
which this government felt that the
cases would be given an absolutely
fair and impartial adjudication.
Years ago Secretary Hay had gone so
far as to lay down what at the time
was regarded as almost an ultimatum.
Since then repeated efforts have been
made by Secretary Root to have the
cases arbitrated but without success,
the Venezuelan government giving the
subject but sCant consideration.
The claims over which the two Coun-
1ries have been in dispute are:
That of A. J .Jaurett, who was eX-
PEELED in 1904; the OrinOco corporation
which claims have concessions, Gov
oriug iron mines, asphalt privileges
and hardwood concessions; the OrinO-
co Steamship company, which claims
exclusive rights Of navigation on
branches of the OrinOco river; the
New York and Bernudez Asphalt COM
pany, claims based on the right of
that company to take asphalt from
Ia FeIicidad lake, and the United
States and Venezuela company. which
declares taht it has been deprived of
the right to mine asphalt and build
railroad.