New-York tribune., 1909-01-16
NAY GO TO HAGUE
SETTLEMENT WITH YEN
EZUEIl4 NEAR.
Mr. Buchanan and President Comes
Dra1cing Up Protocol for Arbt-
tration of Disputed Claims.

Washington, Jan. 15-After years Of patient
waiting on the part OF the United States there
is a prospect for the settlement by method
satisfactory to this country OF the disputed
claims with Venezuela whose refusal TO arbi-
trate them last spring resulted in the king
of friendly relations between the two countries
To-day the State Department announced that
W I. Buchanan, the special commissioner VINO
has been in Venezuela for several weeks neso-
tiating with President Gomez, had reported that
he had reached the basis Of an agreement for
their settlement and that protocol was now
being drawn UP for signature PresumptNeS
the cases will go 70 the international court OF
arbitration at The Hague. but q positive state
ment 10 this effect will not be made by the
State Department
It is probable that Mr.. Buchansns negotia-
tions will result also in reaching understand
ing with Venezuela for general arbitration
treaty between the two countries for the settle
ment of disputes arising in the future. His
work on the protocol was begun several days
age, and he has been in communication with
the State Department frequently regarding GER
tain of its features
The officials OF the department view with ex-
trerne satisfaction the result Of Mr.. Buchanan 8
work He went to Venezuela when the action
OF Hollands war vessels in Selling Venezuelan
coast guard ships was proving a SERIOUS matter
TO that country. and when il expressed through
the Brazilian Minister at Caracas a desire 10
resume friendly relations with the United states.
The successful outcome OF the negotia tions
and the signing of the protocol will result IN
the formal resumption of diplomatic relations
with Venezuela and ". ". Russell. who was
American Minister there when the relations
were broken Off will. unless present plans are
changed. return 10 his post.
With the completion Of Mr.. Buchanan's work
the American war vessels in Venezuelan waters
sent there for friendly purposes. will be with
drawn unless the Gomez government desires
one or more of them to remain to suppress any
disorders. Numerous attempts have been made
by the American government TO obtain the set
tlement of the disputed claims by a method sat
isfactory to it, in which this government
felt that the case would be given a absolutely
fair and impartial adjudication. Years ago
Secretary Hay had gone far to lay down
what at the time regarded almost as an
ultimatum. Since then repeated efforts have
been made by Secretary Root TO have the cases
arbtrated. but without success. the Venezuelan
government giving the subject scant consider
alton.
The claims over which the two countries have
been in dispute are the following:
That OF A. J. Jaurett, who was expelled In
1904; the Ornoco Corporation, which claims
large concessions, covering iron mines, asphalt
privileges and hardwood timber land the Orr
noco Steamship Company. which claims exclu-
sive rights of navigation on branches Of the
Orinoco River; the New York and Bermudez
Asphalt Company. claims based on the right OF
the company 10 take asphalt from La Felcidad
Lake. and the, United States and Venezuelan
Company. which declares II has been deprived
Of the right to mine asphalt and build rail-
road.