Meanwhile parallel negotiations on the Venezuela question were proceeding. On May 22 Lord Salisbury addressed a long despatch to Sir Julian Pauncefote, making definite proposals for a settlement by arbitration. The following extract contains the gist of Lord Sulisbury's scheme A Commission to be created by agreement between Great Britain and the United States, consisting of four members—namely, two British subjects and two citizens of the United States. The above Commission to investigate and to report upon the facts which affect the rights of the United Netherlands and of Spain of respectively, at the date ofthe acquisition ritish Guiana by Great Britain, This Commission will only examine into questions of fact, without reference to the inferences that may be founded on them, but the finding of a majority of the Commis. sion upon those questions shall be binding upon both Governments.
Upon the report of the above Commission being issued, the two Governments of Great Britain and Venezuela respectively shalt endeavour to agree to a boundary line upon the basis of such report. Failing agreement the report, and every other matter concern ing this controversy on which eitherGovernment desire to insist, shall be submitted to a tribunal of three, one nominated by Great Britain, the other by Venezuela, and the third by the two so nominated; which tribunal shall fix the boundary line upon the basis of such report, and the line so fixed shall be binding upon Great Britain
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.