Minister Russell to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Minister: Referring to a conversation on the subject, I have the honor to inform your excellency that the Department of State of the United States of America assents to Venezuela’s suggestion to modify article 10 of the protocol signed February 13, 1909, by fixing October 15 as the date on or before which the arbitrators must be named, and providing for a meeting at The Hague of the arbitrators so chosen, between January 5 and 15, 1910, to select a third; always provided that Venezuela will also agree to modify article 7 of the above-mentioned protocol by fixing January 1, 1910, as the date for the presentation of the case, and April 30, 1910, as the date for the presentation of the counter case; and to modify article 10 by fixing May 15, 1910, as the date for the meeting of the arbitral tribunal.
I am instructed to inform your excellency that the protocol of February 13, 1909, is approved by the Government of the United States of America, and is in effect in the United States, and that the President of the United States of America transmitted said protocol to the Senate for its information in a message dated April 20, 1909.
I take this occasion to renew to your excellency the assurance of my highest and most distinguished consideration.
To his excellency Gen. Juan Pietri,
Minister for Foreign Affairs.