The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-26

long to British subjects. The Vcnezuelans
assert that these two vessels were engaged
in contraband trade--that is 10 saw. in
smuggling--and all the facts in the case
warrant very much more than a slight
suspicion that their captors were right in
OBTAINING the schooncrs at least until the
shippers in command OF them could clear
their skirtso the grave and well supported
charge that they were indeed contraband-
istas, II was clearly case, as lawyers
would say, "for Jury to decides" and
when Great Britain bluntly insisted on be-
ing Unidentified without any discussion
of the subject the Venezuelan au-
thorities requested that sufficient de-
lay be granted TO try the case
in the courts, guaranteeing a fair
trial-indecd, they expressed themselves,
1t is said, willing TO submit the whole mat
ter to the arbitration OF disinterested
parties. This, on the basis proposed by
Venezuela, England promptly refused, fol-
lowing up her refusal by anchoring two
men-of-war off the town Of Ia Guayra (the
seaport OF Caracas), and boldly announc-
ing that IL the sum Of $4,000 was not paid
in seven days Venezuela would have cause
TO bitterly regret the delay. After vainly
attempting 20 persuade the English adj
miral 10 withdraw his ultimatum so that
they would not be obliged to pay the
money under duress promising meanwhile
that the total sum would be forthcoming
the government at Caracas paid under pro-
test the sum claimed, thus settling the
Affair OF the Henrietta and her consort, and
the English gun-boats sailed away from La
Guayra.
Now for the much-vexcd and little-un-
derstood boundary question, which will
be better understood after consulting the
above official map. England bases her
principal claims 10 the territory she now
seeks TO occupy on the terms OF a treaty
with Holland, made more than century
ago, whereby Great Britain acquired her
rights to the colony now known as British
Guiana, which is bounded on the west by
the Essequibo river Her right TO the ter
ritory east OF the Essequibo has never
been Ia dispute. She has, however, from
time TO time claimed that certain OF the
territory west Of that nver belonged toher,
although just how Ear west her jurisdiction
extended she never definitely stated until
after Venezuela had succeeded in freeing
herself from Spanish rule in 1921. Spain
admitted the right Of her ancient colonies
TO self-government in 1880, aud in 1910
Sir Robert schomburgk visited British
Guiana. schomburgk was German by
birth, but he was sent 70 Guiana by the
London Geographical society, and was
afterward, in lSi7, British consul at San
Domingo, 80 that II can DO claimed for
him that he was countenanced in his work
by the British government lie surveyed
and somewhat imperfecily marked out n
boundary line TO the westward OF the Esse-
quibo river. which for time limited the
claim OF England TO territory then admit
ted,y under the jurisdiction Of the Venc-
zuclan government.
In 1912 this line was repudiatcd by the
British government, which then made an
offer TO accept the Moroca river rs the
western boundary; this was decided by
Venezuela, but under Gladstone's govern
ment, in 1851, England secured an outlet
10 the sea through the orinoco river.
In 1870 valuable mines were discovered
at Callao, pronounced Calya-o). The
stock OF the company owning the mines
was foated In England. Until 1875 no
dividends wec paid, but since that time
this wonderful bonanza has paid its lucky
owners such profits that, for an original
share ofthe mine which cost but 1000 boil
wares 475, 600 bolivarcs have been offered
|
at 20S.OO0 bolivares. AMI each original
shareholder has received $4,000 bolivarcs
per annum on each 600 invested In Cal
lao.
Tho discovery Of gold and copper in this
district has caused ilow OF English and
German emigration into IL, and now Eng
land rcnews, not her prctcnsions 10 the
territory Ms lar as 10 the line Of Schom-
burgk or 10 the Moroca river, but claims
all the country M far west Rs the Rio Ca
roni, Territory Us large as, n not larger
than, the State Of New York. Tho Vone-
zuelans base their claims on the following
facts among others When they drove the
| Spaniards out OF their territory the mother
| country was In undsturbcd possession Of
the Yuruari district, and by their treaties
| Of peace with Spain they fell heirs 10 all
| the country then under the jurisdiction Of
the SpaniaIis. They also allcgc that forty
years ago the British minister in Caracas
made Recommendation 90 the Venezuelan
government that II should build light
house at Barima Point lscc niapl In order
10 rcndsr safer navigation ut the mouths
Of the Orinoco river. The Nenczne-
lans claim that by making this recon.
incubation England recognized the right
81 Venezuela 20 jurisdiction over Barima
Point, and therefore 10 the territory 10 the
west Of Il, a claim that certainly has nj
least some color Of rcasonablcnees. I'm.
doubleday England desires 10 get control
Of the district, the riches Of which even
Sir Walter Raleigh romanccs about In a
wonderful way, saying that the gold that
might be taken from Us mines would load
the ships Of an armada. A few years ago
the Venezuelan government notified navi'
gators that they intended 10 build light.
house on Barima Point, as recommended
by the British minister before mentioned.
The British government then informed
the authorities at Caracas, that while Ven.
czucla might build the lighthouse II she
saw ilt, II would not be- regarded by Eng
land ~ nm admission Of The right Of the
vonczuclans TO claim Jurisdiction over tic
territory 10 the west Of that point. After
much negotiating and correspondence
Gukman Blanco, then president OF Nenc'
xncia, ordered ST. John, then minister e
Caracas, 10 leave the country.
lately the government OF Venezuela ex
pressed desire 10 leave the matter 10 ar
bitraiion, aud suggested that the arbitrator
DO the United States or commissioners ap
pointed 20 meet nj Washington. LORI
Salisbury met this proposition by prompt
~ N