The Portland daily press., 1888-04-19
THE SPIRIT or BOLIVAR AROUSED.
Venezuela Ready to Resist the Claims
of Great Britain.
Something About the Cost OF the
:Warship Maine.
Democrats Not Anxious TO Hear the
Mills Bill Examined.

out to Venezuela's consuls by DR.. ID. B. Ur-
0ancia, the Minister Of Foreign Affairs at
Caracus, shows that the government has de-
termined not to submit to the recent inva-
sions Of its soil by persons claiming to act
under the authority Of British Guiana. DR..
Urbancia says that he has received inquiries
whether or not the want Of strength on the
part Of this republic will prevent us from
repulsing English usurpations Of our terri
tory" He accordingly declares, on the part
of the government, that there are no weak
people for the defence, and all can endure the
difficulty Of defending with arms the unjust
pretensions which are not ashamed TO treat
a weaker power disgraeefully, instead Of
with equity and Justice" The Venezuelan
government proposes to defend its rights
and territory with all the resources Of the
and the object Of the present elrcu-
lar is to make that determination widely
known.
An armed conflict between Great Britain
aud Venezuela would appear like that OF
giant with pigmy; but the spirit OF Bolivar
seems to be astir again, and apart from the
matter Of sentiment in not submitting tamely
to agressiOn, the material interests involved
are OF much consequence. The disputed ter
ritory Is the mining region on the banks OF
the Yuruari. This river Is tributary OF the
Cuyuni, which itself flows into the Essequi-
bo. The extreme Venezuelan claim Is that
the last named river marks the proper west
ern boundary Of British Guiana; but Great
Britain has for many years held that the en-
tire watershed Of the Essequibo belonged TO
her. The line drawn by Sir Robert Schom-
burg, nearly half a century ago, on this the
ory, extended northerly from the Brazilian
boundary, at distances Of from soto 100 miles
west OF the EssequibO, until 1t reached the
mouth Of the Orinoco, 50 as to give British
Guiana strong foothold there at Point Ba-
rima and some miles westward. But the gold
mines near the head waters Of the Yuruari
are hundred milest west even Of the dispu-
ted SehOmburg line, hitherto the furthest
claim Of Great Britain. They are far within
the territory ofsVenezusla, around her towns
Of Caratal, Callao, and Guacipati III the
present claims Of Great Britain should be
established, II Is more than probable that
British Guiana would annex everything as far
west as the river Caroni, and south OF the
Imataca Mountains. Perhaps she would even
90 north Of this range to he slope between
It and the Orinoco, In which case she would
have complete sovereignty Of the right bank
Of the Orinoco up TO Los Tablas, 200 miles
from the sea.
The Cruiser Maine.
Secretary Whitney has written a letter OF
instructions to Rear Admiral Gherardi. COM
manding the New York navy yard, in regard
to the projected construction at that yard Of
an armored cruiser to be known as the
Maine The limit Of cost Of construction
including engines and machinery and ex-
Guiding ornaments, is S2,5O0,oO0. The Secre-
tary says that the construction Of this vessel
win be the first important new work under
taken at navy yard in period Of fifteen
years, and that the degree Of success obtain
ed by the department and by the navy yard
in producing creditable vessel at reason
able cost and within a reasonable period.
will be Judged Of by the public. and by Con-
gress. The Secretary says that the COM
mandant Of the yard Is TO all intents and pur-
poses the representative OF the department.
In the supervision OF the work, and that he
Is expected TO make all practicable efforts
to secure an economical and energetic per-
formance thereof, and final result that will
be in all respects creditable both to the yard
and the department" He adds: ''rhe ag-
gregate OF the estimates oil the several
bureaus for the construction Of the vessel,
in accordance with the respective plans. Is
within the limit fixed by law. 1t seems
possible to gauge with reasonable accuracy
the expense Of carrying out the plans, and u
may be assumed that the actual cost OF con
struction under the several heads OF expendi--
lures ought not .to.exceed the estimates"
The Tariff Debate.
The Democratic caucus tonight, after
brief discussion, which was entirely harmo-
nious, passed resolutions requesting the
Democratic members of the ways and means
committee to confer with the Republican
members Of the committee for the purpose
Of limiting the debate on the tariff bill. The
resolutions were seconded by Mr.. Randall.
Minister Phelps for Chief Justice.
The rumor which prevailed at the capital
yesterday to the effect that Minister Phelps
would be appointed chief justice was renewed
this morning Democratic Senators refer TO
the report as being about as nearly correctas
a matter not an established fact can be. AT
noon today the rumOr was current in the
Senate that Minister Pbelps's appointment
would reach that body late this afternoon.i
To Be Adversely Reported.
The Senate committee on foreign relations
this morning decided by party vote to re-
port the fisheries treaty adversely. 1t Is un-
derstood that this action was taken on mo-
tion by Senator Frye that Senator Edmunds,
chairman Of the subcommittee on fisheries,
be instructed to report the treaty back to the
Senate, with the opinion Of the committee
that it ought not to be ratified, and that he
be requested to secure as prompt action as
possible upon 1t.
French Canadians to celebrate.
A delegation of French-Canadians, con-
sisting Of l.. p. Lucier Of Nashua, N. H.,
and Hon. l.. j. Martel Of Lewiston, called
on the President today, ana invited him to
attend the national demonstration in honor
Of the naturalization Of French Canadians
in this country, at Nashua, N. H., June 2S
The President said he could not promise, but
would take the matter under consideration.
The Pension List.
The following Maine pensions were grant,
ed today:
ORIGINAL, INVALID.
John +. Leathers, Monroe.
Ambrose b. Morton, Philips.
Llewellyn A. Rollins, PhipSburg.
Henry w. Ptman, Sebec.
Willard Knight, Lee,
INCREASE.
John w. Richards, Belfast.
Leroy Farrer, West Gloucester.
Henry B. Miller, Rrewer.
Charles Burgess, East Liyermore Mlls, s,flt0m
George w Appleby, Palmyra.
OrsOn ID. Jaquith, Gardiner.
Joseph Philbrick, Greenfield.
REISSUE.
Enoch r. Preston, Dennysyille.
ORIGINAL, WIDOWS, ETC.
Fila NJ xNfdovv of Geor0e l. Blafr Whifeneld