Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-09
AID FROM UNCLE SAM
Asked for by Venezuela, to Settle
the Boundary Dispute
BETWEEN IT AND GREAT BRITAIN.
Blaine Takes q Hand With Salisbury in
the Role of Mediator.
THE CORRESPONDENCE ON THE SUBJECT

Just been puDllSneu, Is StaUemenG OF tne
efforts made by the Government of the
United States to secure an amicable and fail
adjustment of the boundary dispute between
Venezuela and Great Britain. February H.
1890, Mr.. Paraza, the Venezuelan Minister
represented to Secretary Blaine that the
British Government had forcibly taken pos
session of part of Venezuelan Guinea and
begged the Intervention of the United
States. In reply, Secretary Blaine, May g.
instructed Minister Lincoln, at London, as
follows:
Blaine's Instructions to Lincoln.
"Mr. Lincoln is instructed to use his good
Offices with Lord Salisbury to bring about
the resumption of diplomatic intercourse
between Great Britain and Venezuela as a
preliminary step toward the settlement of
the boundary dispute by arbitration. The
joint proposals of Great Britain and the
just been brought about, would seem to
make the present time propftious for
submitting this question to an international
arbitration. He is requested to propose to
Lord Salisbury, with view to an accommo-
dation. that informal conference be had in
Washington or in London of representatives
of the three powers. In such conference
the position of the United States is one
solely of impartial friendship toward both
litigants."
Minister Lincoln stated that Lord Sails
was uOuDClCl OF Jne StaDlllUy Oh the
Venezuelan Government. He would con-
suit the Colonial Office. From his tone it
seemed that the idea of arbitration in some
form, to put an end to the boundary dispute,
was quite agreeable to him.
Further he wrote to Mr.. Lincoln as fol-
lows:
The Reply of Salisbury.
"SIR-Her Majesty's Government are very
sensible of the friendly feelings which have
prompted this offer on the part of the United
States Government. They are, however, at
the present moment in communication with
the Venezuelan Minister in Paris, who has
been authorized to express the desire of his
Government for the renewal of diplomatic
relations and to discuss the conditions on
which they may be effected.
"The rupture of relations was, as your
Government is aware, the act of Venezeula,
and Her Majesty's Government had un-
doubtedly reason to complain of the manner
in which it was effected. But they are quite
willing to put this part of the question
aside, and their only desire is that the re-
newal of friendly intercourse should be &C
companied by arrangements for the settle
ment of the several questions at issue. 1
have stated to Senator Urbaneja the terms
on which Her Majesty's Government con-
and am now awaiting the reply of the Vene-
zuelan Government. to whom he has doubt
less communicated my proposals.
Want a Little More Light.
'Her Majesty's Government would wish
to have the opportunity of examining that
reply and ascertaining the prospect it would
afford of an adjustment of existing differ
ences before considering the expediency of
having recourse to the good offices of third
party. 1 may mention that, in so far as re-
CARDS the frontier between British Guinea
and Venezuela, l have informed Senior Ur-
baneja of the willingness of her Majesty's
Government to abandon certain portions of
the claim which they believe themselves en-
titled in strict right, to make and to submit
other portions to arbitration, reserving only
that territory as to which they believe their
rights admit of no reasonable doubt.
'1f this offer is met by the Venezuelan
Government in corresponding spirit there
should be no insuperable difficulty in arriv-
ing at a solution. But public opinion is un-
fortunately much excited on the subject in
Venezuela and the facts Of the case are
strangely misunderstood. SALISBURY"
Then on June 25, 1890, Mr.. Lincoln pre-
sented to Lord Salisbury Senior Pulido. the
special Venezuelan Envoy)who was court
eously received, and there the matter ended.