Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-14

Ex-secretary Bayard Talks About . vsxes

Ex-secretary Bayard Talks Absut vsxed
In On interview with a reporter yesterday
ct Wilmington, Del, regarding the Venezuelan
question ex-Secretary Of State 7. +. Baysrd
had the following to say:
The boundaries Of Venezuela where they sp-
preach those Of the British Guinea have been
for . long time q vexed question between
Venezuela and the government Of Great Britain,
or rather private companies OF British subjects
engaged in gold mining In what b generally
known - the Orinco region. From time
to time maps have been delinested VI the sup
posed boundaries Of Venezuelan territory and
Jurisdiction. Serious complaints were made
BY the Venezuelan representatives In Wsshing-
ton OF the encroachmeat Of British Jurisdiction
and Of claims to navigate the Orinoco river to
such an extent ~ would penetrate the interior
Of Venezuela and destroy the independent
authority Of that country over q vast region OF
valuable commerce which that country claimed
n her own exclusively.
II was never disposed to believe, after
pretty full examination Of the subject. that
there was any design upon the part OF Great
Britain TO expand her jurisdiction - nation
over the territory In dispute. bat believe and
I think true history Of the case will sho~ that
concessions obtained by British subjects a.
private enterprises from the government 81
Venezuela, and consequently the Investment Of
o great deal OF privste British capital in the
development OF those rich mining regions.
After these investments were made and the
property became valuable these private owners
found themselves not only without that pro-
lection Of established Law which alone gives
property its security, but that they were sub
jected from time TO time 10 the cxacting and
tyranicsl demands of the Venezuelan officials.
Therefore 1t was that they claimed British pro-
lection against spoliation by Venezuelan off,
cials and Nere dehrous of seeing the British
Jurisdiction extended over that territory in
which their mining operations were conducted.
1T Was only another instance Of the indie
pendence Of institution OF property upon just
laws honestly administered. Ths region in re-
is remote, thiniy settled aud unhealthy, with
very few incidents Of civilized government.
The miners prefer British laws to Venezuelan
authority and have encouraged undoubtedly
the expansion Of the British boundaries rs TO
give them and their property security under
British laws
Tho United States continues to proi1er their
good Offices 10 both governments, Venezuelan
aud Great Britain; but the conduct Of Guzmnn
Blanco In abruptly breaking of diplomatic re-
lations with Great Britain prevented Lord
Salisbury from entering into negotiations until
oipIomutlc intercourec had been restored. IL was
expsctsd-in fact quite u enly charged-that
Guzman BlancO. the president OF Venezuela,
was creating difficulty In order to compel Ger
tain English mining companies to sell or give
him their stock, but it is certain that his
actions stood in the way Of IN amicable adjust
ment Of the boundary question.
"Mr. Blaines last note 81 May 2, 1880, IL the
final vindication Of the subject. excepting a
note from Mr.. Adee Of July 0. 1880. to the same
general effect No volume Of foreign relations
CORES pondence has been publiahed for 1891, as
has been the custom heretofore.
As 10 attitude of the United States was to
be one Of impartial friendship toward beth
governments the prereut concentration OF
naval forces IL not explained BY anything in
the pnbli-hed correspondence thus far: il the
more than doubtful claim Of jurisdiction by
the United States within the territorial waters
of another government. which was apparently
implied rather than asserted in the Barrundia
case, is now to be repeated remains to be seen.
"Certain it is. the United States would
promptly enforce its own jurisdiction over all
persons charged with violation OF its laws
who we're found within it, territory. whether Of
iand Or water.
If we deny this to other nations or 10 some
and not to others our own position will he very
difficult to maintain when We seek to execute
our domestic laws within our own jurikdic-
ton"