The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-03-17
MORE ARBITRATION
Claims Against yrneruela's Govern.
ment 70 he S'ttIcI.
4 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CASE,

Vessels OF rho Venezuelan Trans
porta,ion compsny, saiiing undet
the Flag nr The United states
We're seized bx Both Insurgents
and Government usslaials
WASHINGTON. March III. The tenate
committee o. foreign relations hrs or
dered d favorable report to bemade upon
the treaty to arbitrate the claim IL
the Venezuela Steam transportation
company against the government Of
Venezuela. There Is very interest
ing story behind this action, In the
year 1869 fhe Venezuela Transpor-
tation company was organized under
the laws Of the state Of New York to
operate line of steamers on the river
Orinocr and its branches in Venezuela
ana the United States If Columbia.
| Having in mind, however. the unfof-
4 tunate experience that had attended the
1 operation of previous lines on the inter
/ ior waters of Venezuela, the New York
transportation company declined to be
| gin its service until by special decree
I of the Venezuelan congress il was tus
/ thorized to sail its vessels under the h4g
/ of the United States.
Thereupon fleet Or four vessels was
fitted out and maintained on the river
4 until the year 1871, AT the time. the
Liberal party beng in power, the old
Spanish party, or the Blues, AS they
| were called, rose in rebellion and seized
two Of the vessels, tho Hero and the
Felnandino.
Vessels Seized by Both sides.
Mr.. j. b. De la Costa, then the legiti,
mate governor Of the state Of Guiana.
seized another one Of the vessels-the
Nutrias. A conflict ensued in which
the Nutrias was worsted by the vessels
seized by the revolutionists. and Gov
ernor De Iii Costa retired to the island
1t Trinidad with the vessel, presumably
in order TO refit. The agent Of the
transportation company on the island
insured her detention by the British man.
of-war Cherilb and she was returned Ia
her rightful owner. Afterwards, the
chief Of the national army seized the
San Fernandin0 and the Nutrias at tho
city of Oliver and held them.
A demand for their release and restii
tuition WAS made by Commander Potter,
Fof the United States ship Shawniut
which had been sent to Venezuela by
President Grant, and they were deliv.
erred to him in February, 1879. Thu
claim for damages on account OF these
seizures and detentions, both by III.
legitimate government of Venezuels
and the revolutionists, was promptly
made by Minister Pile under instrnc
tfOns from Secretary Fish, but nothinf
has ever been received.
Venezuela evaded, in all of the cor
respondence which has ensued upon Thu
subject, her liability, until in the Fifty
first congress, n joint resolution VIA
passed authorizing the president to taks
such measures as IN his Judgment ma,
be necessary to promptly obtain Id
demnity from the Venezuelan govern
ment for losses. injuries and damages.
Il This action was promptly communi
Gated 10 the Venezuelan government
which shortly thereafter entered intl
negotiations suggested by Presiden
Harrison for the settlement Of the CLAIM
by arbitration.
The claim i'm question, which il Isl
500. 900 and interest for twenty wears.
\ about 81 100000. will be presented to i
board Of three arbitrator, who shall
hold their sessions in the city OF Wash,
ington. Each government Is to appoiai
one member and they are to selecs Tie
third. Failing to agree upon the THU
member, the king of Belgium sllg.l
i name him.