The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-04-04
.aNONE OF OUR BUSINESS.
Great Britain's Reply to Ambas-
4 sadOr's Bayard's Arguments.
BRITISH RIGHTS IN VENEZUELA.
That Government Declares That the Con-
a troversy Is Ono I'm which Our Govern
msnt II Not Interested-The Negotin-
tions May Drag Along for Months.

That Government Declares That the Con-
= troversy Is Ono I'm which Our Govern
4 msnt Ii Not Interested-The Negotia-
tions May Drag Along for Months.
y WASHINGTON, April 4.-There is reason
30 believe that the British government has
given our ambassador, Mr., Buyard, to un-
derstand, In response to his representa-
ltions in the Venezuelan boundary matter,
and his suggestion that it be submitted to
arbitration, that 1t must persist in regard
Ing the subject as one In which only Great
Britain and Venezuela are concerned. OF
course the idea was set out very diplomat
tcally and oourteously, SO as to avoid CIV
fng offonse, as far as possible, while still
making 1t plain that the United States
could not be regarded as having any proper
Interest in the matter.
So MS it stands the British government
still insists upon It's absolute right to oc
cupy all of the territory to the eastward OF
tho Sohomberg line, while protesting
Willingness to submit to arbitration Its
claims to the lands lying west of that line.
! This was the offer made to Venezuela
years ago, and 1t has not been modified in
any respect since, notwithstanding Mr..
Bayard's efforts
II has been intimated that the United
States might acquire right to intervene
In behalf of Venezuela by declaring pro-
tectorate over that country, with the as
sent of its people, and behind this sugges-
zion is at least one OF the great European
powers, who would be glad to have Its re-
lations with the disturbed countries of
South and Central America placed on
stable basis, so that 1t might look to some
thoroughly responsible highly civilized
mi 10 Inc ha N mr. nf
Grade and prevent frequent revolutions.
But to oonoede the necessity for such q
protectorate as q prerequisite to interfer-
ing to prevent the acquisition of Ameri-
San territory by European power would
amount to O renunciation of the Monroe
foctrine by the United States, and this
cannot be contemplated by the admins
tration. :
There are indications that the British
foreign office officials are willing to dis
suss this feature of the case with Mr.. Bay
ord at longth, and so the negotiations may
Hrag along for many months unless a col
kision occurs between the British and Ven
Rzuelan forces in the disputed territory or
yhe new Minnesota company forces an Is
bue by beginning operations under the
large concessions 1t has obtained from
Venezuela of lands in that section.
1t Is apparent here that the progress of
Mr. Bayard's efforts are being watched
with the most intense interest by all of the
diplomatic representatives OF the South
and Central American countries stationed
sA Washington, for they realize that the
Issue may be of vital Importance to all of
them In the future. They had expected
that the administration would be called
hpon to assume definite position in re-
Apect to the extent it would permit the
European powers to interfere In the affairs
nf the American republics in tho recent
San Dominican affair, but the United
States was enabled to avoid the issue, ow-
ing to concessions on the part Of France
tesulting in an amicnble adjustment of
her differences with the Dominicans.
r One of these diplomatic representatives,
IN speaking upon this subject, remarked
Shat the majority Of the southern repub-
hics were staggering under foreign debts
pnd were unable longer to meet their OBJ
ngations. They could not meet the in
kerest on these debts, much less could they
pay of the principal, owing to the terrible
commercial depression. Some of these
eountries had defaulted on their interest
pn foreign debts and in others, notably
Costa Rica, 1t was now proposed to rcpudt-
Ate at least half OF the debt. The question
Ronfronting these countries is whether the
United States will stand by and permit
the creditor nations Of Europe to collect
these debts by force
Meanwhile to strengthen their claims
for protection upon the United States,
Mere is in progress among the smaller and
weaker republics movement to entangle
kheir interests with our own, so as to mako
II a matter OF doep concern to our people
bhould any European power attack them.
The first Indication of this policy was seen
IN the claim of San Domingo to exemption
FROM the French demand upon her reve-
nues, on the ground that these had all
been farmed out to an American corpora.
Sion, which would bo ruined by compliance
with the French demand Then there is
kho recent concession made TO an Amer
hcan corporation by Venezuela, 20 force
She United States into the issue between
per and Great Britain by motives of direct
kelf interest and in other countries there
has been adopted policy of farming out
20 syndicates certain privileges, such as
the right to import tobacco and opium,
and the collection of customs duties.