The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-07-07
MAY lead TO SERIOUS TROUBLE.

An the advices from Washington in
reference to the boundary controversy
between Great Britain and Venezuela
suggest the possibility that 1t may ulti-
mately Involve the United States in SER
ious trouble with England. The recent
concession OF territory by the Venezuelan
government to an American company,
which territory is said to be a part of
that claimed by Great Britain, Ut is ex-
pected viii call out a protest from the
British government, as It appears the
same concession did ten years ago. This
circumstance introduces a new complica-
Hion and one which may make a direct ap-
peal to our government for the protection
Of American interests involved. It is the
understanding that the American COM
pany to which the concession of terri
tory has been made will at once proceed
TO occupy It. Undoubtedly It will meet
with resistance. Then there win be an
appeal to the United States government,
a reference Of the matter to the British
government and diplomatic controversy,
the outcome Of which would probably de-
pend very much upon the attitude of the
United States. Insistance on our part
upon the right OF the American company
to take possession Of the conceded terri
tory, which is said to be very valuable,
would undoubtedly be most firmly op-
posed by the British government, which
obviously could not allow this concession
without endangering It's claim to other
territory.
The introduction of this complication
looks very much as IL 1t had been delib-
erately planned for the purpose of more
fully drawing the United States into the
boundary controversy and putting this
country In position where it would be
forced to take a decisive stand against
British claims. The circumstances very
strongly suggest that in making this con-
cession the Venezuelan authorities felt
that they are playing game which will
put to the strongest test the disposition
OF this government to interfere with what
Venezuela asserts to be the unjust and |
unwarranted claims OF Great Britain. It |
is hardly to be supposed that this view
OF the matter VIII escape the attention
Of the authorities at washington, SO |
that It is possible that Venezuela and the
American company may find that our
government Is not willing to assume any |
responsibility for the carrying out of |
this scheme. Certainly before giving It
recognition the government would require
to be fully assured that the concession
was made in perfect good faith and 1t is
not altogether clear that this assurance
could be given.
The government OF the United States
has made very earnest endeavor to in
duce the British government to submit
the whole boundary controversy to arbi-
tration. This the latter has declined to
do, being willingto arbitrate only as to
certain territory to which Its claim is
clearly questionable. This government
has, therefore, done all that can reason
ably be expected Of it in behalf OF Venez-
uela, and that country must settle the
question as best II can, looking TO the
United States for such support as may
be necessary to prevent the further
spoliation Of Venezuelan territory I'm
questionably the sympathy OF the Amer
lean people is very strongly with the
southern republic. There is not the least
doubt OF the injustice of the British en-
croachments upon ITS territory But the
case is not one which would justify the
United States in lneurring the risk Of
war with Grsat Britain.