The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-19
Determined 10 Steal the Great
Basin of the 0rinoco.
SHE REFUSES TO ARBITRaTE.
Willing 90 Submit a Small Natter.
but Not the Vital Point.
Gresham and Bayard Treated With
Contempt by the English Foreign
Secretary. Who seems to Have De-
cIded To Make British Guiana stretch
All Over Its Neighbors.

Washington City. June 12-No progress
n the negotiations between the United
States and Great Britain touching the sub
mission 20 arbitration OF the Venezuelan
boundary dispute can ne recorded since
the reply made by the British foreign Of
fee 10 Ambassador Bayard's representa-
tions last January. to which reference was
made in parliament yesterday hy Sir Ed
win Grey, parliamentary secretary fer for
eign affairs. Mr.. Rayard went as far as
his Instructions from Secretary Gresham
would permit in urging the British govern
ment TO arbitrate the differences between
itself and Venezuela. but the British an
swer politely but firmly set the case back
just whore IL had stood for the last five
years, which amounted 10 a declnation 10
yield to Mr.. Rayard's represent tations. II
offered to arbitrate the title west of the
modified Schomburgk line. tslt would ad-
init no question OF the British title TO the
vast area lying east of that line. Mr..
Gresham had had this very claim in mind
when he wrote 70 Mr.. Rayard as follows:
II cannot believe her maiesty's govern
ment viii maintain that the validity OF
claims long IN dispute between the two
countries shall be conceded as a condition
precedent TO the arbitration OF the qucs-
ton that Venezuela is entitled TO other
territory which was never in doubt our
interest in the question has repeatedly
been shown by our friendly efforts 10 fur
ther a settlement alike honorable 10 both
countries. and the president is pleased to
know that Venezuela will soon renew her
efforts 10 bring about such an adjustment.
1t is not doubted that you will discreetly
exert your influence in favor Of some plan
of honorable settlement"
Now, from the answer returned 10 Mr..
Bayard by the British government, II ap-
pears that it ignored all that Secretary
Gresham had TO say touching the claim of
Venezuela to other tracts lying closer 10
British Guiana; that II was not content
even to stand on the original Schomburgk
line as the whole of the British line. bat
would submit 70 arbitration only the
stretch of territory running down to the
mouth of the Orinoco and embracing the
rich mining country Of the Yuruyai as far
as Guacipati. which il had included in its
claims without notice, and suddenly, by
what Secretary Gresham described as
comprehensive sweep" made in 1887,
against which Mr. Bayard himself. then
secretary of state protested In formal IN
structions sent 20 United States Minister
Phelps. So the matter rests Just where II
did five years ago and II is doubtful If any
thing further will be attempted by the
state department in the absence Of some
Instructions from congress at its next ses-
sion.
sir Edward Grey stated in parliament
Yesterday that Ambassador BaytTd had
been informed that Great Britain would
consent TO the arbitration of the Nene-
zueIan question under certain conditions.
The desire of Venezuela is to arbitrate
the entire boundary question, and the re
quest of Mr.. Bayard in behalf OF the
United States was in this direction. But
the answer of Great Britain. as given in
the Associated Press dispatches at the
time was that no arbitration was admiss-
able as regards certain territory which
Great Britain asserts indefeaSilby hers,
though she offered 10 arbitrate concern
ing certain territory 10 which apparently
Great Britain regarded her title as less
clear The practical effect Of this was 20
reject the only proposition the United
States had presented, \ similar answer
was given hy Great Britain TO Venezuela
five years ago. but was rejected as an in
direct refusal 10 arbitTate.