The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-07-08
FRANCE AND BRAZIL
Their Strained Relations Over the
French Guiana Boundary.
A DISPUTE OF TWO CENTURIES.
A Question as to whether Our Government
Could, Under the Monroe Doctrine, In
terfere in y Controversy Between Two
RepuhlIes- u situation Critical.

terfere in II Controversy Between Two
Republics ~ situation Critical.
WASHINGTON, July S.-The strained re-
lations between France and Brazil over
the French Guiana boundary appear to be-
come more complicated daily. The sub
ject is analogous to the British Venezue-
Ian trouble, in which the United States
has taken a hand, n in the opinion of
officials here the French controversy with
Brazil is rapidly assuming an aggravated
aspect, which may again call for the at
tention of the United States, as the Mon
roe doctrine applies to one no less than to
the other. Armed conflict has occurred in
the disputed territory between French
soldier and Brazilians. The French gov
eminent has demanded redress, and the
Brazilian congress has passed a resolu-
ton. couChed in sharp language, calling
for an explanation from France A cable
report from Brazil states that the govern
ment regards the subject as so menacing
that a strict censorship has been estab-
lished on all information regarding it.
The armed conflict has merely brought
to a crisis the long contention over the
French Guiana boundary. Both countries
claim a large tract of territory extending
north from the Amazon river, and equal
in extent to what is usually designated on
the map as French Guiana. AS each
country regards the occupation of this dis
puted territory as unwarranted, the fault
for the recent conflict cannot be placed.
In one respect the disputed territory
presents a more picturesque aspect than
that which is at issue in Venezuela.
French Guiana is used by France as a con
vict colony for the deportation of the
worst classes from the French prisons. AS
a result the population is "a strange mix
ture of French, ATabians, Malasians,
Greeks and the riff raft of Paris. One of
the most noted convicts Sent there of late
is Captain Dreyfus, of the French army,
whose trial for selling army secrets to the
Germans was the sensation of the day. He
was convicted of treason, his sword was
publicly broken, and he was sent for life
to the convict colony at Guiana.
When convicts are discharged they usu-
ally settle in the locality, and as a result
the territory now in dispute is peopled by
the, adventures and e~x-conviots from the
penal colonies. They are a desperate and
lawless class. A few years ago one Of
these adventurers, a Frenchman named
Gross, attempted to set up an independent
country. He established a capital, and
called his vernme Independent
Il ~ u NAO6o IAAO =
powers and sought TO be recognized as a
ruler. He conferred numerous medals
and decorations on distinguished men in
order to secure their favor. Brazil was
the first to take steps against Gross, and
a military expedition swept away him and
his mock government. But this same
class of adventures continue to occupy
the disputed territory.
The boundary dispute has run through
two centuries, n has the distinction of
being an article in two famous treaties
Utrecht and Amiens. Brazil was orig
inally a Portuguese colony, and Portugal
insisted that it extended up to the French
Guiana boundary now shown on the maps.
France claimed that her territory ran
down to the Amazon. In the treaty of
Utretcht the river Vincet- Pinzon was
: fixed as a boundary. Portugal then
r claimed hat this river was the northerly
< stream now marking the boundary, while
r France claimed that it was the stream
near the Amazon, so that the treaty left
I the dispute as far open as ever.
. During the Napoleanic wars England
and Portugal united in occupying French
Guiana. In the the treaty of Amiens,
France surrendered her claims to the land
down to the Amazon. Brazil then sue
ceeded to the rights of Portugal. A com
mission met about 1870 to settle the boun-
Diary. but it did not succeed. Since then
the dispute has continued, and two years
: ago another commission was formed. Now,
: however, both sides appear to be tired of
delay, and both are ~intrenohing them
selves in the territory, Each side has
S it's forts and military stations. The re-
4 cent policy of France has been toward
t colonial aggression, and this has led to a
determined position In occupying the land
down to the Amazon. Since the recent
armed conflict French soldiers have
L crossed the boundary and permanently es-
7 tablished themselves in the disputed ter
!, ritory, with the purpose, it is believed, Of
holding it by force.
In referring to the French Guiana trou-
d BILE, a prominent member of the diplo-
matte corps said that an interesting ques-
ton might arise as to whether the Mon
roe doctrine applied to a European repub-
lie, like France, as IL did to a monarchy,
for one of the original purposes of its
o enunciation by President Monroe was to-
ward limiting the extension of monarch
ial institutions on the western continents.
Since then, however, France has become
IN ! -.-,.H1E,