The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1895-12-27
ESGLAND's SLIM CASE.
Tho Basis OF Her Claims Against vene-

The Basis OF Her Claims Against Vene-
zuela.
Washington, Dec 17.-In brief the con-
troversy that has led TO unpleasant rela-
tons with England is as follows:
Venezuela disputes the claim of British
Guiana to any territory west of the Essi-
quibo rivera stream running north from
the great watershed near the equator and
emptying into the Caribbean sea. The
Schomburgk line is in an irregular north
and south direction, including about 5000
miles of territory.
1t is the tract in regard TO which Lord
Salisbury declines arbitration. Still west
Of the Schomburgk line is a tract of about
the same extent claimed by Great Britain,
the title TO which the British premier adj
mits Is somewhat doubtful and may DO
open to arbitration. This statement shows
the basis of the $50, 600 claim for damages
against Venezuela.
The Urini, or, as IL is variously called.
Yurunari. country is located a consider
able distance west of the Schomburgk
line. within the territory in regard 10
which the British would not reject arb!
tration. II appears that some members
of the British colonial police force enter
this territory from time to time and ara
stationed at various points Venezuelan
troops are also in the country in small
numbers. In November 1894, Sergeant
Behrens and another member of the
colonial police named Baker encountered
near Urini river a squad of Venezuelan
soldiers and were arrested. They were
Immediately released and personal apollo
gies were made. which they refused to ac-
cept. They reported the case to the Guiana
authorities and report was made by
them to the British government.
Great Britain Is not on speaking terms
with Venezuela, owing to the boundary
dispute, but the German minister 20 Vene-
zuela is in charge of such British inter-
ests as shall require attention. When the
report OF the arrest of the Guiana police
inspectors was received in London ths
British foreign minister formulated HIS
claim for damages and sent IL to the Ger
man government at Berlin to be trans
mitted to the German minister in Vene-
zuela. This circuitous method of doing
business accounts for the delay in the re-
ceipt of the claim by Venezuela. Its re-
lection appears TO have been prompt and
decisive.
IL Venezuela had admitted the claim,
even If the amount had not been enor-
nous. 1t would have been an admission
that the territory In dispute belonged TO
Great Britain and that the men had a
right TO be in the place where they were
arrested. But Venezuela claims that they
were mere trespassers. The whole ques-
ton of the title TO the territory was IN
Volved.
Inc amount OF the claim LOT damages,
even IL the claim were just in principle.
Is outrageous. Some months ago three or
four Americans in Guatemala were IL
legally arrested and held in custody
twelve days. The outrage jed to claim
for damages which was settled by Guate-
mala for $500 in the case of each man ar
rested, or S25 day for his lost time His
feelings were soothed by an apology The
Guiana policemen were not detained an
hour by the Venezuelan soldiers and the
apology was made on the spot. They had
no claim for lost time, as their wages
were not interrupted. The immense mulct
demanded by Great Britain, even IL there
had been just grounds for the claim, was
outrageous ana absurd.