The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-06-28
MAY BE TROUBLE.
Uncle Sam and the Brftish-venezuela
MISUNDERSTANDING Britishers.

Uncle Sam and the Brftish-venezueIa
MISUNDERSTANDING ritishers.
WASHINGTON, June-2 Congressman
Livingston of Georgia, author of the
resolution which passed the last con-
gress directing the president to urge
Great Britain to arbitrate the British
Venezuela question, returned to Wash
ington from an extended trip through
Venezuela, where he went to make a
personal inspection of the merits of
the controversy. He went as the
guest of the Venezuelan government
and was given an official reception
throughout his stay in that country.
He returned with fund of informa-
ton which promises to have bearing
on the action of the United States
in extending the@Monroe doctrine
to the British Venezuelan troubles.
He brings also important news con-
corning recent events in Venezuela,
including a rebellion in Valencia,
which was quickly suppressed by the
government, and which was not re-
ported outside of the country; also the
news that at recent meeting of the
ca binet the English concession for a
vast tract of the Orinoco country, in
Guiding the famous Bahia gold mines
and part of the territory claimed by
Great Britain, was revoked and new
concession granted to an American
company. The latter Immediately
sent its men to take possession of
the concession, and Representative
Livingston expects that if the British
occupants refuse to yield, the American
company will make a speedy represen-
tation to the authorities in Washing
ton. AS a result of Colonel Livingston's
trip he is convinced that the United
States will adopt a strong policy on
the British-Venzuelan question, per-
hapS through the executive branches
this summer, and certainly through
congress when it reassembles.
Colonel Livingston was asked as to
the results of his investigation of the
British claims.
Il found" said he, shat upon our
part information has been meager and
brought back many maps and docu-
ments which 1 hope will throw light
on the su bject. The British have made
no less than seven lines as their
boundary claim. The first four lines
were found not to include the gold
country and land commanding the
mouth of the Orinoco river. AS re-
suit the British have been pushing
their lines further inland, until they
now claim all the gold fields and the
lower OrinocO country. It is believed
beyond question that much of this
territory belongs to Venezuela, and in
any event it is only just that the sub
ject should be passed upon by an inn
partial commission of arbitration as
the United States has suggested"
''But, suppose Great Britain declines
to arbitraie, what will the United
States do?"
Congress will certainly take up the
question as soon as it reassembles, if
indeed the executive branch of the
government has not passed on it in a
very definite form by that time. l am
not informed as to what answer Great
Britain has given to the request of the
United States for arbitration, but it is
understood she will arbitrate a part.
but will not arbitrate as to certain ter
ritory which she claims is unquestion-
ablyshers.
Colonel Livingston was again asked
what would be the ultimate result if
Great Britain rejected all arbitration
and commissions.
Them said he, ''the United States
will protect the interests of it's citizens
in Venezuela. With the granting of
this concession there is definite some
thing which it is the duty of the gov
eminent to protect and ] have no doubt
the responsibility will be assumed by
the executive branch and by congress
with every requisite to secure a re-
spectful enforcement of the attitude of
the United StateS.''