Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-22
NO HOLIDAY RECESS.
Game Between President and the House
Republican Majority.
THE VENEZUELAN CONTROVERSY.
Mr.. swanson Gives Its History from
the observation-disclosures Assign
mcnts-Luck of Nirgininns and
North CnroIininns-Thc Texas.


recess has been abandoncd, as a result OF
the political and financial game which
is being played with such energy by the
President and the Republican majority in
Congress
When Mr. Cleveland returned from the
North Carolina ducking-grounds he came
prepared for business. and no one
realizes this more than Mr.. Speaker Reed.
All nieht last night the Republican lead
ers held numerous conferences over the
Presidents financial message and the re-
cess. The Republicans wanted 10 90
home Reed. particularly wished TO os-
cape the heart-burnngs and chickering's
which he knew the announcement OF his
committees would create in his own politi-
cal family. There was no escape. how
ever. in the face of the Presidents APP
peal for financial relief in such a crisis
as was produced by the Venezuelan mes
sage and the prompt action of the House
in support of it.
While the Republicans have not fOrmu-
lated or perhaps conceived any financial
plan Of relief, their leaders know that 10
adjourn for the recess would be nothing
short Of dessrtion in the face of the
enemy; besides leaving Cleveland master
of the situation. SO humble and almost
abject I'm its attitude towards the Presi-
dent has the Republican majority be-
come, with the heretofore despOtic. but
now gentle, Reed at its head, that IT
looks as If Mr.. Cleveland had assumed
the leadership OF the dominant party in
Congress. Nobody believes that fnan-
cial measure can be agreed upon any
sooner by the continued session through
the holidays. but Reeds presidential as
prations would be blasted ana the
chances Of his party ruined If they
Jared 10 disobcy what Is now designated
he Presidents order 10 remain in
session"
Mr. Cleveland has fixed an responsibility
% the Republicans. and In saying this
lc has fixed 10 on Mr.. Reed. What
yer financial measures the latter pro-
ioses Will be carried out. and railroaded
Trough the House. and then comes the
gg with the silver men In the Senate.
I'm every aspect Of the case the Prest-
ant has the whip-hand. and If the Re
ublicans do not speedily afford the
eeded relief he VIII act himself and
ne party platform for the campaign
1896 viii be practically framed.
VENEZUELAN CONTROVERSY.
Just at this time. when excitement is at
ever-heat concerning the Venezuelan
1undary question and the maintenance
the Monroe doctrine by the United
states Government is practically re-
1lved upon by the administration, Com
ress. and the people. an explanation
nd history of the controversy Will be-
imely and interesting Congres sman
'wansOn. OF Virginia, has given the SUBJ
.ect great deal Of study and considcra-
Ion He has dived into the archives 40
81 q al Isr
formation az hand concerning the pending
dispute. To-day ! asked for his views on
The subject, and in reuly be- said:
The controversy between Great Britain
and Nenezue.a rs one Of long standing.
The claims Of Venezuela are derived from
spain. When she asserted her indie
pendenco. in 1911. she established as her
boundaries the Essequibo river. When
Spain acknowledged IL she gave her the
same boundaries Thus the Spanish rights
descended TO Venezuela.
British Guinea originally belonged 10
Holland. by treaty. in 1Sl4 Holland con-
veyed her interest to Britain. Thus the
controversy depends upon what were the
rights Of Holland and Spain.
TREATY OF 1913
Their rights are dependent entirely upon
q treaty entered into In l6iS between Hol-
land and Spain. by this treaty IL was
agreed upon between Holland and Spain
that each should remain In possession, and
enjoy effectively the land countries. and
commerce which they then had in pos
session IN America. No boundaries no
limits. were defined in the treaty. Thus
the question in issue depends upon 'what
| possessions and what commerce" Spain
and Holland held in 1915.
Venezuela claims that Spain had by
right of discovery. which all nations re-
cognize as 'prma facie" right the right
20 all parts of South America, and that
! having this "prima facie" right. she and
all those claiming under her could only
be deprived of territory which Holland
and those claiming under her could clearly
| prove they were in possession Of IN 1913.
/ Thus NeneZue.a claims that the burden
of proof is upon Britain In this contro-
versy Britain claims that while Spain
/ did have the "urima facie" right. bv
| discovery yet she agreed to waive all
these claims by the treaty of 1913, and 10
/ put her title TO lands upon the same
| grounds as those of Holand-namey
/ the fact Of possession. Thus, TO get title
/ TO the land in dispute. IL is equally as
incumbent upon Venezuela as 10 is upon
/ Britain TO prove possession in 16iS
Venezuela insists that Britain can only
claim such as Holland was In actual
possession of in 1913 Britain insists
that the treaty does not mean actual pos
session. but could include much more.
Thus. she insists that as Holland, in
1921. chartered a body of merchants under
the title of the West India Company,
and gave them exclusive privilege TO
trade with America, and 10 found colonies
with limits TO the west bank Of the orr
rocO river, this company must be con-
sidored i'm 1913. the time Of the treaty.
as i'm possession Of all the land that
| their charter covered. under the we'll
known principle OF law that a person
who enters land under utle-deed IS
considered In possession not only Of the
/ land be actually occupies, but all
that his title-deed calls for.
CLAIM OF SALISBURY.
This was the foundation Tor the ex-
/ travagant claim OF Salisbury. in 1879.
when he refused arbitration and made
claim 10 q vast portion Of Venezuelan
territory which had never before been
considered in dispute.
Britain further claims That the treaty
Of 1913. giving TO each the possession
Of the commerce then enjoyed, necessari-
~ meant the possession OF the territory
where the commerce existed. Under this
construction she would claim the on
tire territory in dispute. where the Dutch
traded
II can be readily seen that this presents
a cae where England, unGer pretence OF
right. can make unbounded aggressions
/ and despon a weaker power Of her terri
tory.
The prize for which she is contending
Is of very great value. IL includes the
richest gold-helds In the world. II m
| Guides the control by her Of the mouth
! 80 the Orinoco river. and, I'm consequence
10 northern portion OF South America.
/ a country of incredible richness and fer
INV, she owns the island Of Trinidad.
bl't5' -..1. OH tho other outlets