New-York tribune., 1895-12-18

not entirely on ex-parte statements. emanatng
from Venezuela, and gives an erroneous view of
many material facts
Lord Salisbury denies that the boundary question
as stated by Mr.. Olney is of ancient origin. 1t did
not begin he says, until after 1910. Great Britains
title he says 10 the territory In dispute was
derived by conquest from the Dutch and military
occupation Of Dutch settlements in 1896. AS to the
assertion that Venezuela acquired the territory she
claims by assumption of all the territory OF
SPAIN Lord Salisbury contends that this is an ac-
acknowledgement of her non-ownership of the territory
now claimed by Great Britain, Spain had not
serted ownership OF 1t.
Continuing he says: The fundamental principle
underlying the Venezuelan argument is, in fact.
that. inasmuch as Spain originally entitled of
right TO the whole of the American continent any
territory on that continent which she cannot be
shown TO have acknowledged in positive and spe-
ciic terms to have passed to another Power can
only have been acquired by wrongful usurpation,
and If situated to the north Of the Amazon and
OF the Atlantic must necessarily belong to Vene-
uela as her self-constuted inheritor in those re-
gons 1t may reasonably be asked whether Mr..
Olney would consent to refer TO the arbitration Of
another Power pretensions raised by the Govern
ment of Mexico such a foundation to large tracts
of territory which had long been comprised in the
The marking Of the Schomburgk line is reviewed at
length. and this lire. Lord Salisbury states. in
StoTy ot IL Fact I Srea redcton of tb hop
dary claimed by Great Britain as matter of right.
"a
speedy and friendly arrangement with weaker
Power with whom Great Britain was at the time,
and desired TO remain. in cordial relations"
Lord Salisbury, in closing the review, summarizes
In the statement that it will be seen that Great
the extent OF the territory which 1t entitled
to claim as a matter OF right 1t comprised the
basin OF the Essequibo River and its tributaries
a "a portion OF that claim. however" says Lord
altogether; in regard 10 another portion they have
been and continue to be perfectly ready 10 submit
question : e.
CARDS the rest that which lies within the so-cal.ed
schomburgk line, they do consider that the
within that line they have on various occasions Of
matter OF friendship and conc.iation, and for the
purpose OF securing an amicable- settlement of the
thus offered diminished in extent and have now been
withdrawn, this has been the necessary consequence
settlements, which Her Majesty's Government can
not in justice to the inhabitants offer to surrender
is amply borne by the researches in the National
archives of Holland and Spain, which have furnished
further ard more convincing evidence in support Of
the British claims"
Lord Salisbury intimates that when the internal
the British Government may be enabled 10 adopt
a more moderate and conciliatory course in regard
that the negotiations OF 1890 1881 and 1898 may be re-
sumed with better success He disclaims any in
tention OF Great Britain TO territory that
S does n0t belong TO her nd states her desire to be
In conclusion: he says, referring to the British
Government: They have. on the contrary. repeat
ton the conflicting claims OF Great Britain and Ven
ezuea to large tracts Of territory. which, from their
auriferous nature, known TO be Of almost untold
value. But thew cannot consent 10 entertain 10
submit TO arbitration of another Power OF foreign
5urists, however eminent. claims based on the
travagan pretensons Of Spanish officials in the last
century. and involving the transfer OF large numbers
Of British subjects who have for many years
5oyed the setted rule Of British colony. TO a
nation OF different and language whose poiiti-
cal system is subject 20 frequent disturbance and
whose institutions yet too often afford very mad
equate protection 10 life and property No Issue of
this description has ever been involved in the ques
tions which Great Britain and the United States
have consented to submit to arbitration, and Her
Maiesty's Government are convinced that in similar