The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-03
AMERICAS TRUE 'TONE."

faiys<-d concessions from Venezuela On the
dlss.ned territory that an effort 20 take
possession viii be regarded as trespass
rnszs, force the question To settlement.
TIE yepezue.arss have in the past had
much 20 be grateful 20 England for. but
the deterrai nation of that country to ex-
tend her dominion over part OF Venezuela
proves that she had a selfish object in
view. When Venezuela was fighting for
Independence English money and English
help were freely given The venezuelans
remember thar England strongly pleaded
ar Verona the cause OF South America
against the Holy Alliance. And they also
remember that the famous Doctrine Of
America for the Americans. which az
fixed lasting seal TO the political ernar'-
cipation OF the Spanish colonies, was an
susnced by President Monroe, mot only
with the approval of the British minister
OF foreign affairs. but at his earnest and
ofuen-repeated solicitations
Nevertheless for fifty years Venezuela
mas had 20 keep up constant fight for
the maintenance OF her terrhory against
English incursions.
The history Of the trouble and the nego-
tiations for the settlement are now very
interesting. THE republic of Venezuela
inherited from Spain all the territories
formally known as Captaincy General of
Venezuela. Guiana was province, and
was bounded by the Atlantic ocean on tie
east. and by the Amazon river on the
south. a part OF this territory had been
invaded By the Dutch during their war of
independence. Their rights over Tho
newly acquired possessions along the
northern coast Of South america were
recognized by Spain on the 30th OF Janu-
AIRY, 1913 by the treaty OF Munster In
the extradition treaty signed at Aran-
juez on June q. 1921. by Spain and Hol-
land. the islands of St Eustacipe and
Curacao. and the colonies named Esse-
quibo. Demerara. Berbice and Surdnam,
lying east of Venezuela were considered
to be Dutch possessions.
Essequibo. Demerara and Berbice were
transferred TO Great Britain through TIE
treaty OF London. August 49, 1914. Eng
Land has no other possessions in Guiana
than those conferred by virtue OF this
treaty. so that in 1911. the year of vene-
zuelan independence, the Essequibo river
was the boundary between Dutch Guiana
and veuezuela- The Essequibo limit was
furthermore maintained by the govern
ment OF Colombia in 1s22, and has been
established in the constitution of Vene-
zuela up TO the present time.
In 1914 an English commissioner, Eng4-
nesr Schomhu-gk. planted posts ard other
marks OF dominion IN Harima and ANA
euro FAR west OF the Essequlbo river.
The government protested and the Brit
fsh government ordered the promt re
moval OF the marks. which, IL was stated,
were not intended TO indicate possession.
Thirty years afterward the minister OF
Venezuela In London. Senior Fortique,
succeeded IN opening negotiations with
England. after three years preliminar9es.
and proposed the Essequibo river rs the
division line between Venezuela and
British Guiana Lord Aberdeen. then
minister for foreign affairs. proposed the
Morocco. a river west of the Essequibo,
burt the government did not accept the
latter line, as It deprived the republic of
the great tract OF land lying between
these two rivers. In 1850. 10 contradict
ruuor that Great Britain intended 10
claim jurisdiction over Venezuelan
Guiana. the British charge d'affaires 10
Venezuela stated that his government
had no intention to occupy the region dis
puted that they would neither order
such occupation nor sanction 1t. Twenty
six years later tire settlement of the qu-s-
tion was again urged by Venezuela, and
In February. 1871. Or. I. NJ. Rojas. min
lister resident In London. reopened the no
gotiattons commanced by Senior Fortique
lie states that the proposition Offered by
Lord Aberdeen had not been accepted be-
cause OF certain conditions connected
with It which interfered with the SOW
ereignty Of the country. lie also ex-
pressed the conciliatory sentiments Of
his government: but the consideration
OF the matter was postponed by the Brit
iSh cabinet until after the arrival OF the
governor OF British GsIiana, who was ex-
pected In L.onson about Marca. but y was
not until 1850 that negotia tions wer re-
newcd. whrn Minister Rojas informed
Lord Salisbury that Venezuela. In order
10 come TO a satisfactory agreement.
would abandon the position OF strict
right and adop; frontier 20 the CON
yemtence Of both parties. such as the
Morocco river. indicated by Lord Aber-
deem IN 1874 as "a boundary on the coast.
The British government replied. Febru-
airy =. ISL. that *he Morocco line could
no longer ~ admitted hrt that they
would consider any conventional Hne
starting from point on the coasi south OF
the former. Or. Eons suggested. as a
proof % the friendly wishes ~ Venezuela.
tho drawing ~ bnc commencing on the
coast one mile noT<h Of the yno}sth IF me
Moro,s,o Lord Granville rejected the new
boundary. and prrsosea another which ne
Described IN a conddern! nj raenora ndurl.
but this WAS found utterly Unacceptable
hy tho Venezuelan government. In 1873
Gen Gurman Blanoo IVES apPosnse,f min
sister - Circat Britain for thu settlerme1.
- 52.is and various other matters. While
uegogi ating- a ncw trcSSy OF csuauerce. 20
o'rasne4i from t5e British government a
written promise 70 submit 10 azbltra, ion
al Disputes arising between the Two
countries. the Guiana boundary question
included \ change Ia the ministry took
place shortly as,erwsrt. and Lord Rose
berry. Tsor>t Cra0vk.fe's slccaS<o-. refused