The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-06-16

lard. Whenever the Dutch attempted 10
infringe the Muenster treaty, which pro-
hiblt "a them from navigating 20 ana
trading with the spanish colonies, Spain
invariably opposed them with armed
force.
..The Dutch themselves did not consider
that they were legitimate owners on the
north side OF the colonies or larger
portion OF territory than the Essequipo,
for these shrewd traders included 10
other IN their cession TO England.
Thus, up 20 1914. the tssequibO river
was tacitly acknowledged by Great Bri-
tain TO be the boundary between the
Spanish and Dutch possessions, and as
no conquest by Great Britain, or no
treaty or cession TO her has taken place
since that time. Venezuela naturally
claims that this is still the limiting line
Of the British possessions.
Notwithstanding. Great Britain has
since that time steadily encrcached upon
the territory OF Venezuela.
In 1871 The British government engi-
neer Schomburgk, made surveys IN Ven
ezuela, Guiana, and planted posts ana
other marks Of dominion even as FAR as
Barima which IL the key of the great
Boca de- NaviOs, the principal entrance
and outlet OF the OrinocO.
Public opinion in Venezuela became
greatly excited. and after repeated re-
monstrancs By the Venezuelan Minister,
the British Government; consented ID
their removal, at the same time declar-
ing that they were only for convenience
and reference, and not at all as sign OF
empire.
URGING 4 SETTLEMENT.
Since this occurrence Venezuela has
constantly urged upon Great Britain the
necessity Of a settlement Of this question.
IN 1914 the PlenipOtentiary OF the ke-
public. after many fruitless EFFORTS, unaH3
succeeded In opening negotiations Tor
settlement. re based his claims upon
conventional right, history ana the au-
thority OF geographical maps many or
which had been published IN England Dy
Englishmen. lie proposed the h-sseiuioo
I'm reply. Lord Aberdeen proposed the
Morocco leaving. as he declared, the
free ownership of the OrinocO 10 Nene-
zuela. Venezuela did not accept a I-"t
rightful territory. lying between the ksse-
quiDO ana the Morocco England does
not seem 10 have attempted TO 1nsniy
this claim. In 1870. a runor gained ere
dence probably not without excuse, lhdt
the British were about ID aieZe NenezuV-
Ian Griaua. The English Charge q AHalFs
in Caracas ratly denied the truth OF
this rumOr. ana declared that MS Gov
eminent had no intention or desire 10 en-
croach upon e-dlsputed territory, anu
that they would not sanction or permit
such encroachmcnL He requested ana
obtained a ike declaration from Nene-
zuela How wcil Great Britaia kept TINS
agreement We shall presently ses.
IEllNG I NlN r'Hf-aTs
"Veuezuela again pcrsistently urged a
-e-tlenent I'm 1910. but received no reply
tiil ISL when Lord Granville presented a
new lire starting on the sea coast al a
nolnt ~ miles east or the right Oanh OF
! The Barima lie stated that he thus salts
| NED me reasonable pretcntions OF Nene-
| zuela and secured TO her the complete
/ dominion OF the Orinoco. The republic
/ refused 10 accept this line also since
| il was less advantageous tnan that pro-
posed By Lord Aberdeen. or course, Ing
| land could advance no good reason 10 sup
port her additional claim. Negotiations
/ were again opened III 49,, "neh Gen.
/ Blanco obtained the written promise o,
/ her Naiesty's Government 70 submit an
| questions in dispute 10 arbitration Tins
J OF course. included the boundary. But
| before the convention was signed, a
| change OF ministry took place, ana Lora
| arauVille's successor refused 20 Keep tne
| promises made 10 Venezuela. We are NOT
| informed. however. that he broke the gov
/ arnmental promises 10 more powerful ma
| lions RE asserted that Great Britain
| could not submit &c arbitration questions
! NJ llnirs Tic seemed 20 forget or conve.
| S.a.~tv overiooked the fact that sire had
| .uhr,itted such questions between herself
| srd the United States 10 arbitration IN
| 1877 and 1871 IN the latter case as>her
| own repeated request
"Venezuela justly found ground ior
COMPLAINT n fhia Inconsistent assertion