Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1895-04-18
WHAT GRESHAM TRIED no DO.


/
Washinton, April 1.-THE only refer
ence In the published correspondence
Of the state department for 1894 touch
ing the Venezuela boundary dispute Il
found in two letters addressed by Sec
bassador Bayard at London. One
dated July 49,, last, and the other bear
| ing the date Of December1, last, are
found. The first being as follows:
During your incumbency Of the Of.
| fee of secretary Of state you became
acquainted with long-pendlng contro-
versy between Great Britain and Vene-
zuela concerning the boundary between
that republic and British Gulna.
1.-THE recourse to arbitration proposed
In 1881, having been supported by your
predecessors, was In turn advocated by
you in a spirit of friendly regard for
the two nations involved. In the mean,
time successive advances of British
settlers in the region admitted In dus-
pute were followed by similar advances
of British colonial administration, con-
testing and supplanting Venezuelan
claims to exercise authority therein.
Toward the end of 1887 the British
territorial claim, which had as it would
seem been silently increased by some
took another comprehensive sweep west
ward to embrace the rich mining dis
trict Of Yuruari as far as Guacipati,
and this called forth your instructions
to Mr.. Phelps of February II, 1888, re-
specting the widening pretensions of
British Guiana to possess territory
over which Venezuelan Jurisdiction had
never therefore been disputed
Since then repeated efforts have
been made by Venezuela as a directly
interested party, and by the United
States as the impartial friend of both
countries, to bring about a resumption
OF diplomatic relations which had been
suspended in consequence of the dis
pute now under consideration. The
proposition to resume such relations
has, however been intimately bound
up with the ultimate question Of arbi-
tration. Until recently Venezuela has
insisted upon joining to the agreement
to arbitrate, stipulation for the res
toration OF the status quo of 1850, pend
ing the proposed arbitration. but il
seems this condition is now abandon
ed. On the other hand Great Britain
has on several occasions demanded as
preliminary to an understanding
touching arbitration, that Venezuela
shall definitely abandon all claim to a
large part Of the territory in dispute
and limit the eventual arbitration to
that portion only to which Great Brit
ain has more recently laid claim"
Secretary Gresham goes on to give at
length a history of the various at
temptts that have been made by the
United States and by Venezuela her.
self, to bring about a settlement by
arbitration of this dispute, bringing 1t
down to October Is, 1893, where 1t now
rests, when he says:
THE president Is inspired by a de-
sire for a peaceable and honorable ad-
justment of the existing difficulties be-
tween an American state and q power
full transatlantic nation and would be
glad to see the re-establishment of such
relations between them as
would promote that end.
II can discern but two equitable
solutions to the present controversy.
One is the arbltral determination of
the rights of the disputants as the re-
spective successor to the historical
rights of Holland and Spain over the
region in question. The other Is to
create new boundary line in accord
ance with the dictates of mutual ex-
pedlency and consideration.
THE two governments having been
40 far unable to agree on a conven-
Lional line the consistent and and con-
spicuous advocacy by he United Safes
and England of the principle of arbitra-
ton, and their recourse thereto in the
settlement of important questions aris-
ing beween them, nude such mode Of
adjustment especially appropriate in
The present lnstnace, and this govern
nent will gladly do what 1t can to
furnish a determination in that sense
. with these consldera tons l commit
he matter to your hands, leaving 1t
20 you to avail yourself Of any con-
1enlent opportunity to advance the adj
ustment of the dispute in question"
In his letter Of last December Secre- |
AIRY Gresham thus addresses Mr.. Bay
ard:
I'm conference with Senior Andrade
Turing your visit home, he doubteless
the earnest desire of his gov
for a speedy settlement of the
question by arbitration.
II cannot believe her majesty's gov
eminent will maintain that the validity
If their claim to territory long in dis
Dute metween two countries shall be
conceded as condition precendent of
he arbitration OF the question whether
Venezuela sentitled to other territory
which until a very recent period was
never in doubt. Our interest in the |
question has repeatedly been shown by
,ur friendly efforts to enter into set |
Element alike honorable to both coun-
-ries and the president is pleased to |
Snow that Venezuela is about to renew
her efforts to bring about such an ad- |
ustment.
ut Is not doubted that you will dis
,reetly exert your influence in favor OF |
some plan OF honorable settlement"