The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-17
Brifain's Efforts TO Grab Territory No.
ted, and Suggestions Made ms to
Adjustment of the Trouble.
INCOME TAX INSTRUCTIONS
COMMISSIONER MILLER.S ORDERS TO
REVENUE COLLECTORS.
Returns Not Up to Expectations-Mr.
DDS of Gathering Crop Statistics.

ence in the published correspondence of the
State Department for 1894 touching the
Venezuelan boundary dispute was found
in two letters addressed by Secretary
Gresham to United States ambassador
Bay ard, at London, one dated July IL. last,
and the other bearing date of Dec /, last.
The first begins as follows:
During your incumbency of the office
OF Secretary of state YOU became ac-
qualnted with a long pending controversy
corning the boundary between that repub-
lie and British Guiana. The recourse to
been supported by your predecessors. was
In turn advocated by you In spirit of
friendly regard for the two nations involved.
In the meantime, successive advances OF
British settlers in the region admittedly in
dispute were followed by similar advances
of British colonial administration, contest
ing and supplanring Venezuelan claims to
exercise authority there n.
Toward the end of 1857 the British terri
toriaI claim which had, as 1t would seem,
bee silently increased by some 50. 900 square
miles between 1885 and 1886, took another
comprehensive sweep westward, to embrace
i the rich mining district of the Yuruafi, s
far as Guacipati; and this called forth your
/ instructions to Mr.. Phelps OF Feb II, 1888,
respecting the widening pretensions or
British Guiana to possess territory over
which Venezuelan jurisdiction had never
heretofore been disputed. Since then re-
peated efforts have been made by Venezuela
as directly interested party, and ., by the ne
both countries, to bring about a resumption
of diplomatic relations, which had been
now under consideration. The proposition
to resume such relations has, however, been
ql estioE of arbitration. Until recently
Venezuela has insisted on joining to the
agreement 10 arbitrate a stipulation for
the restoration of the status quo of 1850,
pending the proposed arbitration; but 1t
seems that this condition Is now abandoned.
On the other hand, Great Britain has on
several occasions demanded. as a prelinn-
AIRY to understanding touching arbitra-
ton, that Venezuela shall definitely aban-
don all claim to large part Of the terri,
tory in dispute, and limit the eventual
arbitration to that portion only to which
Great Britain has more recently laid claim
Secretary Gresham goes to give at
length history of the various attempts
that have been made by the United States
and by Venezuela herself to bring about
settlement by arbitration of this dispute,
bringing it down to Oct. 6, 1893, where it
now rests. when he says:
1.-THE President is inspired by desire for
a peaceable and honorable adjustment of
the existing difficulties between an Amer
nation and Would be glad to see the. re-
establishment Of such diplomatic relations
between them as would promote that end
/ car discern but two equitable solutions to
the present controversy. One is the arbi-
trary determination OF the rights of the
dsputants as the respective successors to
the historical rights OF Holland and Spain
over the region in question. The other IS
to create new boundary line in accordance
with the dictates of mutual expectancy and
considerations The two governments having
SO far been unable to agree on a conven-
adN Ccacy by the United States ard England
of the principle of arbitration, and their
recourse thereto in settlement of impor-
tant question arising between them, make
such a mode of adjustment especially APP
government will gladly do what it can to
further a determination in that sense. With
to your hands, leaving it to you to avail
yourself of any. convenient opportunity to
advance the adjustment CT the dispute in
In his letter of last December Secretary
Gresham thus addresses Mr.. Bayard: In
conference with Senior Andrade, during your
visit at home, he doubtless expressed the
earnest desire of his government for a
speedy determination Of the question by
arbitration. / cannot believe her Majesty's
government will maintain that the validity
Of their claim to territory Ions IN aispuss
as a condition precedent to the arbitration
of the question whether Venezuela is entitled
to other territory, which, until a very recent
rerioo, was never in doubt. Our interest in
the question has repeatedly been shown by
ment alike honorable to both countries, and
the President is pleased to know that Vene-
a, s M,i 51u It Is not doubted that
you will discreetly exert your influence in
favor. of some plan of honorable settle
mont-
Little DifHcuIty with Colombia.
WASHINGTON, April 16.-There is a long
of 1894, relative to the boundary dispute be-
tween Colombia and Costa Rica, now for
turately settled by arbitration. 1t appears
that our minister at Bogota, the Colombian
capital, was urging upon that government
this method of settling the dispute. but his
overtures were at time not well re-
ceived. Under date of Jan. IL, 1894, he
wrote Secretary Gresham relative to a COM
plant from the Colombian government that
the tone of his communication was not in
harmony with the spirit of the friendly
relations existing between the two govern
ments" The minister explains that he had
tary GreshaTn,s letter in making his repre-
sentations and adds later on, that the
letter was withdrawn; that the Colombian
government had not kept its promise to
keep the United States legation Informed
as to the nature of a treaty submitted 10
Costa Rica, and that he had intimated to
the Prime Minister that he had put a
slight upon the United States. The minis
ter also said that he convinced that
the Colombian government was not ami
mated by strong spirit of friendship to-
ward the United States Later correspond
erces. however, show that this ili-feeiing
was removed without leaving any scars, and
that the Colombian minister at Washing
ton had most strongly protested the friend
ship entertained by his government Tor the
tinted States, and that the boundary dis
pute had progressed toward successful
conclusion
INCOME TAX RETURNS.
x1.up< f<pua to Il.