The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1895-04-05
EHAzOELALAAD CONCESSIONS.
Americans Secure Land Concessions
From Venezuela.
IFISA RICH COMMERCIAL FIELD.
The Concessions May Cause Troublesome
Diplomatic Questions to Arise-The
Land Claimed By England.

The Concessions May Cause Troublesome
Diplomatic Questions to Arise-The
Land Claimed BY England.
FARBkULT, Mimi, April s.-Donald
Grant, a wealthy contractor Of this
city, ". 3. Fisher, late manager Of the
Duluth and Winnipeg railway, and J.
A. Bowman, Grand Rapids, Mich.
banker, have just returned from Vene
zuela, where they obtained a concession
Of land at the mouth Of the Orinoco,
running l25 miles south and from 10 to
20 miles east and west. It is rich in
minerals, mahogany, rosewood and dry
woods. They also have the right to
mine asphalt on small island near
Trinidad. The syndicate win invest a
great deal Of capital in working the con-
cession. and Mr.. Fisher is to be the
manager.
WASHINGTON, april g. There is a great
deal more in the news from Faribault
Of the grant of a concession by Venezu-
Ella at the mouth of the OriRoco than is
indicated in the dispatch. This conces-
sion may become more or less famous in
the history Of the diplomacy of the
United States and Great Britain. The
concession is well calculated to bring to
an acute stage the most troublesome
diplomatic question before the state
department, which has caused the adj
ministratiOn more real concern than the
Alliance affair, the late Guatemalan-
Mexican dispute and other international
episodes. The concession is in the heart
Of the territory long in dispute between
Venezuela and Great Britain, and Am
bassador Bayard for sometime has
yainly striven, in accordance with
resolution recently adopted by congress,
to persuade Great Britain to submit the
whole dispute to arbitration, Great
Britain being willing only to arbitrate
beyond what is known as the SchOom-
berg line.
There have been intimatiOns that the
administration in the event of physical
conflict over the disputed lands, might
deem it necessary in the enforcement of
the Monroe doctrine, to follow up the
moral aid it has rendered to Venezuela
with more substantial assistance. The
fact that citizens of the United States,
now by this concession, are thrust, so
to speak, between Great Britain and
the United States, considerably increases
the measure Of this governments re-
spOnsibility.
Nc Official Confirmation.
Senior Andread, the Venezuelan min
lister at Washington, says he has no
official confirmation of the grant, but
admits he does not doubt its correctness,
as it is in line with reports that such
concessions would be made. The land
included in the concession is the vital
point of conflict between Great Britain
and Venezuela. The Orinoco is the
great commercial artery of South Amer
lea, running far inland through Vene-
zuela, Brazil and other countries.
Whoever controls the mouth of the
river. Minister Andread says, will con.
troll this great commerce.
Great Britain has taken possession Of
Punta Barina at the mouth, which is to
the Orinoco what the island Gibraltar
is to the Mediterranean. She has also
equipped a naval station on Trinidad
island, just off the mouth. Her claims
embrace both banks Of the stream at the
mouth. 1t is part of this important
strategic territory that Venezuela now
grants to United States citizens. The
concession near Trinidad island is be-
ieved to be the island of Patos. 1t is
very near to the British naval station
and particularly rich in asphalt. The
present concession is the most EN-.
Dhatic declaration of ownership Vene-
zuela has had since 1884 In that year
a concession was made to Messrs. Fitz-
gerald and Turnbull. citizens Of the
United States, Of part of this Orinoco
territory. It was about to be operated |
by United States company known as
the Manoa company, when Great
Britain entered such an emphatic pro-
test that Venezuela cancelled the con
cessiOn. Since then the conflict be-
tween Great Britain and Venezuela has
been waged through diplomatic chan
nels, now Venezuela reasserts her rights /
and turns them over to United States
citizens The interesting questions
thus arise: ''What steps will now be
taken by England to assert her clai1ns?'
and evil it endeavor TO prevent the
United States syndicate operating its
CONCESSIONS"
Rain Doesn't stop Mrs. Cleveland.
WASHINGTON, april SIN spite Of
the rain Mrs. Cleveland and children
started for Woodley, the presidents
summer home, Tuesday evening. Pres
ident Cleveland followed later in the
day. He viii remain there until the
time Of his departure for Gray Gables
and VIII transact almost all executive
business there.
Gresham WIN Not Quit.
WASHINGTON, April s.-The story
printed that Secretary Gresham is going
to resign is without foundation. How
ever, Mr.. Gresham VIII soon leave the
,,iEy m, d short y-aestio1, hsl4 yin 10 y,