Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1895-12-26

within the cognizancc of the laws of ma
tuns.
From lsl4 to 1871 England never init
mated in the slightest manner that she
deemed herself entitled to any important
portion of the Atlantic coast west OF the
Essequib0 river. Most interesting and
valuable evidence is afforded by a long
note written on May ?6, 1885, by Sir Rob
ert ker Porter, British charge affaires at
Caracas. to the Venezuelan authorities,
pettioning them with great earncstness
to erect IA lighthouse at Point Barima and
otherwise provide for safer navigation at
the grand mouth of tho Orinoco. Mr..
Porter thus conceded that Point Barina
and the OrinOco mouth We're exclusively
within the jurisdiction of the Venezuelan
government and the British foreign office
never took occasion 10 repudiate his action
in that matter until some 30 years later,
after il had become the fixed poliCy of the
London cabinet to hold Point Barima and
the mouth of the Orinoco by force of arms
and without admitting arbitration.
Origin of the Schomburgk Line.
The Schomburgk line, with its initial
point at the center of the OrinOCO mouth,
WAS traced in 1871 by Sir Robert Schoni-
hurgk, an English engineer, In surveying
it no acted entirely in the interests ~ the
British government and without the cor
sent or even the knowledge of Venezuela.
Great excitement was ocCasioned III the re-
! public when it became known what
| ~chomburgk had done, and that he had
set up posts to Indicate British dominion
\ prompt remonstrance was made, and
ord Aberdeen, who was then prime min
lister Of England answered, on Dec. H.
1871, shat the marks placed by Mr. Scnom-
burgk al some points OF tho country which
he had surveyed were simply preliminary
step, subject tu future discussion between
the two governments; that they We're the
only tangible means Of preparing 30 dis
cusS the question Of limits with the gov
eminent of Venezuela: that they were
placed with that express object and not,
as the government of Venezuela seemed
to fear it, with the intention OF indicating
dominion or empire on the part of Great
Britain. soon a(torward Lord Aberdeen
ordered that all Of Schomburgk's posts
should be removed.
Three years later Qs44) Lord Aberdeen
voluntarily proposed To senior Fortcque,
Venezuelan plenipotentinry in England, IL
boundary line beginning on tho coast AT
tho mouth of the river Morocco, which
empties into the ocean some distance to
the westward OF the Essequibo.
On Nov. u, 1850, Mr.. BclfOrG Hinton
Wilson, charge d affaires Of Great Britain
in Venezuela, sent TO the Venezuelan gov
ernmcnt note specifically contradicting
rumor that England intended claiming
Venezuelan Guiana and adding: 1.-The
Venezuelan government in justice to Great
Britain cannot mistTust for moment the
sincerity Of the formal declaration which
is now made in the name and by the Ok
press order Of her majesty's government
that Great Britain has no intention to oc-
cupy or encrosch upon tho territory in dis
Dutc Therefore the Venezuelan govern
nent in an equal spirit of good faith and
friendship. cannot refuse to make SINH
lar declaration 10 her lnajesty's govern
mcnt-namolY, that Venezuela herself ha'
no intention 10 occupy or encroaoh upor
, the territory in dispute
Venezuela accordingly gave the desired
% assurance, and thus was established tn
10 celebrated status quo of 1850 which Ven
ezuela has always adhered to in good faith
and which England, during The last dozei
- years, has violated without scruple o
= bounds.
A On Sept. ~, 1851, Lord Granville, In
d note TO Senor lioier, Nenezuelas diplo
matte agent in England, suggested al
$ agreement on u boundary line 10 heRil
V on the coast 20 miles east from the mout
o of the river Barima The starting poin
Il thus indicated is well to tho east OF tn
Il Orinoco mouth, and in fact, Granville OK
Il plicitly stated that he had endcavored I
Q. satisfy the reasonable pretensions an
ID claims OF Venezuela, giving to her the
=. called Dardaneles of the Orinoco and N
" complete dominion Of its mouth.
ID England Repudiated the Treaty.
y Then followed the memorable event
], leading to Guzman Blanco's mission I
u England, his actual negotiation of
treaty embracing the arbitration princip
" and tho subsequent reputation of tn;
N treaty by England. In 1881 Venezue
= imposed an additional duty Of 80 per Gel
AZ on all merchandise from the British col
g MES. This WAS intended as an aggressiN
= movement for Gripping British West Il
dian trade 1t had tho desired effect. III
70 British government thereupon invite
ry Venezuela To send diplomatic reprcsent
t. tive of high rank to London for the pu
NJ pose of settling all questions at issue b
.Wssu SbS sNo epupkHiaa and Guami