The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-10-06
VENEZUELA AND THE MONROE DOC.
TRISE.

1t is not likely the sensational dis
patches in relation to the course OF the
United States regarding the Venezuelan
boundary dispute have any foundation
beyond the fact that this government has
probably made a respectful and urgent
request Of Great Britain to submit the
matter to arbitration, with perhaps a
suggestion that such a step would be re-
garded by the United States as a friendly
act. If Great Britain should decline to
comply with the request it would then
become the duty of this government to
decide what further steps. if any, should
be taken.
The dispute is one Of long standing,
and has afforded numerous opportunities
for the exhibition of British aggressive
ness. Venezuela, as a colony of Spain.
declared her independence in 1910. and
derives title to her territory as the sue
cessor Of Spain. Great Britain derives
her title to British Guiana as the success
sor of Holland. The precise boundary
between the two ancient possessions was
never definitely fixed by treaty. blu as
between the Spanish and the Dutch the
Essequibo river was for a long time the
recognized boundary line. 1t was so rec
ognized in 1910. when Venezuela acquired
her independence, and in 1914, when
Great Britain acquired Guiana from Hol-
land. The present claim of Great Brit
ain includes an extensive and valuable
territory west Of the Essequibo which
was never owned by Holland, and which,
of course. could not have been ceded by
that country to Great Britain.
In 1S41 Venezuela earnestly remon-
strated against British encroachments
west of the Essequibo, and about a year
later the British government gave no.
tice that one Sir Robert ~Schomburgk
had been commissioned to survey and
mark out the boundaries of British Gui-
ana" The assent and concurrence Of
Venezuela was not asked 1t was a one
sided, proceeding. Venezuela proposed to
have the boundary settled by treaty, but
no attention was paid to the proposition.
Schomburgk went on with his survey,
and finally completed and staked off the
line which now bears his name on the
maps Of the country. For many years
Great Britain claimed up to this line,
against the repeated protests OF Ven
ezuela, but now she claims far beyond it,
taking in a considerable portion of ven-
ezuelan territory that was never in dis
pute till within two years. and including
valuable coast privileges.
There has been no time for fifty years
past that Venezuela would not willingly
hoxrn r.H-n;~z " l.<-
ton. The United States government has
several times d~elicately Inc courteously
rendered it's good Offices as arbitrator,
and at different times Mexico, Chill, CO.
lombia, Ecuador, the Argentine Repub-
lie. Guatemala, Salvador. Nicaragua, Cos
ia Rica, Hayti and Spain have Zach
separately either advised arbitration or
offered to act as arbitrator. All these
suggestions and offers have been disre-
garded or declined by Great Britain.
Her course has been one of persistent en-
croachment on Venezuelan territory and
apparent Indifference to the opinion of
the world.
1t Is not at all likely the present offer Of
the United States to act as arbitrator
will be accepted by Great Britain. Her
claim IS so flimsy and so easily disposed
of by historical facts that she will never
submit it to arbitration. If she persists
in asserting it this government will have
to decide definitely whether it will assert
or abandon the Monroe doctrine. The
latter course would involve such a sacri-
flee of principle and a surrender of in
ternational prestige and influence as the
American people woul never consent to.