The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-31

uruan Incident Does Not Appear Very
Formidable, After All.
PEAcEABLE SETTLEMENT LIKELY
Concessions to Americans Not
Affected by Dispute.
fCopyriehtcd. 1851

LONDON, Oct. 81 - Sir Charles Lees,
governor OF British Guiana, has arrived at
Plymouth, having been recalled 20 Eng
land TO confer with Colonial Secretary
Chamberlain on the Venezuelan boundary
question. In an interview, Sir Charles
said:
II regard the frontier outrage (the so
called Uruan incident) as purely In
dividual act, as the British subjects,
Barnes and Baker. who were arrested by
the Venezuelan officer, when brought be-
fore the higher representatives, OF the ven
ezuelan government, were asked by them
20 return To the British territory But
they declined on the ground that there
were no means OF transit back. y
The Cruan incident referred to by Mr..
Lees was that upon which the reported
British ultimatum 10 Venezuela was
based A British sergeant Of police (the
Barnes above referred to) and two assist
ants crossed the river at Uruan and
planted the British flag on the Venezuelan
side The Venezuelan police tore down
the flag, drove the intruders across the
stream and subsequently, arrested them.
While on their way 10 Ciudad Bolivar
with their prisoners they were instructed
from Caracas 10 release the Englishmen
and to permit them 10 return to British
Guiana. The British government de-
mands reparation for these arrests.
Lees Side of the Story.
Mr.. Lees was asked further to explain
the action Of the Guiana high council in
voting its disapproval OF Colonial Sccre-
tary Chamberlain's suggestion for the
purchase Of maxim guns to be taken TO
the Venezuelan frontier. Sir Charles said:
with regard to this vote, the matter
was purely an imperial one. There Is
only post, consisting Of seven men at
uruan, being merely police station to
mark the frontier on the Schomburgk
boundary line, and there is practically no
military station there. although the
colonial government has repeatedly asked
the imperial government for supply of
maxim guns
"The Venezuelan party, when they
crossed the river at Uruan, hoisted their
nag upon a building within the Schom-
burgk boundary. Sergeants Barnes and
Baker hauled IL down merely to show that
IL was within the British lines although
the colonial government would be de-
lighted Co welcome sdaatters TO that terri
tory, and 0nly desired to show that IL was
British territory"
He was asked II he thought that any
serious affair would occur In the event Of a
crisis, to which he replied: II think not,
as there is only very small police station
ON the venezeluan frontier. The Vene-
xuelans tried their utmost to persuade
Barnes and Raker to return to British ter
ritory after they had been arrested"
The governor was then asked IL any diff
Guilty was likely to arise out of the con-
cessions made to American capitalists by
Venezuela. He said: "No concessions
have been made within the British sphere
Of influence, and therefore no difficulty is
likely TO arise.
II have no idea that there will be any
serious resistance TO the British demands
growing out of the Uruan incident, as the
Venezuelan government seems desirous Of
doing everything possible to repair any
injury done to British subjects"
Sir Charles came home principally to
recruit his health, and although some
matters of private business will also re-
ceive his attention. he will see Mr.. Cham.
berlain, secretary Of state for the colonies,
"a soon as possible