The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-19
READY TO FIGHT.
Venezuela Will Not TameIy Submit to
British Encroachments.
AMERICAN INTERESTS At STAKE.
Interested Parties Intend to
Assert Their Rights.
AMERICAN INTERESTS At STAKE.

NEW YORK, Oct. 19.-That the venezue-
Ian question is assuming rapidly an acute
stage, with the possibility of war. Is mado
evident by interesting disclosures conveyed
authoritatively In New York.
For years the dispute respecting the
boundary line In Venezuela between that
country and Great Britain has dragged
along in tedious diplomatic intercourse.
The question as TO Great Britain's claim
of Venezuelan territory has never been
settled decisively. Steadily the British
have encroached upon Venezuelan lands
until now they are actually claiming 7,OOO,-
600 acres of valuable gold mining country,
tho concessions of which have beengranted
by the Venezuelan government TO syndi-
cate composed Of American citizens,
Great Britain has advanced her aggres-
sive claims wherever land OF value has
been discovered. 1t Is precisely this fact
and the determination Of the United
States syndicate 10 uphold les rights to Its
concessions that promise TO bring about
grave complications very shortly
In tho first place, United States prospec-
tors. miners and workmen will soon be at
work actively on the very ground claimed
by the British Secondly, the Venezuelan
government, IL was learned yesterday, has
been quietly supplying itself with modern
armament. Among other supplies, 10 i'm
proved Maxim guns have been ordered
from Europe. 1t Is true General Crespo,
President of Venezuela, did not order them
directly. II Is doubtful whether the Eng
lish firm that manufactured them knew
their destination. They were ordered
from this country with instructions to be
sent to an exporting house In New York.
The facts bear out the supposition that
Venezuela Is determined TO resist aggres-
sion to the last and prove that the citizens
of the United States who hold the conces-
sions In Venezuela are resolved to assert
their rights immediately.
What the British will do when large
force OF American workingmen proceed TO
develop the territory claimed by them Is
the very latest interesting problem and
one which carries with it grave results.
The syndicate's Pians.
William N. Stafford. counsel for tho
Orinoco company-the American syndi-
cate which controls the Venezuelan con-
cessions-makes plain the position now
being assumed by the Orinoco company.
COulldnt, nt Sbius PIoPootS w
work its concessions without delay. II
will send prospoctors along the line OF
Imataca mountains, whose foothills are
supposed TO bo ample in gold mines. That
territory IL OF course in the company s
concessions and has always been marked
So OH the map. But now that there is a
prospect of gold there, Great Britain steps
In and claims 1t. Arrangements are be-
Il. a 81 10 A,
velop the company's coucessions-not
with any intent To start controversy
but TO assert the company's rights. Be-
sides the mines there are other properties
In the concessions awaiting development.
Great Britain refers TO the Schomburk
line, but the fact is she has gone beyond
that. This line Is purely imaginary. Sir
Robert Schomburk visited Venezuela In
1870, and starting at Point Barema, merely
drew line southwark on the map. 1t Is
susceptible of proof that he never sur.
veyed the land at all. The Venezuelan
government has conclusive evidence that
he made no survey.
'.In 1850 Great Britain asserted that il
had no intention TO occupy or usurp dis
puted territory, nor could 1t brook any
aggression, etc. The inference was that
a neutral attitude was to be maintained
Somatters went until 1855. In that year
rich gold fields, now yielding $4,000, 900 a
wear. were discovered west OF the Schom
burk line, between the Guaima and
Paramau rivers They are known as the
Barema gold fields, and are so to go miles
west of the Schomburk line.
British Greed.
Nevertheless, Great Britain promptly
stepped in and claimed that territory
And so she has gone on since, claiming
land wherever gold has been discovered
The Orlnoco company claims those gold
| fields rs being in Its concession, and pro
poses to stand up for its perfectly clear
| title TO thcm."
Just what Great Britain covets Is mad,
| plain by the following facts: Land gram
| including over l4,0o0,00o acres of tn,
richest land In the world was conceded Il
| @. G.. Fitzgerald by the government O.
! Venezuela on Sept. %, 1888. The conces
| sions came later into the possession of tn,
| Manoa company--composed of American
capitalists. A few weeks ago the Mano,
| company held meeting in the Asto
| House in New York. The meeting wa
| for the purpose of turning over the leas,
| of the concessions TO the Orinoco company
This last corporation was organized re
Gently under the laws Of the state o
Washington. 1t will issue $4,000, ,o0
worth Of bonds to develop the concessions
| On June Is last President Crcspo re
affirmed the lease held by the Nance com
pany
! The lands covered by the lease hold
practically inexhaustiblc deposit OF as
| phslt, vast gold and other mineral field
and mahogany forests. These lands ar
worth millions upon millions.