The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-05

Infsrfer,nce by the United ates in the
Dispute with Venezuela Not I" Grated

D,spu,s WIN vene1uein No, To Grated.
The New York Herald prints this dis
patch from its washington correspondent
IN yesterdays issue: >
No interference by the United States IN
tho boundary dispute between Great BTU
] ain and Venezuela Will be tolerated. W
the British Goeyrr mont
This, I'm effect il the reply OF the Brit
| ish FOREIGN Office to Ambassador Bay
ards representation OF the desire OF 'he
| United States TO bring about settlement
| OF the boundary dispute by arbitration.
a cabiegram was received at the Sttte
Department to-day iron Ampassaoor
Bayard, conveying this Information
Lord Kimberly's communication to Am
bassador Bayard s8e. OF course. coucned
in tho usual diplomatic language out
the plain ErgIish OF it is understood 10 be
that Great Britain VIII not admit the
right Of the United states, under the
Monroe doctrine. to interfere IN her con-
trovcrsy with Venezuela as 10 me oodA-
dairy line between British Guina and
Venezuela
1t is understood that the British Gov
eminent informed Ambassador bayard
that II would insist on the boundary iiie
surveyed in 1s4l by Sir Robest SchomburS.
and would not submit 10 arbitration IA
any form that would bring that line In
question. II Is claimed on behalf OF Ne's
ezuela that the British position practt-
cally amounts 20 declaration that II
Venezuela will admit the claim OF Great
Britain to all the territory on the British
side OF the Schomburg line arbitration
may be reslrted 10 to determine wheeler
still moro territory shall not be taken hy
Great Britain
The attitude Of Great Britain in this
matter makes the Nenezuela boundary
dispute an affair Of the utmost import
ance TO the United States. This Govern
ment has practically made the cause 81
Venezuela her own. Not only have sew
eral Presidents endeavorcd in every way
possible 10 bring about an arbitration OF
the long-standing dispute, but the last
Congress passed a joint resolution re-
questing the Administration 10 urge the
British Government TO agree TO arbitra-
ton. and thus gave the sanction Of the
legislative branch Of the Government 10
the efforts made by the Executive to Sc
cure a settlement OF this question in such
"A way as TO protect the rights Of Ven
ezuela.
A great deal will now depend upon
the action Of the .Wo governments I'm
the disputed territory. Both Venezuela
and Great Britain have established small
flows through the centre of the territory
IN controversy. These outposts overlap
each other. some of those established
by Venezuela being nearer to the terri
tory which is admittedly British than
are some Of the British outpCsts. IL viii
be seen that the situation is such that
hostile clash might be brought on at
any time. a,d II Great Britain should
follow up her insisteace on the Schom-
lin. 40 g..I
Venezuelan soldiers it would bring mat
tiers TO a crisis at once.
Tie fOrcibe occupation of the disputed
territory by Great Britain would make
1t necessary for the administration TO
determine upon definite policy at once
and either abandon Venezuela TO her fate
or follow up the moral aid which she has
extended her by forcibly UNFOLDING her
side OF the controversy. II the Monroe
doctrine is carried by the President and
Secretary Gresham to the extent which
many prominent Democrats are urging
upon the administration it Will PRACTICAL
~ amount TO the United States taking
the stand that not only are the European
nations precluded from acquiring terri
tory which is admittedly the property
OF an American nation. but that dis
putei boundary lines where European in
ter.sts are involved can only be settled
United States.
on account of the action of Congress
In this matter, President Cleveland and
Secretary Gresham may feel warranted
IA carrying their opposition to Great Br!-
tain further than they otherwise would,
and If Great Britain insists upon the
withdrawal Of the Venezuelan outposis
along the Guyuni river there is little rea-
son TO doubt that tie United States Will
make a naval demonstration in force
along the Venezuelan coast. and IL Is
possible that Interference might be car
ried so far as 10 give actual assistance
to Venezuela in resisting the forcible oc-
cupltion OF the disputed territory by
Great Britain.
The situation Is very grave and Is Civ
ing the administration a great deal Of
concern, though II IS hoped that before
matters are carried 10 the extreme the
diplomatic negotiations between the
United States and Great Britain may
lead TO an amicable settlement. IL is held
I'm Washington that Great Britain would
be very reluctant to come 10 an open
rupture with the United States on ac-
count of the disturbance which would
result, and il is held that while the rela-
tions between the two countries might
become very much strained a satisfactory
settlement will be reached IN the end.
Should occasion arise for a display OF
force In Venezuelan waters, Rear Admiral
Meade's squadron. now in the West
Indies, could be ordered there at once.