Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-06-28
ABOUT VENEZ U E L A
Col Livingston Talks Of His Recent Trip
There.
People Friendly to United States
Many Concession BEING Granted
to Americans There.

Representative Livingston of Georgia,
who, as stated in The Star yesterday, has
Just returned from Venezuela, brought with
him important news concerning recent
events in that country, including a re-
bellion in Valencia, which was quickly
suppressed by the government and which
was not reported outside of the country
also the news that at a recent meeting OF
the cabinet the English coRcession for
vast tract of the Orinoco country, including
the famous Bahia gold mines and part of
the territory claimed by Great Britain,
was revoked and new CONCESSION granted
to an American company. lThe- latter I'M
mediately sent its men to take possession
of the concession, and Representative Liv-
ingston expects that II the, British occu-
pants refuse to yield the, American COM
pany will make speedy Representations to
of Col. Livingston's trip hs is convinced
that the United States win adopt strong
policy on the British-NeneZuela question,
perhaps through the executive branches
this summer, and certainly through Con-
gresS when it assemblies. He said that the
Venezuelans are enthusiastic in their love
for the United states. ~ - F"
Tie President OF the nRepubIic.
Col. Livingston was asked concerning
President Crespo and the other public men
of the country. w.. --
1.-The country requires very strong
man." he said, land it has found one in
Crespo. He came in at the head of a revo-
luton two years ago and he rules with an
iron hand. He began as a cowboy, then
advanced to cattle owner. and is now
man of great wealth. owning property in
Brooklyn. N. Y, and in France and Eng
land. The laws are such that he is little
short of absolute dictator. He owns the
great sugar refinery Of Venezuela, and the
tariff on sugar is 16 cents a pound. He
recognized the need of constant vigilance
against the 1cbelious element led by Rlan-
co, and in consequence he keeps an army
Of 10000 men ready to be moved at any
moment.
Il was assured that In case of any up
rising an American would be entirely safe,
as all parties protected Americans. / be-
gan to understand the meaning of this as
surance when the next night messenger
came to ME to say that a rebellion had
broken out, when I heard, vans moving
along the streets, gathering soldiers to con-
script for an uprising. A messenger
brought me word that an outbreak had oc
Cured in the Valercia valley. The soldiers
were hurried forward and the outbreak
crushed before it had gained ground. No
word of it ever reached this country. 1t
shows the need of strong government
with determined men at the head.
Col. Livingston was asked to the re-
suits of his investigation of the British
claims.
The British Claims.
L found" said he. that our past infor-
| nation has been very meager, and
brought back many maps and documents
which hope will throw light on the SUBJ
ject. The British have made no less than
seven lines their boundary claim. The
first four lines were found not to include
the gold country and the land commanding
the mouth of the Orinoco river. AS a re-
suit, the British have been pushing their
lines further inland until they now claim
all the gold fields and the lower Orinoco
or this territory belongs to Venezuela, and
in any event, it is only just that the sub
ject should be passed upon by an impartial
commission or arbitration, as the United
States has suggested"
But suppose Great Britain declines to
al Nitrate. what will the United States do?"
Congress Will Take Up the Question.
Congress will certainly take up the ques-
| ton as soon as it reassembles, If. indeed,
| the executive branch of, the government
has not passed on it in a very definite form
by that time. L am not informed as to
what answer Great Britain has given to
| the request of the United States for arbi-
| tration, but it, is understood. that she will
arbitrate part, but will not arbitrate as
| to certain territory which she claims is un-
| questionably hers. But wing should she
hesitate to arbtrate if her title is unques-
| tionable? Congress will ask Tor all the cor
| respondence on the subject and we Will! be
| able to tell what steps are necessary. That
| Congress will act veryadecisively is beyond
the slightest question. fer the American
people have already reached a conclusion
on this subject. 1t should be submitted to
arbitration, but if THIS dealing with Ven
ezuela is declined. then it Should go be-
fore an impartial foreign commission.say
one commissioner from Germany, one from
France and one from Mexico. Certainly
one republic should be represented"
Col. Livingston was again asked what
would be the ultimate result If Great Bri-
tain rejected all arbitration and commits
sions.
protect the interests Of it's citizens In Ven
ezuela With the granting of this Ameri
can concession, there is a definite some
thing which it is the duty of this govern
raent to protect and have no DOUBT that
the responsibility will be assumed by the
executive branch and by Congress, with
every requisite to secure a respectful en-
forcement of the attitude of the United
States"
Government Receipts.