The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-27
LORD SALIsBURY'S STATEMENT OF
ENGIAND'S CASE.

We print elsewhere this morning "A
map of British Guiana and Venezuela
accompanied by so much OF LORD Sails
bury's second note to Secretary Oney
as Is necessary to understand Great
Britain's claim to the property I'm dis
pute. while the map Itself shows exactly
what is IN dispute. On reading the ox-
tracts from Lord Salisbury's note. it will
be seen that in 1863 the States General
OF Holland claimed in memorial adj
dressed to the Spanish Government. that
all the territory along the Essequibo and
the Cuyuni rivers. and their branches
belonged to Dutch Guiana, and that the
Spanish Government practically admit
ted the claim. The territory along the
basins of the Essequibo and Cuyuni
rivers. and their branches is the territory
in dispute. as the reader can see by fol-
lowing the outside line upon the map.
The British Government. therefore, IS
claiming no more than their srantor.
Holland. claimed in the teeth of Spain
in 1863. and only what Spain then prac-
tically admitted was Hollands by right
Fair-minded men must say. upon this
showing. that Great Britain seems TO
have the best of the case But. whether
she has Or has not. all men must admit
upon this showing that her claim TO the
territory in dispute is certainly colorado.
and so colorado as to deprive the claim
OF all semblance of wantonness and ag-
IL 81.
earnest and bona nde.
These extracts from Lord salisbury's
note dispose eGecually also of another
erroneous view Of this case.
which has been persistenuy press
cd upon the people in the news
papers. and is the main element of AIr.
olncys arrogant and offensive letter OF
last July to Lord Salisbury And that
is the proposition that England's course
in connection with the case mas been
yacillating and uncertain. az one time con-
ceding parts OF Nenczuelas claims. and
at another time denying thcm-somc-
times protesting readiness 10 arbitrate.
and at others backing ont Of plans for
arbitration. Lord Salisbury shows that
Enrland's course has beca perfectly
straightforward and consistent through
out. lie gives "a connected account OF
the various steps that have been taken.
and how ono brought on another. but
throughout an England stood by the
proposition that her true and ughtfui
line was the line that Holland claimed
tV
al definite settlement OF an that was
IN dispute. Lord Aberdeen was willing
10 make certain concessions, and after
wards Lord Granville was willing TO
make certain other concessions. II Is
as agstavating as anything can be TO
find our Secretary of State pervcrting
these concessions. 50 plainly made IN the
interest Of compromise and adjust
men,. into evidences Of uncertainty as
10 what England's real rights actually
were. and a disposition to. concede a
thing to-day, which she wished TO grasp
tomorrow. on seeing a favorable oppos-
tunity to mend her held.
Venezuela comedies TO England no more
than the territory that IS bounded by
Tie Essequibo river. though. for a COM
J. aise. shc has expressed willingness
60 let The line come UP TO the Pumeron
river. If England conceded this, she
would have 10 turn over TO the Nene-
xuelan rule. which they fear and abhor,
al the thousands of people who I've
20 tbc west OF the Essoqubo river. and
20 q. north up 10 the Orinoco river. a.
though that whole territory has been in
Dutch and English possession for more
than three hundred years. II would be
. shameful thing upon the part OF our
Government II II took a hand in produc-
lns such . result.