Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-05
THE VENEZUELA PROBLEM
Great BritaiD's Grounds for Declining to
Arbitrate theDispute.
The Venezuelans Way Precipltate n
Conflict and Seize the Land Claim
ed-This Countrs's Position.

1t is understood that the position of
Great Britain in declining the suggestion
of the United States for the arbitration of
the trouble with Venezuela is substantially
as follows:
First. Great Britain takes the position
that the question of arbitration was once
proposed by Venezuela. Al that time the
foreign office gave the subject most care
full consideration, and then submitted a
reply embodying proI oIbsitior to arbitrate
certain definite subjects of controversy
To this proposition Venezuela has never
made a reply, either accepting or reject
ing the proposed basis of arbitration. I'm
der these circumstances 1T is not desirable
to proceed to a second proposition of ar
bitration, when the first remains unan-
swered.
Territory Not Subject to Arbitration.
Second. In any event. there are certain
portions of territory to which Venezula
lays claim, which under no circumst tances
will be made the subject of arbitration, as
they are recognized and established por-
tions of the British domain, and are not
therefore, subject on which the judg-
ment of arbitrators could be invoked.
Third. The subject matter is one between
Great Britain and Venezuela, so that the
regarded as essential to settlement, as
it is not understood that the United States
has assumed a protectorate over Venezuela
or has ether interest than tfat of friend
ly power.
Preparing to Preeipftate a Conflict.
There are growing indications that the
Venezuelan government is preparing to pre-
cipitate conflict with Great Britain in the
full hope that the United States will back
he -.;z
territory now in the possession of Great
Britain. Such action on her part would
undoubtedly be resisted by force and would
assuredly result in the complete failure of
the undertaking, unless the United States
Joined with Venezuela. Although the Unit
ed States is deeply interested in the peace
full settlement of the dispute between Great
Britain and Venezuela, 1T Is regarded as
extremely doubtful If this country would
sustain Venezuela in an attempt to seize
territory claimed by Great Britain, and
which has been in her possession for many
years.
The United States Interest.
The interest of the United States in the
controversy has progressed steadily in re-
cent days. 1t began with the friendly sug-
gestion through Mr.. Bayard of settle
ment, and a request from Congress that
Great Britain submit the matter to arbitra-
tloE Inc InlteQ states slusuToH uIIer
Admiral Meade was accorded an ovation
at Venezuelan ports quite recently, and
steps were taken to commemorate the Mon
roe doctrine by erecting statue to Presi
dent Monroe at the capital of Venezuela.
Within recent days Venezuela has granted
large concessions of the Orinoco country to
citizens of the United States. A strong
hope seems to be entertained on the part
of Venezuela that the United States will
not stand idly by If Venezuela endeavors
to secure by force what she has SO far
failed to get by peaceful methods.
Will Not Submit to DishonOr.
Venezuela fully recognizes the great mill
tary strength of Great Britain. but it is de-
clared that her people are ready to see
their homes and their cities desolated and
laid in ashes rather than submit to what
they regard as national dishonor. 1t Is
said that the contention with Great Britain
is not SO much one of territory as of the
sentiment and honor involved. So firmly
this that the opinion is expressed that
they would rather see their country go out
of existence than pass into the partial con-
tIol of a foreign power.
Little doubt Is felt under these circum-
stances that Venezeula will forcibly assert
her rights to the disputed Orinoco terri
tory as soon as Great Britain's rejection
ed. This territory extends about $50 miles
along the coast, running back thirty-five
miles to what Is known as the Schomberg
line. Through the middle of this strip runs
Orinoco river commanding the commerce
to the interior Of South America. Great
Britain Is already well intrenched there,
with naval station at the mouth of the
river