The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-31
THE GOVERNOR OF GUIANA.
Belittles the Uruan Incident and Looks
for No Trouble.

Copyrighted by the Associated Press.
London, Oct. 30-Sir Charles Cameron
Lees, X. G., governor of British Guiana,
arrived In Plymouth at midnight, having
been recalled TO England TO confer with
Colonial Secretary Chamberlain on the
Venezuelan boundary question. Sir Charles
was seen upon his arrival by representa-
tive OF the Associated Press, who sought
TO obtain his views upon the Venezuelan
question, and to whom he accorded an in
terview. He said;
II regard the frontier outrag e-the So
called Uruan incident-as a purely indi-
vidual act. as the British subjects. Barnes
and Baker, who were arrested by the
Venezuelan officers, when brought before
the higher representatives or the Vene-
zuelan government were asked by them
10 return to the British territory. But
they declined, on the ground that there
was no means Of transit back"
The Uruan incident referred to by Sir
Charles was that upon which the reported
British ultimatum TO Venezuela was
based. A British sergeant OF police. the
Barnes above referred to- and two assist
ants, crossed the river at Uruan and plant
ed the British flag on the Venezuelan side
The Venezuelan police tore down the flag.
drove the intruders across the stream
and subsequently arrested them. While on
their way 20 Ciudad Bolivar with their
prisoners they were instructed from Cara
NIT them 10 return TO British Guiana. The
British government demanded reparatfon
for these arrests.
Sir Charles Lees was asked further 10
explain the action of the Guiana council
In voting its disapproval of Colonial Secre-
tasy Chamberlain's suggestion for the
purchase OF Maxim guns 10 be be taken to
the Venezuelan frontier. Sir Charles said:
with regard to this vote, the matter was
purely an imperial one. There is only a
post consisting of seven men at Uruan,
being merely police station. TO mark the
frontier on the Schomburgk boundary line
and there Is practically no military sta
ton there ar all. though the colonial gov
eminent has repeatedly asked for a sup
ply of Maxim guns
Sir Charles has come home princfpaIIv
to recruit his health, and although some
matters of private business will also re-
ceive his attention. he will see Mr. Cham
berlain. secretary OF state for the colonies
as soon as possible.
Going back TO the Cruan incident, Sir
Charles said: THE Venezuelan party
when they crossed the river at JTr11an
hoisted their flag upon a building within
the Schombursk boundary. Sergts Barnes
and Baker hauled 1t down merely TO show
that Il was within the British lines al
though the colonial government would be
delighted TO welcome squatters 10 that ter
rit0ry. and only desired 10 show that il vas
British territory" He was asked If he
thought that any serious affair would oc-
cur in the event OF a crisis. 10 which he re-
piled: 81 think not. as there is only a very
small police station on the Venezuelan
frontier. The Venezuelsns tried their ut
most TO persuade Barnes and Baker 20 re-
turn to British territory after they had
been arrested"
The Associated Press representative
then asked the governor If any difficulty
q - n
made TO American capitalists by yene-
zueia- He said: No concessions have
been made within the British sphere Of in
fluence. and therefore no difficulty IS like
IS To occur. have no idea that there
VIII he any serious resistance To the Brit
ish demands growing out Of the Tr1an
incident, as the Venezuelan government
seems DESTROYS % doing everything POS
sghle - repair any injury done TO British
subjects"