Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-26
MIR. ChamberInin's Letter.


Mr.. Chamberlain's letter is as follows:
9TH September 1895
Il have the honor to inform you that my
attention has been directed to the serious
position in which the colony of British
Guiana finds itself at the present time"
After reciting the depressed condition of
the gold region, Mr.. Chamberlain contin-
ues:
I'm its gold British Guiana appears to
possess a con siderable source of wealth,
from which it may be expected that an in
creasing revenue can be drawn If measures
re taken to open up the country and to
render the gold-bearing region more ac-
cessible to miners than it has hitherto
been
ITO this end, one of the first and most
important steps is the construction of the
proposed road for connecting the upper
reaches Of the Barina and Barana rivers,
thence to be carried to the Cuyuni at the
mouth of the Acarabisci creek. and on
ward if necessary. to the junction OF the
Uruan and Cuyuni rivers.
1.-The road, as 1 have said, is necessary
for the development of the northwestern
district, which, SO far, is the district prom
Using the best results as gold field. But
1t is also of Importance from an admins
trative and a military point of view, as 1t
will materially shorten the distance to the
interior of British Guiana, and WILL at the
same time. put it in the power of the gov
with the frontier and to repel any at
tempted aggression on the part of Ven
eZuela.
1.-The road will not, understand involve
& large expenditure, and ! consider that no
time should be lost in undertaking Its con-
Struction.
Il accordingly telegraphed you on the
I'd instant requesting you to bring the
tain it's sanction to the road being pro-
oeeded with Immediately"
Concession for the Gold Field.
Mr.. Chamberlain then requests iaforma-
ton as to whether capitalists can be found
who will take a concession for the gold
field, covering the same territory as the
Venezuelan concession to United States
syndicate. He adds that inquiries are now
being made in London as to the possibility
of inducing capitalists there to take the
concession from Great Britain. His letter
proceeds:
I'm view of a possible early and rapid
expansion of the gold industry. it will be
necessary to provide adequately for the
safety and protection OF the district, SO
that order may be maintained and the Dor
dcrs of the colony secured against incur
sion.
1.-The existing police force will need to be
strengthened for this purpose, ana to What
extent that may be necessary l shall he
glad to learn your opinion after full con-
sideration of the subject.
1T will probably become necessary to
erect barracks at Uruan and at one or two
other points, if the force on the border is
materially Increased.
Il have to request that you will give your
immediate attention to the various points
mentioned il. this dispatch, and, indeed, to
the whole subject in all its bearings, and
that you will furnish me with a full state
ment of your views by the earliest oppor-
tunity.'
His Policy Rejected.
The State Department has been furnished
also with the detailed action of the high
council of British Guiana upon the recon-
mendations of Minister Chamberlain.
These proceedings give the full resolution
offered by the governor general for the
purchase of a Maxim gun and ammunition,
uniforms, arms and accouterments. They
also make the surprising disclosure that
the high council of British Guiana, after
its members had severely arraigned Min
lister Chamberlain for his precipitate action
i'll recommending Maxim guns, defeated the
resolution appropriating f2,Si5 for their
purchase by vote of 10 to s, thus reject
ing the policy laid down by the British
cabinet.