Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-04-05
NO TAME SUBMISSION.
Venezuclansl Determined TO Defend
Their Country Against England.
Bayard's Good Offices For
Arbitration Ignored.
The United States Looked TO For Aid ay The
Little Republic.

WAsHINGToN, April Venezuela, being
convinced that Great Britain has finally
declined to arbitrate or settle tho boundary
dispute, as suggested by the United States,
through Ambassador Bayard, will regret
fully but resolutely resort to what she re-
CARDS AS her only recourso-a resort TO
force.
Venezuela fully recognizes the great
military strength OF Great Britain, but 1t
Is declared that her people are ready to
see their homes and their citizens desc
lated and laid In ashes rather than sub
nit to what they regard as national dis
honor. 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 impressed have they
become with this opinion, 10 Is expressed
that they would rather SOC their country
20 out OF existence than pass Into the
practical control OF foreign power.
Little doubt Is felt under these circunl-
stances that Venezuela will forcibly as-
sert her rights To the disputed Orinoco
territory rs soon as Great Britain's rejec-
tion Of settlement are definitely com
municated. Tho territory extends about
100 miles along the coast, running back 80
miles TO what Is known as the Scbombcrg
line Through the middle of this strip
runs the Orinoco river, commanding com
merce OF the interior OF South America.
Great Britain Is already well intrenched
there, with a naval station at the mouth
OF the river.
Arbitration Refused.
The interest OF the United States I'm the
controversy has progressed steadily in re-
cent days. 1t began with the friendly
suggestion through Mr.. Bayard OF IA SET
tlement and request from congress that
Great Britain submit to arbitration. The
United States squadron, under Admiral
Meade, was accorded an ovation at Vene-
zuelan ports quite recently, and steps
were taken To commemorate the Monroe
doctrine by erecting a statue TO Presi-
dent Monroe at the Capitol Of Venezuela.
Within recent years Venezuela has
granted large concessions Of the Orlnoco
country to citizens OF the United States.
A strong hope seems to DO entertained on
the part Of Venezuela that the United
States will not stand idly by il "a resort To
force Is resorted to.
1t Is understood that the position OF
Great Britain in declining the suggestion
of the United States for tho settlement of
the trouble with Venezuela, is substanti-
ally as follows:
First-Great Britain takes the position
that the question Of arbitration was once
before proposed by Venezuela. AT that
time the foreign office gave the subject
most careful consideration, and submitted
his reply, embodying proposition to ar-
bitrate certain definite subjects Of contro-
versy. 10 this proposition Venezuela has
never made II reply. either accepting or re-
jecting tho proposed basis of arbitration.
Under these circumstances IL Is not desira.
bic To proceed to u second proposition of
arbitration, when the first remains unan-
swered.
Second-In any event, there are certain
portions of territory To which VeneZCela
lays claim, which under no circumstances
will be made the subject OF arbitration, as
they are recognized and established pOr-
tions OF the British domain and are not.
therefore, "a subject on which the judg.
ment of arbitrators could be invoked.
Thrd-The subject matter is one be-
tween Great Britain and Venezuela, so
that the good Offices of the United Statcs
are not regarded as essential to "a settle
ment, as IL is not understood that the
United States has assumed u protectorate
over Venezuela or has other interest thar
that of "A friendly mower