The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1895-11-14
VENEZUELA AND CUBA
An Interview With Senator
Morgan, of Alabama.
BRITISH RIGHTS IN VENEZUELA

The A Acquisition OF Cuba Only Desirable
Because Of the Military strength
1t Would Give Us.
Washington, Nov. 5.-Senator Nor
gan, of Alabama, chairman Of the for
eign relations committee, and an au-
thority on International law in an inter-
view here, called attention to Lord
Salisbury's claim that Great Britain
had acquired rights in the disputed ter
ritory adjoining Venezuela by treaty
with the native Indian tribes. He
said:
For the last three-quarters of Gen.
fury Great Britain has been forming,
whenever she could, little by-ararnge-
ments with Indian tribes that had
chieftains who were regularly consti-
tuted heads Of the tribes. 1t was in
that way that she recognized the Mos
quito king, Clarence. Such treaties
with such people are made right in the
teeth of the well-understood and we'll
asserted doctrine of Great Britain,
Germany, France, Spain, and all the
American states, which, is that, when
country has acquired, by conquest
or discovery, any territory, the Indian
tribes found therein are considered as
occupants at will of the sovereignty,
and are not regarded as nations having
sovereignty. such sovereignty inuring
to the nations that discovered or con-
quered the territory. A recognition of
the sovereignty of such Indian tribes
has been regarded as breach of the
international rights Of other nations.
For this reason, any claims of
Great Britain with Venezuela, based
upon private treaties with Indian
chiefs, are of no avail, and should not
be recognized as being in conformity
with international law.
II think Great Britain is prepared
now to adjust the Venezuela boundary
question on the lines that were survey.
ed by Schomberg. When that line was
established, the British colonists COM
menced moving out to it and making
settlements, and particularly taking up
gold claims, and Venezuela, in her
weakness, has been compelled to stand
by and see that course pursued. Great
Britain sets up claim similar to that
of man who has occupied for a mum.
Der of years territory belonging to some
one else.
II would suppose that. unless Great
Britain moves to the north and west
ward of the Schomberg line, it is
scarcely probable that the United
States can be involved in the contro-
versy, but if she is ever involved in
such a controversy, the British govern
ment ought to be compelled to avow or
disavow the dependency of various
petty charges.
England might go to Alaska and
enter into treaty with the chiefs of
Indian tribes there with as much rea-
son as she could make treaties with
such tribes located to the south of us.
1.-THE gold fields and the territory at
the mouth of the Orinoco, which is the
key to the control of the entire central
portion Of Venezuela, were the things
that inspired Great Britain's course. :"
In the interview, the senator also
urged that it should be made part of
the foreign policy of the United States
to secure an understanding by which
we could deal in diplomatic matters
directly with Canada and Cuba, in
stead of through Great Britain and
Spain.
Turning to Cuba, the senator was
asked: do you think congress would
be favorable to the purchase of Cuba,
if such proposition would be accept
able to Spain?''
II have no right to suppose that con-
gress would. can only suppose that
Spain, like every nation, will in the
end consult the highest interest of her
people, and she may find it to be pa
triotic duty to free herself from the
control of Cuba, which has more in
fuences on politics in Spain today than
any local question in the kingdom. I
do not care anything about the acqui-
sition of Cuba as an addition to our
territory, but l should want it for the
military strength it would give u.s."