The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-10-23

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22.-An interna-
fional complication which may be of
greater importance to Great Britain than
her dispute with Venezuela, it is said
here, is likely to follow the declaration
that her majesty's Government Will not
relinqulsh possession of the island o.
Trinidad, or Trinidade. as it is generally
called in Brazil, which is situated about
100 miles from Rio de JaneirO.
Various claims TO the possession OF this
island, which is an important strategic
point, have been advanced by Great
Britain at different times. One claim was
of originally discovery, but this being
abundanLy dIsproved in favor Of the
Portuguese, claim is now made to the
island as having been acquired by Great
Britain by purchase from the claimants
to grant disputed by Brazil.
Great Britain is reported to have ar
rived at a decision that she will adhere to
this, her latest claim. No further in
formation regarding the matter can be
learned here. The brazilian Minister,
Senor Mendonca, politely but firmly de-
ciIned TO discuss IL. lie said he had no
information with reference TO Great Brit
aims action, and refused TO discuss its
effect either in its relation 10 Brazil or 10
this country. There is, however, pre-
sumptive proof that the report is true, and
il this be so Great Brltain's action will
create q greater excitement In Brazil
than has existed there for years.
There Is the strongest documentary
evidence that BraziPs claim TO Trinidad
is unassailable. Should any difficulty
not thought that the United Ssates will
become Involved. Brazil, 1t is believed,
is competent to manage her own affairs
without the assistance of this country.
WASHINGTON, Oct 22.-There was
sudden squirt OF activity a. the navy yard
last night, and between seyeDty-hye and
100 men were put on night work TO finish
up the armament of the battleship Ore
gon, now lying at the Mare Island Navy
\ ard at San Francisco. This is the first
time in many years that night shift has
has ever been worked at the navy yard,
and it is regarded as the more remark
able since the force has been continually
reduced in the past year and the work on
hand has been husbanded carefully so as
10 save the $40 men now employed IN the
shops, who are the cream of the me-
chanics, till an additional appropriation
can be had from Congress.
The order yesterday was entirely un-
expected, SO far as the men were con-
;erned. They were ordered TO report in
three shifts, part to work from Z. NJ.
10 midnight, part from midnight till
a. ". and the rest till a. NJ, when
work is regularly resumed in the shop
Tor the day. The extra force is employed
entirely on the armament for the Oregon,
the twin ship TO the Indiana, which has
lately passed her very successful trial
and been put into commission. The
Oregon has received her primary battory
Of four thirteen-lnch guns and her
second battery OF four and SIX inch guns.
All that now remains is to finish up til o
mounts for her eight eight-inCh guns and
the ammunition hoists for the thirteen
inch. Win the force OF men employed
this work can be done inside of q week
and they can be placed on board of The
ship soon after the first OF the month.
She will then be ready to go into conmis-
sion.
The officers at the Navy Department
are reticent about the night work, and
Captain Sampson, Chief OF Ordnance
when asked if II was true that night
force was going TO be put on, declared
that he knew nothing about II. The fact
remains, however, that the electric lights
were turned on in the yard last night,
and the men were set to work both in the
gun carriage mechanism shop and in the
southwest gun factory.
What the meaning Of the sudden move
is can only be inferred; but il Is easy To
see that the Oregon in Pacific waters could
only be used 10 advantage for protecting
American interests in Oriental waters,
since the Indiana, already in commission,
would be much more available for Ven
eZuela, which the Oregon would have to
reach by steaming all the way round the
Horn.
LONDON, Oct 22-Concerning the
ultimatum sent by Lord Salisbury To
Venezuela, the ST. James Gazette says:
Our frontier in Guiana was laid down
long ago. and it would be absurd to ask
that il should he questioned because the
oupidity OF the Nenezuelans has been ex-
cited by the wealth of gold on our side.
The action Of the United states Govern
ment in presenting request for arDltra-
iion is friendly 10 Venezuela and not uE-
friendly 30 US, but an attempt TO enforce
it would be an act of the most unpro-
Yoked hostility. 1t would be sheer folly
and ignorance to drag the Monroe doc
trine into the dispute. IL some Ameri-
cans imagines that Monroeism implies
the general claim of the United States TO
dictate as 10 the relations OF the Euro
pean powers with the Spanish American
republics that is no business OF ours.
Such claim, TO be serious, must go the
whole length of protectoraIe, and that,
tits needless to observe, would be furious
ly resisted by the Americans themselves,
and would, OF course, saddle the United
States with the responsibility OF keeping
them IN order. 1t is absurd 10 suppose
the United states would accept such
burden, and it is TO be hoped the United
States Government does not intend to
send q squadron to Venezuela, as the
presence of hostile force keeping an eye
on our posi- bic nisdeeds would certainly
tend TO produce strained relations
The Times says: Some of our Amerl-
can friends have been too previous In
their interpretations OF the report that
the Marquis OF Salisbury had sent an
ultimatum 10 Venezuela. Lord Sails
bury's dispatch had been sent through
Berlin. Its tenor was not such as TO raise
questions which portion of the Amerl-
can press seems so anxious 10 discuss.
The claim that the right bank OF the
Cuyuni River belongs to them does not
justify the ' enezuelans in an attack upon
the British police. Until their violent act
is atoned for and ample apology is made
they are In position OF having suddenly
removed the dispute from the sphere of
diplomacy and challenged its settlement
by force.
JOHN w. MACKAY, JR.
rrss TunaraI V'onIx IDtao. -.