New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-20
ENGLAND AND VENEZUELA.
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISPUTE BE-
TWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES.

Is THE MONROE DOCTRINE on TRrAL7-A STORY
of pRIrlsu AGGRESSION IN SOUTH AMER
IcA-rxw1rLiNG TO ARnITRATE HER
rREPosTEToUs CI.AIMs-wIIAT
WILL BE THE POSITION or
THE UNITED STATES?
Washington. May 10 (spcciaD.-On the northeast
crn shores Of the South American Continent eX-
tending westward and southwark from the Atlantic
ocean and the Gulf of Paria to the Orinoco River
and the watersheds OF the Amazon is vast ex-
nanso CT rich and beautiful though as yet but
sparseiy populated country. known as the Guianas
A portion OF this territory belongs TO England.
as the successor to the title OF Holland. much
larger and desirable portion OF it belongs to
the Republic of Venezuela. as the successor to the
title of Spain. But the precise boundary between
the two ancient possessions, although inferape
from historical facts. never definitely fixed by
treaty: and now after the lapse of many decades.
Venezuela and Great Britain are in n dispute when
has interrupted their friendly intercourse Not
only have their diplomatic relations been sus-
pended since 1887 but the persistent agSressions or
the stronger power upon the territory and J'iris-
diction Of the weaker have reached a point which
directly threatens the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of one or the
Spanish American republics and indirectly men
aces the sovereignty and territorial integrity o, at
lcas. two others
Venezuela. as a colony Of SPAIN declared her in
dependence in 1910. and nine years later united
with two other Spanish colonies (New-Granada
md Ecuador in the formation Of the old Colon
bian Federal Union which was formally recognized
as az Independent nation by the United states In
100 ard aftcrwarl by all the Powers of the world
Subsequently, in 1891 when the old Colombian
Union had peen dissolved. Venezuela became a
separate and Independent republic. and was In due
course recognized in that capacity by the United
States and by all the Powers, including Spain. in
the treaty Of recognition by Spain. in lSi5. the
.l-,tian hain M
constituting the old colonial Captancy General OF
Venezuela If 1910, were coded. each specifically and
by name to the new republic. But neither in TINS
treaty OF recognition nor in the fundamental law
OF either the old the new republic Is there any
mention Of exact boundary lines. I, Is merely
stated. In general terms. that the boundaries are
"the same as those which marked the ancient
Vceroyalty and Captaincy- General OF Ncw-Gia-
NADIA and Venezuela in the year 1910"
There is equal Indebtedness as TO boundary In
the cession of Dutch Guiana to England by the
United Netherlands in 1874 BY the treaty OF that
date England agreed to restore to Holland AL
the colonies factories and establishments that
were ",n tho actual possession OF the latter IN
1908" with the exception Of the Cape or Good Hope
and 'the establishments OF Demerara Essequho ana
Berbice" These to be disposed OF by supple
mental agreement comfortable 10 the mutual
convenience and interests of both parties And
by the terms of that agreement the Siates-ieneral
ce.ed 70 England 1.-THE Cape of Good Hope ana the
establishments OF Demerara and Berbice. on the
condition tina, the Dutch should retain the RICH
freely TO navigate and trade between these places
md the territories OF the Netherlands in Europe.
But there is no mention OF boundaries 10 the Dutch
possessions OF Dcmcrara, ESseGulbo or BerDice-the
three settlements which constitute the present
British Guiana
Fortunately. however. the limits OF those settle
mcnts are not left 10 mere conjecture; FOR their
boundaries may be pretty accurately inferred from
the contemporary diplomatic history
SPANS TITLE TO THE GULANAS
That the entire territory OF the Guianas orig
inally belonged 70 SPAIN In virtue OF her RICH, "a
the first dscovcrer. hardly admits OF doubt \
Spanish subject. Don Alonzo dc oJ'la sailing
under royal commission, was the first discovrr'r'
In 1909 In 1900 Dor Vicente Yanez riuzon. an
other Spanish subject. the first TO explore the
delta of the Ornoco. In 1881 Don Diego de Orda2.
another Spanish subject the first TO oxp'or"
the Orinoco River. which he assembled IA far as the
mouth OF the Meta. Subsequently the coast be-
tween the mouths II the Orinoco and Essequibo
rivers. and also the Ornoco Valley as iar up as
the site Of the present city Hof Bolivar were
partlally colonzed by Spanish subjects who like
wise established Christian missions among the
aboriginal tribes IN the interior.
Now IL is an admitted principle. sanctioned by
usage and consistently maintained by the United
States that continuity furnishes just founda-
ton for a claim OF territory in connection with
those Of discovery and occupation" That Is TO
saw the discovering nation Is not limited IN It's
claim 20 the particular spot discovered or occu-
MED Thus IN the case OF island. tho discovery
or occupancy Of a part includes the whole. In the
case of a river the discovery or occupancy OF its
channels and banks extends TO the entire region
drained by IL. But II this principle be admitted
az IL must be- then II clearly establishes Spain =
rightful claim TO all the Guianas drained by the
Ornoco and It's tributaries 1t does more than
this For II we admit the rightfulness OF Eng
lands successful contention with France In 17o3-
namely that "by reason Of continuity. the British
possessions on the Atlantic Coas; of Canada ez-
tend in corresponding width to the Pacific Ocean
we shall have TO admit the original right OF Spain
10 the whole OF the present Guanas.
But some years after the discovery and cxpiora
ton Of the Orinoco Valley. the Dutch obtained "A
foothold on the Atlantic coast cas-, Of the Ess"-
ouibo River and established trading posts meant
the site OF the present city Of Georgetown. 1t Is
true that at that time the independence OF the
Netherlands though recognized by other Powers.
had not been acknowledged by Spain and Holland
AS n dependency Of Spain. could not acquire this
territory in her own right. But by the treaty OF
peace and recognition OF lGs uaualy referred TO M
,the treaty OF Minister" each Of the parties (Spain
and Holand) were 20 remain In possession OF the
countries then in actual possession Of each in
America and in the West Indies" This gave 70
the Dutch legal title to their de facto possessions
in Demerara: but II likewise prohibited. by neces-
sary impiica ton. any extension OF their settlements
II ia manifest theref )re. that the dividing line be
tween the two possessions in 1915 wherever that
may have been. is the present rghtful boundary
between Venezuela and British Demerara. since
there have been 10 subsequent concessions OF terri
tory England.
Again by the treaty II l7l3. Great Britain cove
nanted to laid tire spanarjs 10 recover their
n a Al