New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-27
THE VENEZUELAN DISPUTE
rNoLANp's PRETENsIoNs AND THEIR
HISTORY
orr,CrAI. ACTS OF FORMER BRITISH REPRESENT
ArIvEs CONCEDED 10 THE REPUBLIC TER
RrroRY NOW CLAIMED By THEIR

ATlVEs CONCEDED no THE REPUBLIC TER
RIroRY NOW CLAIMED By THEIR
SUCCESSORS
The Venezuelan British Guiana boundary question
bsgan over fifty years but the dispute over the
limits of the two countries aroused no public IN
tsrest either in Europe or America, until a decade
ago when gold found in paying quantities on
the Amacuro, Mazarun and Cuyuni rivers The
Early discoveries OF the Guanas gave fabulous ac-
counts Of their riches and magnhcence more than
three hundred years ago. Kings covered with gold
dust and seated on golden thrones streets paved
with gold among the wonders reported by Sir
Walter Raleigh and his contemporaries but the
wonderful gold mines Of the country waited for an
American for their actual discovery.
Humboldt. of the first to study the country
came TO the conclusion that II would owing 10 It's
geological formation be found be "a great gold
producer. FL Callao, with an output of $50 900 600
has justified his prediction.
This territory originally claimed only by Spain
and Portugal by right Of discovery, is now divided
among Ave nations namely. Brazil. France Hol-
land England and Venezuela. between none of
which are the boundaries settled Before the dis
covery Of the precious metal the settlement Of
boundaries proceeded slowly. and little in
terest shown in the matter: bu: little interest
was given to the country itself. Cayenne WAS
vaguely known French penal settlement.
Fever supposed to kill all who approached its
pestilential shores, and TO be any part of
was regarded as a sentence OF Dansnment, II not
Of death. Surnam. or Dutch Guiana, was cassed
with Cayenne. and English Guiana only known
a few sugar merchants through the importa-
tons OF Demerara crystals.
Now. however, all IL changed e Dorado is
again bone OF contention. History repeats itself.
and the English under Sir Walter Raleigh. tried
80 years ago to the country from the
Spanards 50 to-day do they, under the leadership
Of Lord Salisbury seek to take 1t from the Ven
ezuelans Brazil also has been excited and some
time ago sent Senior Victor de Cunha to Cayenne in
order that her interests in the disputed territory OF
Counam might be protected. This bit of territory.
in which gold has recently been found. lies between
the Ayapock and Counam rivers. and is Inhabited
BY Indians. half-breeu Portuguese and runaway
convicts from Cayenne. Some ambitious people
there. DESTROYS Of holding Office declared the terri
tory free and Independent under the title of the
Republic OF Counam. and one called Gros was made
President. At Paris and Rio Jenero some alarm
felt and expressed in the official journals, but
al Cayenne. where the men well known. a
shrug Of the shoulders the only comment.
Some years ago both France and Holland pro-
hbited the mining OF gold in the contested territory
about the Maroni River until its proprietorship
should be settled. bat mining in spite Of the
prohibition. and the output of the district is greater
than that of any other in the country.
HISTORY OF BRITISH CLAIMS.
The claims of Brazil, France and Holland sink
into insignhcance when compared with those OF
Great Britain. They seek 10 possess themselves OF
small bits OF territory; she would steal State.
AS Great Britain bases her claims to the territory
In dispute upon claims rights and titles of the
Dutch her predecessors, a knowledge OF the dis
covery and colonization OF the Guianas is
sary a proper understanding Of the question.
The discovery OF the country has been variousy
ascribed TO Columbus Q+9s). Vasco de Nunez C50D
and Diego de Sordas Q53l). 1t is certain that Co
lumbus discovered OF the mouths OF the
Orinoco. but he did not ascend the river, that
honor being left for Lops de Aguirre, who
plored it far the falls Of Maypure. and after
ward ascended the principal afiuent the Meta
and crossed the continent About 1860 the Span
iards made number OF settlements along the
Orinoco. and in 1850 the New Freelanders made
their first settlement the Pomeroon River. and
shortly after one at Abari CWaparD. Later still.
they made an attempt 10 form settlement on the
west bank OF the Essequibo. but were attacked and
driven of by the spaniards.
II about this time that Sir Walter Raleigh
made his fourth and last effort ascend the
OrnocO in search Of the king clothed in gold, but
he met with success. and few weeks after the
OF the expedition he beheaded by his
disappointed sovereign.
In 1880 the English ascended the river now known
as the Surnam but their efforts form colony
failed and 1t is 10 the French that is due the honor
Of settling the place known Paramaribo.
the present capital OF Dutch Guiana The French.
however, had no sooner erected few houses than
they. too departed to form the present village Of
Cayenne In 1852 the English returned 10 the coun-
Try from which they had been driven and adopted
the settlement abandoned by the French their
own. and ten years later It and the surrounding
country granted by Charles IL to Lord VIE
SuIinam). in honor OF Lord Surrey. Meanwhile the
Dutch had begun the three settlements afierward
automatically known the establishments Of
Essequlbo. Demerara and Berbce, situated on the
rivers OF the
Surreyham was bought BY the British Government
was 'V given to Holland in exchange for the present
NewYork. At this time Holland claimed all terri
Guiana) and Barlma rivers. although she had no
settlement west OF the Essequibo. On the other
of the Essequibo, and invariably opposed an
armed resistance to AL attempts Of me me- pGtS9 10
year English freebooters destroyed an outpost of
me betfn Tn me 5 eneebtb Se century 10 @
when colonies OF EsSequioo, Demerara and Ber-
bee finally taken possession Of by the Eng
- English and from English to Dutch, and even
the French held them for a time
In 1891 a military post erected by the Dutch on
the Morocco River and known as Fort New,Z I;l
The English meanwhile made a strong light FOR me
hrs1 eoo o1a Of Essequbo DeInerara and
bice we're formally ceded by Holland TO Great
united and called British Guiana (Guayana). such
basis OF all British claims to territory IN the
Now. as all Guiana justly claimed by Spain
IN the first instance by right OF disc9very. any al
be regarded usurpation unless such attempts
aterward legalized BY the consent s Of the King
treaty OF Munster. signed January 80 1913. spain
gave Holland not only independence. for winch
she had been fighting eighty years but also certain
islands In the West Indies ana that part or Guiana
OF which she already possessed or mad colon,
lied eCton OF the Minister treaty is, considered
In the light OF subsequent events. or supreme I'M
portance, as IL prohibited the Dutch from ascend
Ing the rivers from going beyond the limits of their
possessions and from having any trade or commuhi-
cation with the Spanish settlements
There was in the treaty no mention made OF
boundaries or limits. but this neglect was remedied
In the extradt.on treaty Of Arantuez. made pc
tween Spain and the Netherlands Oh June q. 1871.
in which the Dutch colonies were severaLy named
ID III he Of