The herald., 1895-04-04
TIE VEhE7I|EL IN R|N|NDARY
Arbitration Now Seems to Be
the Best Proposition
THE QUESTION OF LIMIT
Discussion of the Matter Had in
Washington
British Foreign Officials Seem Inclined to
Accept the Terms for Arbitration and
Collision Will Be Avoided

WASHINGTON, April 3.-There is rea-
son to believe that the British govern
ment has given our Ambassador, MIR.
Bayard, to understand in response to his
representation in the Venezuelan bound
ary matter on his suggestion that 1T be
submitted to arbitration, that it must
persist to regard the subject as one in
which Great Britain and Venezuela alone
are concerned OF course the idea was
set out very automatically and courte-
ously so as to avoid giving offense as far
as possible while still making it plain
that the United States could not be re-
gaTded as having any proper Interest In
the matter. So, as it stands, the British
government still insists upon its absolute
title and right to occupy all the territory
to the eastward of the Schoomberg line,
while protesting q Willingness to submit
to arbitration its claim to the lands lying
west of that line.
This was the offer made to Venezuela
years ago, and it has not been modlhed
in any respect SINCE Notwithstanding Mr..
Bayard' S effort 1t has been lntimated
that the United States might acquire
right to intervene in behalf of Venezuela
by declaring protectorate over that
country with the assent of this country,
and behind this suggestion is at least one
of the great European countries who
would be glad to have its relations with
the disturbed countries OF South ana
Central America placed on stable basis
so that it might look to some thoroughly
RESPONSIBLE highly civilized government
to ensure the permanency OF trade and
prevent frequent revolutions.
But to concede the necessity for such
protectorate as prerequisite to interfere
to prevent the acquisition of American
territory by an European power would
amount to remuneration of the Monroe
doctrine by the United States. and this
cannot be contemplated by the admins
tration.
There are indications that the British
foreign officials are willing to discuss this
feature of the case with Mr.. Bayard at
length, and so things may drag on for
many months unless collision occurs
between the British and Venezuelan forces
in the disputed territory, or the new MIN
nesota grant forces negotiations by begin
ming operations under the large conces-
sion it has obtained from Venezuela OF
lands in that territory.
The apparent effects of Mr.. Bayard's
efforts are being watched with intense in
terest by all the diplomatic interests OF
the South and Central American countries
stationed in Washington. One al these
representatives, in speaking on the sub
ject. said a majority of South American
republics were staggering under foreign
debts, and were unable longer to meet
their obligations. The question confront
ing these countries is whether the United
States will stand by ana allow the cred
itor nations to collect these debts by
force.
Meanwhile, to strengthen their claim
for protection upon the United States,
there is in progress among the smaller
and weaker republics movement to en-
tangle their interests with our own, so as
to make it matter of deep concern to
our people should any Europeon power
attack them.