Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-04
VENEZUELAN NATTER
RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR con-
GuEssioNAL COMMITTEE.
Proposition for Inquiry Into Dis
pute with BriUin and Report of
Action to "Preserve Dignity of
United states"

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. December o.
Following is the text Of a resolution In
troduced In the House to-day bY Mr.. Liv-
ingston. Of Georgia.
Whereas. by join, resolution OF Con-
gress. approved February %, 1896, it was
earnestly recommended 10 the favorable
consideration of both parties in interest
that Great Britain and Venezuela should
refer their dispute as to boundaries 10
friendly arbitration. and.
Whereas. the said action OF Con-
gress was by the President Of the United
States, through the proper channel OF
Official communication. courteously and
with kindly intent brought to the atton-
ton Of her Britannia Alajesty's Govern
ment; and.
Whereas, her Britannia Majesty's
Government has failed TO give fair and
prompt consideration 10 the important
request contained In that joint resolution,
or to answer the same in any manner
sucn as was due and becoming 10 the
dignity Of the United States as a great
nation. and 20 the friend relations ex-
listing between the two governments:
and
Whereas. after said communication
had been 80 brought 10 It's attention for
friendly conside ration and action. her
Britannia Malesty's Government. through
its Colonial Secretary. instructed and adj
vised the Colonial Government OF British
Guiana to advance into and take forcible
possession Of certain territory OF Vene-
zuela involved IN the existing boundary
dispute, an act which has been officially
declared ha ba
unfriendly disposition towards these
United States. therefore. be it
JOINT COMMITTEE.
Resolved, by the Senate and House
OF Representatives. in Congress assem-
bled, That a committee. to be composed
OF two senators and three members of
the House Of Representatives 20 be
chosen by those bodies. respectively. be.
ana II Is hereby created, with fnstruc-
lions 10 examine into the facts connect
ed with the boundary dispute between
Venezuela and British Guiana. and as
soon as may be practicable report the
proper action 10 be taken by Congress
to vindicate and preserve the dignity and
rights Of the United States in the
premises"
MIR. Livingston believes that this promo
siton VIII meet hearty responsiveness
ON the part of the Congress lie saws the
JOINT committee may hold its sessions i'm
Washington. and that he himself has i'm
MS possession all the data necessary for
a thorough investigation OF the dispute
lie also has he says "A COPY Of a letter
sent by the London Foreign Office to the
Colonial Secretary of British Guiana av,av
back IN 1870. I'm which the British Premier
SiIes notice TO the British subjects i'm the
colony that they must not cross the
ufuan river, and If SO, that the home
government would not be responsible for
NNIF HlHa.
The obvious construction 10 be placed
upon this letter Mr.. Livingston SAYS. is
that her Alajesty's Government at the
tlhe desired 10 prevent any further en-
croachments by British subjects upon
American soil. Since that time Great Bril-
tain mas projected her boundaries 300
miles 10 the west. This Mr.. Livingston
asserts Is most fragrant violation OF the
Monroe doctrine. and IL is for this reason
that the United States must intervene.
He suggests that the joint committee
snail extend "A courteous invitation 10 the
British Ambassador. Sir Julian Paunce-
tote. and 10 the Venezuelan Minister,
Senior Jose Andrade, TO appear before
them, and 10 furnish the committee with
oitcial statements representing their own
point Of view. Senior Andrade Mr. Iiv-
ingston says. will without question com
ply with the invitation.
WAR If NECESSARY.
And the British Ambassador. suppose
he declines TO attend? What them"
what them quered the Georgia rep
resentative. quickly. "Why. We viii 80
ahead without him. The rights of this
government are concerned I'm the matter.
and II Is our duty 20 see that they are
properly protected, no matter what obsta-
Giles are thrown I'm our path"
Suppose" IL was suggested that this
committee finds the Venezuelan cOnten-
ton 10 be true, that Great Britain has
been encrOaching upon her territory for
half century. What then will Congress
dOg'
Congress replied Mr.. Livingston. sig
nfcanty. knows what ii ought TO do,
and will do IL"
"Wnl Congress go 10 the extent Of de-
claring war against Great Britain If she
does not renOunce the territory in ques-
tiOn2''
Yes. sir. Congress will. / believe that
two thirds Of the Republicans In this
House would favor such a course. and l
know that all the Democrats will. And l
am satisfied that the same sentiment eX-