The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-03

| and suggesting that the explorations that
Mr.. Schomburgk had made might be
used advantageously.
What bearing of any sort this letter
can properly have upon the controversy.
except to show that Great Britain
thought, in 1870 that schomburgk's ex-
plorations and suggestions contained the
true basis for determining the boundary.
we are at loss TO know.
The second leuer-from Lord Aberdeen
TO the Venezuelan Minister, written In
lsi2-is SO entirely foreign to the purposes
for which Mr. Lodge cited II that We
feel We mast quote it in full. 1t is as
follows.
Foreign Office. January 81 l42.
The undersigned. her MaJestys princi-
pal Secretary Of state for Foreign Al
fairs, has the honor 10 acknowledge the
receipt Of the note addressed 20 him on
the 10Th instant by MIR Fortiqne. pleni-
potentiary OF the Republic of Nenezuela,
representing the alarm ana excitement
which have been created ~ Venezuela on
account Of the marks fixed by Mr. Schcm-
burgk al different points Of his survey
near the mouth of the OTinOcO, ana re-
newing his request that her Majesty
Government viii order the renewal OK
these marks.
The undersigned begs to inform Mr..
Fortique in reply that I'm order 10 meet
the wishes Of the Government OF Nene-
zuela, her Majesty's Government VIII
send instructions 10 the governor OF
British Guiana directing him 10 remove
the posts which have been placed oy
Mr. Schomburgk near the Orinoco.
But the undersigned feels 70 his duty
distinctly TO declare to Mr. tortiqre
that. although IN order TO put an END
10 the misrepresentation which appears 10
prevail i'm Venezuela with regard 10 the
object of Mr.. Schomburrk's survey. inc
undersigned has consented 10 comply
with the renewed representations OF DIT.
Forfique upon this affair. her Majesty
Government must not be understood lp
abandon any portion of the rights o.
Great Britain over the territory when
was formerly had by the Dutch III
Guiana.
The undersigned begs 10 renew 10 MT
Fortiquc the assurance of his high con-
sideration./ AbEl'bhi--N'
This letter is what Mr. Olney and the
other Jingos rely upon to show thai
Great Britain practically conceded, IN
1872. that Schombwgk had started his
line on the Oriuoco. IN Venezuelan ter
ritory If II is anything more than
statement that she would, for the mo-
ment, suspend her claim. hut without
preju lice to it. we are unable TO under
stand the English language.
The third letter-from Lord Aberdeen
TO the Venezuelan Ministor-written in
1874. ifs nothing but @ proposal for a
compromise. which would start the Eng
fish line on the Atlantic coast some miles
below the mouth Of the Orinoco river
But il does not contain a suggestion
that Great Britain has the slightest doubt
about schomburgk's line being the cor
rect one. II is a proposal for COM
promise Of the dispute ia which Eng-
land would yield something and Nene-
zue.a would yield something. Now, why
should Mr. Lodge scan and quote these
letters TO show bad faith upon England's
part? They were letters which it was
as natural as possible her officials should
write at the time they were written, and
I'm perfect conformity. az the same time
with a belief that the true line was
what 10 IS now claimed 10 be. Why
should he not rather have quoted them
to show that Engiand's position had al
ways been exactly what it now Is, and
that they powerfully contributed to the
theory therefore that The claim made
by Holland in 1863 was founded in the
true state of the case. The commission
which the President has appointed is
an exceptionally capable one. and We
predict that when it reports il VIII de-
clare that England's position is right
What Will the Jingos have to say if st
does 50 report?