Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-26
ENGLAND AND VENEZUELA
Modification of Great Britain's Claim Grow
ing Out of the Uruan Incident
No Change of Venezue1a's Attitude
Upon the General settlement of
the Boundary Question.

1t is regarded as probable that there will
be satisfactory settlement between Eng
land and Venezuela of the trouble growing
out of the Uruan incident. There is ground
for the belief that England has modified
the terms OF her demand Of damages for
the arrest Of Guianan police by Venezuelan
authority. The first demand was based
upon the claim OF violation of territory by
the Venezuelan authorities in making the
arrest. This claim involved the whole
boundary dispute in as much as the exist
ence Of damages was made dependent upon
the validity Of the British claim to the ter
ritory in which the arrest occurred. Tor
this reason the Venezuelan government re-
fused to recognize the demand. which was
made through the German minister to Ven
ezuela.
The Demand Modified.
There are reasons to believe that the de-
mand has been so modified as to make the
claim not dependent upon the territorial
question, but as to place it on the general
ground Of damages to British subject,
which might be claimed if the arrest had
occurred anywhere within the undisputed
territory Of Venezuela. This modification
will make it possible for Venezuela to can-
slider the claim without compromising her
position as to the boundary dispute.
w QSn lne arrest occurred Il CID III was
made for damage to household goods and
Venezuela promptly paid the small amount
claimed in the case OF one individual 1t
was then said that there were other dam
ages OF character to make valid claim
regardless of the question Of territorial
jurisdiction, but the amount of the claim
was never stated. 1t is agreed by VeneZ-
Cela that circumstances m ght exist under
which an arrest of foreigner even in
Caracas might involve damages. With the
claim made for damages on account Of the
Uruan affair modified SO as to exclude the
territorial question, they will be ready to
take up the question and give an oppor-
unity for it to be shown if any damages
We're incurred, and if so, how much.
The matter being presented In this new
aspect VIII, 1t is believed, greatly facilitate
a peaceable settlement Of the whole Ven
eZuelan question.
In this connection it may be said with
authority that there has been no change in
the attitude of Venezuela, either in the
direct matter Of the settlement of the
boundary question or In that Of opening up
diplomatic relations with Great Britain.
Neither Is there understood to be any effort
on the part Of the United States to induce a
change Of position. 1t is only upon an en-
tire change Of the grounds of the damage
claim in the Uruan affair that the British
demand will be considered, and only Upon
Great Britain signifying willingness to
enter into negotiations fer the arbitration Of
the whole boundary questio will diplomatic
relations be resumed Attention is called
to the fact that Venezuela has held cut
against Great Britain heretofore, when this
country was not taking any active part in
the matter, and the suggestion is made that
Venezuela would not be apt to change to
less hrm position, now that the United
States has taken a hand to enforce the Mon
roe doctrine, and all the sister republics are
in sympathy.
The talk about a joint commission has
rot excited any interest among those in
formed on the subject here, and no settle
ment directly between Great Britain and
Venezuela is expected before the compile
ton Of the work Of the United States COM
mission. The statement that Great Britain
as well as Venezuela, will be represented
before the commission by special agent
to see that the British side of the question
is properly presented Is confirmed. This
indicates disposition to await the report
Of the commission before entering into di-
rect negotiations for settlement.
Favorable Aspect In the Case.
The favorable aspect in the case Is found
In the evidence Of strong sentiment in
Great Britain in favor of arbitration, which
Is expected to have some influence upon
Lord Salisbury, and in the alleged modifi-
cation, Of the Uruan claim and in the quail
tfed participation In the work Of the COM
mission.