New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-07

their settlement at san Thome ue Uuay"iii on.
the missions. the Spanards exercised no author
ity OIL domain whatever over the territory
now In dispute 4st. ....
SPAIN ABANDoNs POSSESSIONS.
The third period, 1896 to 1910. opens with
quotation from the report of Spanish Commits
sioner Requena in July 1902. After pointing out
that the territory between the Orinoco and Anna
ION rivers belonged to Spain by right OF as
covery, he proceeds 10 say that the coasts nad
been abandoned by the Spanards for more thah
a century. and that the Dutch and French
had founded colonies on them unopposed Dy
Spain,o He warned the Government that the
Dutch were advancing up the Essequibo' ana
might advance from the Cuyuni and Caroni to
the Orinoco and lake possession OF the lover
part Of that river. This reference to the position
OF the Dutch on the Cuyuni Is another OF the
many instances showing conclusively that their
establishment on the Cuyuni was perfectly well
known to the Spaniards for many years piior 10
1902
A report to the commander of the British
forces In the West Indies In 1902 shows that 'he
Spanish occupation was confined almost entirely
10 the northern bank of the Orinoco. For about
1870 miles from Barima on the right bank there
was no existing Spanish settlement or occupa-
ton OF old Guiana. The original site OF the
unoccupied In 1910 a careful report of the con-
ditien Of Spanish Guiana sent by the Junta
Superior TO the King. fully confirms the previous
statements Of the condition of Spanish enterprise
in the district The report says that the Gov
ernor never took single step toward carrying
out the design to settle the lower part OF the
Orinoco or to establish Spanish village with
fort on the right bank.
In 1910 Venezuela declared her independence
OF the crown of Spain. In 1914 treaties were
made between Great Britain and the Neither
lands The colonies of Essequibo, Demerara
and Berbice were retained by Great Britain.
NEGOTIATIONS at the same time between Great
Britain and Spain resulted In treaty oy
which the Spanish Government engaged that
in the event Of the commerce OF the Spanish
American possessions being opened 10 foreign
nations, British commerce should be admitted
to- trade with those possessions as most Ia
vored nation. Had any question existed OF the
right of Spain. to any portion of the territory
long. known as Dutch colony 1t would nave
been raised then. -. $50
VENEZUBIA'S TERRITORY IN 1927
In 1917 General Bolivar, President OF Colom-
bia. within which Venezuela was then. incor-
porated issued an order from his headquarters
at ,Angostura saying that the Governor OF
ernor Of the fort at old Guayana, but also as
Military Governor Of the Ornoco to its mouth
In 1927 an official report upon the extent ana
situation of the Crown lands Of the colony gave
the, boundary Of the colony. recognized at that
date as follows: On the north. the seacoast
from the mouth Of the river Abari to cape
Barima, near the mouth of the Orinoco. and on
the west line running north ana south Iroih
Cape Barima into the interior
In 1891 In the course of an investigation con-
nected with certain trials for murder the Jurls-
diction. of Great Britain had to be investigated.
The evidence given clearly established that
grants of land had been made for consderaoie
distances up the Essequibo, Massaruni and Guy
uni rivers and that Dutch settlements and forts
extended still further along these rivers 1t was
also shown that In the districts In question the
Crown OF Great Britain exercised all the rights
byswhich nations usually indicate claims over
territorial possessions. and further that there
had been continuous control over the Indians by
the British. About 1881 a report was made by
the second fiscal of the colony TO the Lieutenant
Governor, describing the effective control which
had been exercised over the Indians by their pro-
tectors and the posi- holders. These reports es-
'tablished clearly that the Indian tribes inhabit-
ing the country in submission owed allegiance to
Great Britain During this period missionaries
from time to time visited the various parts of the
colonies. and their reports show that the Spanish
frontier was at the head Of the Cuyuni and Mas
saruni rivers
From the facts detailed in this chapter 1t Is
clearly established that Great Britain. on be,
coming possessOr of the colony, succeeded to all
the rights Of the Dutch. After 1896 Great Britain
extended her settlements and continuously ex-
the Dutch all those rights by which nations usu-
ally indicate claim of territorial possession.
Neither Spain <npr Venezuela, after the latter 3
independence had either possession OF or domln-
ion over the territory In question.
THE sCHOMBURGK PHASE OF 1894
part Of the fourth period after 1910 opens
with an explanation that the first Schomburgk
map in 1889 not Official but an actual line
prepared on the Commissions survey. In 1910
and 1912. 1t came to the knowledge Of the Brit
ish Government that six years before corre-
spondence had passed between the Venezuelan
authorities and the British Consul at Caracas.
In which the latter at the request Of the Brit
ish Vice-Consul at Angostura. proposed to
Venezuela that they erect beacon on Cape
Barima. In order to guide ships in the neigh
borhood of the Orinoco This correspondence
was In no way authorized. The British Gov
eminent had no knowledge Of It until 1t was
communicated to them. Venezuela never re-
turned reply to the proposal. This was a
period Of discussions The first overture was
made by Venezuela in January 1S4l. when. In
reply. the announcement was made Of Schom-
burgk's official appointment to survey the
boundary. and proposition made to negotiate
a treaty to define the. territorial limits. A de-
sire was expressed by Venezuela that the treaty
negotiations should precede the survey for the
demarcation of the frontier. Later Venezuela
demonstrated against Schombursk placing boun-
Diary posts at certain points. The statement here
refers to Minister Fortique's remonstrance and
Lord Aberdeen's reply. resulting in the removal
of Schomburgk's posts 1t quotes Lord Aber-
deems declaration Of January 1892 that the re-
moval Of the posts must not be understood as
meaning that Great Britain abandoned any por-