The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-08
VENEZUELA BLUE BOOK.
rRE BRITISH GOVERN MENT ISSUES
A STATEMENT or ITS CASE.
II A Claimed That Dutch Settlements In
the Disputed Territory Annotated
Spa pish Settlements.

tonight The volume consists OF 4fS
folio pages. with separate book con-
tanning nine maps. The book opens with
forty pages. comprising a preliminary
statement dealing with the history OF tho
territories from 1920 until the issuance OF
her Majestys memorandum TO venezuela
in March. 1880 The book is divided into
historic periods. from the earliest time TO
IssS f~on iggs 20 1895 and from 1895 10
1870 After that period references are
made TO various claims and dispatches.
and the report concludes with brief
summary.
PURPOSE OF THE BOOK.
The preliminary matter is summarized
as follows:
"rhe purpose OF the present statement.
the book says. is TO explain IN general
outline tho position OF Great britain IN
the lorg-pending dispute with NoseHuei"
as regards the boundary between British
Guiana and that country. The territories
now known as British Guiana ana Nehe-
zuela had been discovered before l'1v,
Between the date OF their discovery ana
IesS the Spaniards and the Dutch occu-
pied portions Of this territory. the extent
of such occupation by each country 10
be a matter OF consideration.
an 1850 the united provinces OF the
Netherlands threw of their allegiance
IN the SPANISH crown and war ensued,
which lasted almost uninterrnptediy for
seventy years In January, lo4S, peace
was concluded by the treaty Of Munster,
by which Spain acknowledged the mae
pendencc OF the Netherlands and the TWO
countries. respectively. confirmed their
then possessions on the South American
Continent. From 1GiS 10 1896, with the
exception OF the interval between lIsl
and 1883. the Dutch remained in posses
sion OF the territory they had occupied
prior to the treaty of Munster. and ex-
tended their settlement within 1t.
I'm 1876 the territory now known az
British Guiana was acquired by Grea'
Britain That acquisition was recog-
nized and confirmed by treaty con-
Guided in 1895. I'm 1910 Venezuela re-
volted, but her Independent existence,
apart from the United State of Colombia,
by which she was for "A time merged,
did not commence until 1890. and was not
formally recognized by Spain until 1s4j.
it is therefore held that the following
conclusions have been clearly established;
THE SUMMARY.
First, that prior TO 1890 the Dutch
had established themselves on the coast
of Guiana.
Second. that prior TO 1896 the Spaniards
had established no settlements in Guiana.
Third. That by 1siS the Dutch settle
ments I'm Guiana extended along the coast
the whole way from the river Maroni
to the Barima and inland TO various
points in the interior. upon the rivers
Essequio, Cuyuni, Pomeroon, Waini and
Barima. and their tributaries.
Fourth That up 10 1873 the only set
Element of Spaniards in Guiana was San
Thome de Guayana. on the south bank
of the Orinico. originally founded in 1896.
as IL is shown on the sketch map.
Fifth. That between 113 and 1926 the
only additional settlements founded by
Spaniards I'm Guiana were those estab-
lished by the Capuchin missions south OF
the Orinco In the direction of the river
Yururi and two villages on the upper
Orinico several hundred miles above San
Thome de Guayana.
sixth. That Dutch occunation to the
extent above indicated was perfectly well
known in Spain, and that the attempts of
the Spanish to dispOssess the Dutch had
wholly failed.
Seventh. That subsequently TO 1896
Great Britain has continuously remained
in possession, and her subjects have oc-
cupied further portions of the territory
to which the Dutch established the title"
Prom the first settlement to 1915
the report continues. 1.-The Dutch appear
TO have been the first, and this state
inert is supported by an exhaustive his 1
tory of the different attempts at occu-
patton Of the disputed territory by the
Dutch. Spanish. and British"
Coming 10 the more recent history
of the dispute the report says:
LAST NEGOTIATIONS.
"As regards the negotiations instituted
by Venezuela in 1890 and 1893 for re-
newal of diplomatic relations and a set
Element OF the boundary dispute. ii is
omy necessary here 10 say that they
failed of successful results, owing 10 the
persistence Of the Venezuelan negotia-
tors in asserting claim TO all the terri
tories as far as the Essequibo or its inn
mediate neighborhood.
'"rhe above examination shows that the
main grounds upon which the claim of
Venezuela is supposed to be based. so
far as has been presented to Great Bri-
tain at different times during the lap
TIT! years. have been as follows:
"Pirst. the original discovery and the
first exploration Of the South American
Continent by Spain, which are clearly
Irrelevant
Second. the bull Of Pope Alexander VI.
which cannot be considered as having any
real bearing upon the question.
Third. the allegation that the occupa-
ton of Guiana by the Dutch was VIC
lation OF the treaty of Munster.
"This allegation has been shown TO be
unfounded.
Fourth. possession and occupation by
the Spau!ards of tho territory south of
the Orinoco. including the rivers Barima,
Morocco. and Pomcroon.
SPANISH SETTLEMENTS.
1T has been shown that the only Span
ish settlements there at any time were
San ThOme De Guyana, which was sit
uaied on the south bank of the Orinoco,
and which had been moved from time TO
time higher up the river. and IL was
destroyed by the British and Dutch sue
cessivey, and the Capuchin settlements
situated between the Orinoco and the
Tumerimo. "a has been previously describ-
ed.
Fifth. that the Dutch had never had
any possessions north OF the Essequibo.
This statement has been shown to be
equally erroneous as perusal OF the whole
diplomatic correspondence VIII show that
the British Government while insisting
that the just claims Of Great Britain
would entitle her 20 "A boundary embracing
practically the whole watershed OF the
Essequibo. the Cpyuni, the luruan' the
Poneroon. the Waini, ana the Barlna' mas
been willing 90 agree 10 boundary WIN
IN those limits which would give Vene-
zuela far more territory than that 10 "hlch
she can show any title.
sF'rom the 81 mmarv given OF the fore
going chapter. II will be seen that Great
Britain while maintaining her Just rights.
has consistently shown desire 20 make
a fair arrangement with Venezuela AS Ia
boundary. and that the claim Of Nene-
n hn