New-York tribune., 1896-02-07
THE VENEZUELAN SIDE GAIN
SENIOR ANDRADE AMUSED AT COMMAND
ER MARKHAMS ARGUMENT.
GRAVE FLAWS IN THE STATEMENT OF TIE
PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL
soCIETY-THE VENEZUELAN ENI-
Z

sOCIETY-THE VENEZUELAN EVI-
DENcE ALMOST READY FOR THE
UNITED STATES COMMISSION.
Washington. Feb. 6.-Sehor Andradc. the VEN
ezulan Minister amused to-day by the arg'i-
tnent set forth by Commander Clement Markham
president Of the Royal Geographical Society. IN
The Times" OF London. OF England's so-caled IN
disputable rights all the Esseiuioo basin to the
westward Of the already abandoned Schomburgk
line The Minister says the article. coming from
an officer Of the British Government and therefore
given such prominence is so misleading in its con-
clusions which are reached from utterly false
premises. THAI any one who has considered inc
official documents In the would see the absurd-
iy Of H. but the public generally might be apt u
attach importance to the statements wh'h
apparently are inspired by the Salisbury Govern
ment.
Ry the treaty Of Munster OF l6s between Spain
and Holland Spaln's right up the Essequibo was
recognized. and by the treaty OF l'l5 with SPAN
Great Britain obligated herself 10 defend SPAN
provinces as fixed by the Munster convention
with this understanding Commander Markhams ref
ercnce TO the treaty OF lsli takes new lsht direct
y opposite to his assertion. That treaty was De
tween Great Britain and the Netherlands by
which the latter surrendered to The former me
Cape OF Good Hope and the establishment o'
Demerara Essequibo and Berbce
Commander Markhams assertion that IN" e-'a"-
lIShmenf OF ESSFquiDO III inis tta'9 '''N'"''' 80
waters draining into the Essequibo RIVER was 'ho
British contention until Schomburrk threw out
part Of IT and Lords Granville and koscbery
abandoned most OF the remainder
II only rests with Venezuela 10 prove before arhi-
traitors or 10 the Venezuelan Commission appointed
by President Cleveland that the establishments OF
Dcrncrara EssequibO and Bcrbice" small
groups OF Dutch plantations at the mouths Of rivers
OF those names not extending back from the const.
and for the most part not even occupied "a late
Is2a-twenty y-nve years after the treaty. which gave
them 10 England by conquest from Holland The
exact limits and ownership OF all these plantations
are matters Of record upon which Venezuela IL con-
fdont that British aggrcssons. which
cecded until by force In the past fifteen years. Will
be proven unwarranted.
Senior Andrade and all the VENEZUELAN officials have
repeatedly called attention to the significant fact
that while England has forth all sorts Of claims.
been shown Venezuela. the other hand. has
courted a study Of the facts and has ceased
her efforts 10 have the matter investigated by any
impartial tribunal
lish copy OF the official report of Governo:
Light. OF British Guiana. delivered TO Parliament
In 1899. accompa MED by a map Of the Crown sur
VcyOr. showing the exact extent OF all British pos
time. The settlements OF E-Scquibo did not extend
twenty miles above the mouth Of that river.
and confined exclusively TO It's eastern bank IN
territory which Venezuela does not dispute. and
never has disputed Some Dutch plantations. most
Of them abandoned. shown on the Guiana coast
between the Essequbo and Pomaron. but these
confessedly Of doubtful legality AT the time.
The preparation Of Venezuelan evidence for the
Of the Commission appointed by President Cleve-
land Is nearly completed. and 1t viii be presented
In about ten ddyr.