New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-14
IN BEHALF OF VENEZUELA.
MORE EVIDENCE SUBMITTED TO THE
BOUNDARY COMMISSION.
AN OFFICIAL REPORT SHOWING ENGLANps AL
LEGGED EAGERNEss TO OCCUPY THE DIS
PUTED TERRITORY AFTER GOLD
HAD BEEN DISCOVERED.

HAD BEEN DlSCONEtfD.
Washington. March 13-The Venezuelan Minister
has been informed by cable from his Government
that the first instamen of official evidence for the
consideration of the Boundary Commission left La
Guayra on the steamer Philadelphia on March TO-
and Is due TO arrive in New-York next Iuesuay.
The documents relate exclusively to the period
near the close OF the eighteenth century. They
are taken from the royal Spanish archives, and
have not heretofore been accessible TO Great
Britain or at least are not quoted in the British
Blue Book. They put forward to demonstrate
the inadmissiby Of the Dutch claim to any terri
tory west Of the EsseQuibo large number or
authenticated official maps covering the same
period, are included Of which have heretofore
been produced, as no occasion for their presen-
taton has occurred.
Minister Andrade has also been Informed that
the records OF the Venezuelan Legations at Rome.
Madrid London and Paris contain many docu-
ments bearing on the controversy. and these will
all be placed at the Commissions disposal in a
| short tme-those from Paris. Rome and Madrid In
few weeks
The agents OF Venezuela have presented TO the
Commission. among other documents. the Official
report Of the Minister OF the Interior at Caracas 10
the Ministry of Foreign Relations. dated May g.
1890 consisting of forty printed pages. covering the
radical advances of the British Colonial officers
into the disputed territory. following the rich dis
coveres OF gold from 1885 TO 1890. as investigated
by National commission appointed by Venezuela
TO make a scientific exploring expedition In Guianan
territory. The elaborate report OF this Commission
is now for the first time disclosed. and shows. ac-
cording the testimony of British magistrates and
others in the territory. that late as 1888 no
British settlement existed even as far west as the
Pumaron River. AS late as 1883 the settlements
referred to by the English as the recently
acquired district" and the Colonial Government is
shown TO be exerting its authority in every way 10
rush immigrants into the Interior It's success in
degree being shown by these figures OF gold
exports 1885, 939 ounces: 1856 6.51s ounces: 1887.
II 900 ounces 1885, 1850 ounces; and for the first six
months OF 1889. 14.62i ounces.
These documents. and especially those relating to
Venezuea's formal protest against the surpation.
seem 10 place Viscount Gormanston Governor OF
British Guiana. In the light OF suppressng the
facts although 1t is shown that he was in con-
slant communication with Lord Salisbury. Testi-
mony is adduced TO demonstrate that the British
authorities We're most generous to The indians.
interior deserted by Nenezuelans, who were at
tracted by British Establishments TO the coast set,
Elements The publication has been submitted
without argument. Venezuela relying altogether
upon the simple statement OF facts.
1t appears from the Venezuelan official report that
the expedition was sent gu, because Venezuela be-
came alarmed lest the British should attempt to
seize the entire Ornoco River and prevent the Re-
public from using the stream in any way. The Brit.
ish Colonial Governor Niscount Gormanston. had
pushed his personal exploration incognio as far as
the Venezuelan city Of Angostura. or Ciudad Boil
var. 25O miles up the Orinoco and was most ener-
geic in establishing military outpos;s through the
interior. The chief OF the commission II. F. Saijas,
formerly Venezuelan Minister 10 England. found
everything TO confirm the most serious fears OF his
Government. and only through his energetic protests
the Colonial Governor and the activity OF Nenez
uelan Ministers abroad the policy Of boundary
extension temporarily allowed TO rest by Lord Sails
bury. These extracts from the report which
verified by accompanying documents show tho state
of affairs the time and give interesting insight
into the methods pursued 10 populate the country:
In 1888, as Mr.. Thurn. special magistrate OF tho
Pumaron District. afirms. there was no sign Of hu-
man habitation at Barima. but there are now more
than fifty fourshing English settlements. with the
prospect Of the number increasing. One hundred
and twenty miles from the lower part OF the river
In December 1sSs he could barely discern the prob
ability Of the discovery of gold In the district; but
three months later II was found In consider
able quantities
'Barma and Amacura. he says. arc being popu-
lated rapidly. The dailies OF the colony published
petitions for grants OF gold placcrs at both points
and at the Potoro: spectators organized cIpedi-
tons; the banks OF Georgetown loaned money and
advanced II on shipments Of gold. the Government
provides transportation. and day by day news comes
OF the discovery OF richer gold fields With all these
things, threatened with losing also the right
bank Of the Amacura. and seeing the English
occupying great part OF the banks OF the Orinoco:
for upon discovering single grain OF gold on said
coast they will not hesitate second 10 take that
territory. encourage immigration and correct maps
THE English, who very experienced colon
have found therein the medium % rapidly populating
the usurped lands. Posts which were formerly in
significant to-day important villages, with a
large number Of Iaborers where there police
agents fiscal employees. schools. missionaries and
teachers"