The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-07-03
WITHOUT JUSTIFICATION.
Arrest Of Engineer Harrison the Eng.
liSh Surveyor.
ACE VEXED DEPARTMENT OFF.
GALS IN WASHINGTON.

Venezu clan Trouble In a Fair Way To Be
Settled In Friendly Manner-Correspon-
dence of Secretary OIney and Sir Julian
Pauncefort Outlin es Plan.
Washington, July 2.-The state depart
mont officials do not conceal certain
irritation in discussing the latest phase
of the Venezuelan boundary dispute,
with Great Britain, growing out of the
recent arrest of Mr.. Harrison's engineer
ing party by the Venezuelan troops. The
department. has been fully informed
from sources, whose accuracy is beyond
question, that the arrest of the English
engineers was without justification in
asmuch as they were strictly within the
limits of the territory of which the Brit
ish have held possession for more than
ten years. Advioes received today are
that the arrest occurred at the confluence
Of the Aoarabis river at point east Of
the Schomburg line.
That the engineers were promptly re-
leased is circumstance which is not
sufficiently satisfying to the British for
eign office If its sentiment be properly
reflected in the London press. The Eng.
lish government will demand an apollo
gy and money indemnity before the
accident shall be regarded as closed.
Coming as 1t does at time when the
Uruan difficulty of year ago was in q
fair way of settlement, it complicates
the situation and will undoubtedly de-
lay that harmonious adjustment of re-
| lations between Venezuela and Great
Britain, which is considered necessary
precedent of the boundary dispute.
The Venezuelan legation is without later
Rdvices from Caracas than tuose printed
several days ago, but the state depart
| ment has used the cables freely in COM
| municating with the United States min
lister at the Venezuelan capital and it is
| not doubted that the embarrassments
which this country must suffer in con-
neotion with the matter have Eeen made
clear to President Crespo.
| The Venezuelan government has been
| fatty informed that Great Britain will
| not be satisfied with the payment of q
small sum of money as compensation for
the arrest of Sergeant Barnes and several
| of the subordlnates a year ago, which
has now become part of the diplomatic
| history of the two countries and known
as the tUruan incident" President
Crespo has been informed that the pun
| ishment of the commander of the depart
mont in which the arrest occurred and
the payment of the indemnity must be
| followed also By an apology which
will 90 further than all other considora-
| tions combined.
| The correspondence between the state
| department. and the British foreign office
with reference to treaty of arbitration
| between the two governments will not
be made public before next fortnight.
While the correspondence is practically
| finished, there are yet several important
letters in transit which must be received
and answered before it is deemed desira-
| BILE that oil the communications bear
ing on the subject shall be given to the
press.
Those who are familiar with the corre-
spondence, assert that it's tone is most
! friendly and that it indicates disposit-
| ion on both sides to agree to some con-
vention which will rslegate anglo-Ame-
rican disputes to friendly board of ar
| bitration.
Tho draft Of the convention can be
quickly prepared and it is expected if
the correspondence shall snow both gov
ernments predisposed to such a settle
ment of their disagresments, that it will
be drawn before Secretary Oluey and
Sir Julian Paunoefote leave the city on
their annual vacations.