The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-03
sCHOMBURGK LINE WORTHLESS.
England Con e-Sed This and Removed
the Posts Long Ago.


London. Jan. 3-The special correspond
ent OF the Chronicle telegraphs TO his pa
per this morning the official correspond
ence. hitherto unpublished, between the
governments of Great Britain and Nene-
zuela during the period from November.
1910, when Sir Robert Schomburgk vas ap
pointed commissioner by the British gov
eminent 10 survey the western territory
Of British Guiana. and April. 1872, when
England finally removed the boundary
posts which he had set at various points
in that territory to form the so-called
Schomburgk line.
1t appears from the correspondence that
on October 5. 1s4l, Senior Fnrtuque. Nene-
zuelan minister in London. wrote 10 Lord
Aberdeen, secretary OF state for foreign
affairs. expressing surprise at the erection
Of British sentry box upon Venezuelan
territory. and urging the necessity of en-
terng upon treaty of boundary az a pre-
vious step 10 the fixation Of limits.
Lord Aberdeen replied to this on October
81 saying he had received Mr.. Robert
Sch0mbuFgk's report. 1T appears" Lord
Aberdeen continued. that Robert Schom-
burgk planted the boundary posts at GER
tain points in the country he surveyed, and
that he was fully aware that the demar-
katon 80 made was a mere preliminary
measure open to future discussion between
the governments of Great Britain and
Venezuela. But it does not appear that
Mr. Schomburgk left behind any guard
house or sentry box or building bearing the
British flag"
Senior Fortuque replied 10 This on No
vember IS. asserting that ''Mr. Schom-
hurgk doubtless overstepped his iustruc-
tons by planting at a point at the mouth
Of the Orinoeo several posts bearing the
queens initials and he has raised the Brit
ish flag at the same place with a show Of
TIa q SOW
eral other acts of dominion and govern
ment." Senior Fortuque reminded Lord
Aberdeen that Venezuela had not received
an answer 10 her proposal 10 nrbtrate tho
boundaries before Mr.. Schomburgk started
aad that by an act OF extreme courtesy
10 the British government Schomburgk
had not been forcbly expelled.
No reply being received. Senior Fortuque
again. on December s. addressed Lord Ab-
erdeen, insisting upon the conclusion OF 4
treaty for the removal OF Mr. Schom-
burgk's posts. protesting against the de-
lay. and quoting promise made by The
governor OF British Guiana to Nenezuela's
commissioner that no forts should be erect
cd or troops sent into the disputed terri
tory.
Lord Aberdeen broke the silence on Ne
cenber II, confirming the Schomburgk line
as a mere preliminary measure. and Oh
iectiDg TO the removal OF the posts. which
afford the only tangible means by which
Great Britain IS prepared TO discuss the
boundary" lie continued: These posts
were erected FOR that purpose. and not. as
the Venezuelan government appears 10 sp-
prehend as Indications OF dominion and
empire on the part OF Great Britain"
Senior Fortuque. on January 10 1872. re-
grets that he - obliged 10 again insist up
on the removal Of the posts. and he pre-
diets that their non-renoval will give rise
20 disorders He points 20 the example
OF Venezuela and the United States OF Co
iomh,a. which first made a boundary trea-
" ard then deumitei the territory.
The Chronicle correspondent then
quotes Lord Sahsbury's dispatch TO Secre-
tary Olney 70 the effect that these posts
were removed on the distinct understand
ing that Great Britain ala not thereby
abandon her chains 10 that position. and
IN this connection he gives two docu-
ments from the governor OF British Gui-
ana dated Demarara. on March 1a. 1St2
and one from M. O'Lcary, British consul
At Caracas. dated April :. 1St2. both ex-
pressing the hone that all ground Of re-
nloustrance vii! 81 removed by Grea.
BritaIn's concession OF the removal Ct
tire ScbonehurEk's landmarks from IA
rirns and elsewhere.
The correspondent says. 'Ohse rye that
taerc S. no word Indicating the condltion
asserted ~ Lord Salisbury. II the fore
going documents are genuine. ana their
source excludes any suspicion % the cor
trary. then the Schamburvk line Is proved
worthless IS a bass for any territorial
claims.