New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-18

THE PAPERS IN THE VENEZUELA CASE
SUBMITTED TO THE HOUSE OF LORDS


THE GOVERNMENT GOING SLOW on ACCOUNT OF
THE GREAT INTERESTS INVOLVED.
London July lin the House Of Lords to-
day Lord Salisbury laid upon the table Of that
body the papers relating to the boundary dis
pute between Great Britain and Venezuela.
Lord Salisbury in presenting the documents
said that negotiations between Great Britain
and the United States in regard to the Nenez-
uela matter still in progress. The Govern
ment he added. did not believe that the claim
made by Venezuela was suitable subject for
arbitration. but when the facts in the case as
regarded the past history of Venezuela were
fully ascertained. he thought that the diplo-
matte question involved could easily be adjusted.
Lord SALISBURY stated that concurrently with
the negotiations which were In progress with
the United States i'm regard TO the dispute be-
tween Great Britain and Venezuela, negotia-
lions were also going on between the British
and American Governments contemplating the
establishment OF a scheme OF general arbitra-
ton OF questions which might arise between the
two nations. This however. he said.
matter which required great care and crcum-
spection
He said that he had taken an unusual cours,
in the production thus early Of the papers in
the Venezuela case for the reason that the re-
and the recess Of the British Parliament would
begin soon. 1t had therefore been thought that
1t might be convenient for the House to know
what was going on The negotiations between
the United States and Great Britain were still
incomplete he said but they were advancing
amicably. In pursuing the negotiations the
Government had taken two courses. In the
first and the smaller question with Venezuela.
upon which negotiations had been carried on
with the United States rather than with Verez-
uea. conclusion has az yet been arrived at.
Difficulties had arisen from the fact that the
claim made by Venezuela placed under arbitra-
ton large prOporton-about two-thirds-of
British Guiana including considerable territory
which had been settled great number OF years.
The Government had never thought that the
question Of the ownership of that territory
ought to be arbtrated. In respect of unsettled
territory, the Government had always been Will
ing to arbtrate, but 1t necessary to dis
tinguish between the two. The Governments
views had been that at this stage arbitration
was not suitable remedy. The first thing
to ascertain the real facts respecting the past.
1t was impossible To proceed any faster than
they had done. because they had not yet OBJ
tanned the full facts necessary to the adjustment
OF the case The labor involved had been
enormous.
Lore Salisbury announced that the Govern
ment would soon place upon the table Of the
House another Blue Book in regard to Venez-
uela which would enable the House to see the
extent Of the labors OF the Government in the
matter When the facts were ascertained he
said. it would probably be easy TO settle the
matter If not, 1t would still be perfectly easy
to settle the particular issues at stake Concur
rent with these negotiations. Lord Salisbury con-
inn 06 he az ha
tiatons which were begun during the time Of the
Ministry of Lord Rosebery upon the question
OF general arbitration. which were terminated
partly in consequence of the lamented death
OF one OF the negotiators and partly owing to
the difficulty. which had not yet been sur
mounted OF dealing with cases so large and
affecting interests vital that statesmen
thought twice before deciding.
There had been much discussion with the
United States upon those points. He thought
the tendency OF the GovsSnment OF the United
States WAS to desire rapid and summary de-
csion. In the view of the Government. as the
principle OF obligatory arbitration was to be
applied for the first time, 1t would be attended
with considerable hazard and doubt. In his opn-
ion circumspection and careful procedure were
desirable. Some machinery for appeal ought
also to be provided for protest In ono form or
another, in order to prevent a misca rriage Of
justice to the great possible detrment OF the
large population Of the British Colonies through
any error on the part Of the arbitrator
one difficulty how ,ver pressing upon
them He did not know how far the obligatory
arbitration system would give rise to speculative
claims. The answer Of the United States was
that such claims were not likely to arise be-
tween the United States and Great Britain
There was no doubt, he said. that. to Il certain
extent. this was true. but IT must not be forgot
ten that in recent years the United States had
shown a disposition to adopt the cause OF the
many republics OF South America. He did not
quarrel about that. however. as that was what
Great Britain had done In regard TO the frontiers
OF Sweden. Poland, Belgium and Portugal
Great Britain would not deny that the United
States had the same right. That rendered II
possible for the claims OF h Powers to be-
come matters for arbitration. Therefore the
Government had To exercise a very considerable
degree of caution. The Government, he said
had been reproached for their delay. but he