The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-16
NO COMPROMISE.
Venezuelan Constitution Prohibits Al
ienating OF Territory.
NEW LIGHT ON The SUBJECT
Showing Where Arbitration
Only Can Prevail.


portant Information on the Venezuelan
question having direct bearing upon the
possibilities OF a settlement OF the boundary
dispute by the two interested governments
without the assistance OF other powers,
and seemingly discounting the probability
OF such an ending 10 the controversy, was
pointed out by Mr. Hcatwole tMinn.), u
member OF the house committee ON for
eign affairs.
The British government, according 20
the most recent and apparently inspired
utterances of its semi-oflicial organs, has
turned To the policy of bringing about a
resumption OF diplomatic relations with
the South American republic, and then
proceeding 10 direct negotiations with the
republic 90 determine the boundary, ~
The most feasible path by which IL can
emerge from its position without q prac-
,ical retraction OF Lord Salisbury's refusal
TO arbitrate.
In the light OF precedcnts established 10y
her most distinguished authorities, IL Is
difficult 10 see how the government Of
Venezuela can consent 10 enter upon any
agreement to compromise her territorial
claims with Great Britain, or, as it has
been suggested By recent London dis
patches. 10 part with any portion OF her
claims for a financial consideration, for no
less an authority than Guzman Blanco
Is on record rs declaring such IA course Ia
DC distinctly unconstitutional.
Mr. Heatwolo, who has given somo at
tention TO the Venezuelan question, has
procured y copy Of an important, docu.
ment, published in 1887 for the govern
inent OF Venezuela, embracing all the cor.
I..,r. .
and those OF Great Britain upon diplo-
matte matters between the two govern
ments from the years 1889 TO 1887. when
the most active efforts TO reach deter
mlnation of the boundary line were under
way.
I'm this correspondence Venezuela re-
pcatcdly aflirms by her minister Of foreign
affairs, Rafael Seijas, and afterward 10y
Guzman Blanco, acting i'm the capacity OF
special envoy that IL is impossible for her
10 compromise the boundary claims by
any trraty or convention. because OF the
terms Of her national legislation. IL was
her adherence TO this position that largely
frustrated the attempts TO arrange gen
eral treaty between the two governments.
and seems to have led TO the severance OF
diplomatic relations in 1887.
Enunciatsd by BIanco.
This propositions was most clearly
enunciated Ivy Guzman Blanco in 1888,
when In a memorandum TO Lord Sails
bury, then foreign secretary, he says:
Venezuela has repeatedly held forth 10 Grca,
Britain her impossibility 90 ALLEVIATE any part
whatever OF the territory Of the republic, such
= thing being explicitly prohibited by the con
stitution: so that there remains but srbtra-
tion for bringing the dispute about the bound
airy TO an end.
This was partly in answer to the British
offer OF lSsl--of compromise boundary
and Ii appears further from the CORE.
spondepce that the Venezuelan govern.
ment of that day regarded any settlement
by treaty involving the relinquishment OF
part of her claims under tho constitutional
prohibition Of alternating her lands.
The correspondence begins with letter
written Oct. Is, 1883. by c. u. Mansfield.
the British minister at Caracas, who says
that he Is instructed by Lord Granville
ito invite the serious attention of the
Venezuelan government 10 the questions
now pending between Great Britain and
Venezuela" and ito state that It is, in
the opinion OF her majesty's government,
desirable that an early settlement OF them
should be arrived at
The questions are stated To be:
First = The boundary between Venezuela
aud British Guiana
Second-The diffcrential duties imposed
OH imports from British colonies.
1hird-The claims of the British credit
ors of the republic.
Mr.. Mansfield also writes: Her
msjesty's government considers the ques.
tons TO which Lord Granville refers
should be dealt with as a whole, and am
instructed 70 say that they attach great
Importance 10 the simultaneous settle.
7ncnt of them
decentralization Cuts No Figure.
Rafael SijGs, minister of foreign affairs.
replies TO the note. cordially accepting the
invitation 20 negotiate treaty, bus Incl
tlentally says
The government was anxious To overcome
by any means whatever the serious difficulty
which the constitution or fundamental law OF
the Republic presents To the celebration of
treaties ON boundaries IL denies most ex
piicitlv 20 ITS high powers the faculty of alien
Ating or making c,sson of the smallest part
of the territory under the recognized domin.
ion Of the republic in no case nor manner
whhtevcr. even 10 IL wcro as an decentralization
in exchange.
Under date OF March %, 1884. Mr.. Mans.
field says that hp Is instructed to state that
his government l. not Of the opinion that
the boundary question should bc referred 10
arbitration, aud replying few days later,
Minister Siias rcailirms his position that
article II of the constitution OF the re-
public forbids all alterations Of territory.
and AS there is "A disagreement between
the two sides as 20 the extent OF territory
belonging 20 each, the decision Of AN ar
bitrator cUuld alone determine whether
the prctcnsions of this country has or has
not any foundation
He rofcr- To- various Instances in which
Great Britain had submitted the question
OF limits Ia arbitrators and asks her to-
without losing sight of the constitutional
situation Of Nenczuela-kndly select ans
point out another acceptable way NJ OBJ
tanning "A settlement Of this difficulty
which the republic 50 anxiously desires.
Mr.. Mansfield, writing April .. 1854.
questioned: Whether district. nbout
the soycreig gnty OF which, since the earliest
iays Of the rcpublc OF Venezuela, there
has existed discussion with a foreign
power h. 10 b. regarded ns forming 80 In.