The record-union., 1896-01-03

LONDON, Jan. "A special repre-
sentative of the Daily Chronicle,
who is now in Washington, cables to
that paper that he has obtained from a
source, which he is compelled not to
reveal, the official unpublished cores
pondence by Great Britain and Vene-
zuela between November, 1910, when
Sir Robert Schomburgk was appointed
to deliminate the frontier of British
Guiana, and April, 1912, when Eng
land removed the boundary posts set
up by Robert Schomburgk. In October,
1S41, Senior Fortique, Venezuelan Min
lister to Great Britain, wrote to Lord
Aberdeen, Colonial Secretary of State
in the Cabinet of Sir Robert Peel, re-
ferring to Venezuela's proposal to con-
clude a treaty on the boundaries, and
protesting that before the proposal was
answered a sentry box, carrying a
British flag, had been built on the re-
public's territory.
Senor Fortique again urged that a
boundary treaty be entered upon.
Lord Aberdeen replied that he had re-
ceived Sir Robert Schomburgk's re-
port that he had planted boundary
posts at certain points in the country
he had surveyed, being fully aware that
the demarkation so made was merely
a preliminary measure open to future
discussion between Great Britain and
Venezuela. 1t did not appear, how
ever, that Sir Robert Schomburgk had
left any buildings.
Senior Fortique replied that Sir Robert
Schomburgk had planted at the mouth
of the Orinoco River several posts. He
hnd aIc oa TQ7afff fcJo ,,
much show of force, and performed
other acts of dominion in Venezuela
Extreme courtesy alone prevented
Venezuela from forcibly expelling him
After some delay Lord Aberdeen re-
piled to Senior Fortique, confirming his
previous statement, and adding that
much unnecessary inconvenience would
result from the removal of the posts as
they would afford the only tangible
means by which her majesty's Govern
ment could be prepared to discuss the
question of boundaries with Venezuela
The posts were erected for that purpose,
and not, as Venezuela appeared 10 ap-
prehend, as indicating dominion.
In the same dispatch Lord Aberdeen
expressed pleasure at learning that the
Governor of Guiana had assured the
Venezuelan emissaries that Great Brit
ain had not occupied Point Barima
In January, 1912. Senior Fortique
again wrote to Reinsist upon the re-
moval of the posts.
The Chronicle" then quotes from the
second note of Lord Salisbury to Secre-
tary Olney the words: 'At the earnest
entreaty of the Venezuelan Govern
ment these two posts were afterwards
removed, as stated by Mr. Olney, but
this concession was made on the dis
tinet understanding that Great Britain
did not in any way abandon her claim
to that position"
The Chronicle" also quotes from the
two documents in which the discussion
was made. The first document consists
of dispatch sent in March, 1912, by
Henry Light, Governor of Guiana, to
Daniel O'Leary, British Consul at Ca
racas, stating that the Colonial Secre-
tary had ordered the Governor to re-
move the landmarks. The other docu-
ment is a dispatch from Mr.. O'Leary to
the Venezuelan Government containing
the substance of Governor Lights dis
patch.
The Chronicle" remarks that moth
ing indicates the condition asserted by
Lord Salisbury, and adds: IF the
above documents are genuine, and their
source excludes suspicion, the Schom-
burgk line is proved worthless as a
basis of any territorial claim what
ever"
Commenting editorially on the sub
ject, the Chronicle says: 1--WE are
bound to say, assuming, as we are
bound to assume, the accuracy of our
representatives citations, that they Vi
tiate Lord Salisbury's second dispatch
to Secretary Olney, and render it neces-
sary for US to revise our whole view of
the situation. Clearly there can now
be no question regarding the Schom-
burgk line as a ramrod thrust between
Great Britain and Venezuela. In a
word, England and the United States
have way out We look to the states
men on both sides TO enlarge upon this
information and escape from the utmost
peril
LONDON. Jan 2.-The DAILY News.
commenting on the appointment of the
Venezuelan Commission, will to-mor-
row say that the nominations viii COM
mand general respect in England.
where public opinion will readily recog-
nize a commission which diplomacy
must necessarily ignore. It's report can
not fail to be instructive to both sides.
During the interval of the inquiry the
jingoes of both sides will confer the
greatest possible benefit on humanity
by not making any noise.
The Morning Post viii say: None
of the members of the commission, ex-
cept Justice Brewer and the Hon. An
drew D. White, has any claim to occupy
the great position assigned to him,
while Frederick r. Coudert, on any
principle of fair play or common sense,
is disqualified by his public declara-
tions. The position of the gentlemen ap-
pointed is in complete harmony with
the overbearing language of President
Cleveland's message"
The STANDARD" will comment in a
sarcastic vein. 1T would not be right
for Englishmen to critieise the gentle
men who have consented to assist the
Presidents study Of political geogra-
ply. If their names command the an
proval of the American people. that is
all that can be desired or expected
The Chronicle viii say: 1T must he
admitted that President Cleveland has
succeeded in forming a body that is
calculated to command respect
The Times will say: Excepting Mr..
Coudert, all that can be said for the
nominees is that while they are reputa-