The herald., 1896-03-07
As Shown by Ancient Maps and
Documents
THE BRITISH BLUE BOOK
Laid on the Table OF the House of
Commons
Brief Summary Of the Evidence by Which
Great Britain Expects to Sustain
Her Claims
Associated Press Special Wire,

Associated Press Special Wire.
LONDON, March g. copyrighted. 1896
by the Associated Press The British blue
book on the Venezuelan boundary dispute
was laid on the table of the house of com.
mons today. Following is summary of
the position Of Great Britain, as published
in work referred to:
First-Long prior to and at the time of
the treaty of Munster, in 1916, the Dutch
founded settlements in various parts of
British Guiana, particularly on the coast.
Second-The only Spanish settlement
prior to them was Santo Home de Guayana.
Third-During the whole period from
1913 to 1895 the Dutch had uninterrupted
possession of the entire coast line and the
river Corentin to Barima.
Fourth-During the same period they
had explored the upper portions of nearly
all the rivers and made many settlements
in adjacent districts.
Fifth-Prior to 1923 there was no settle.
ment of Spanish except Sauto Home de
Guayana.
Sixth-Between l724 and 1896 Ca.
puchin missions were established south.
ward of the Ornoco and gradually ex-
tended eastward toward the Dutch terri
tory. the farthest point occupied by the
Spaniards being Tummeremo, founded
about l7SS.
Seventh-Before 1896 the Dutch had
settled far up the Cuyuni. Dutch post was
establi shed near the Yuruan, and the
Dutch had full control of the whole basin
of the Cuyuni.
Eighth Except for the settlement OF
Santo Home de Guayana and their mis-
sions the Spanards exercised no authority
in the territory now in dispute.
Ninth-Great Britain, on becoming pos
SCISSOR of the colony, succeeded 10 all the
rights of the Dutch.
Tenth-After 1896 Great Britain ex-
tended her settlements and exercised over
the territory originally claimed by the
Dutch all the rights whereby nations
usually indicate claim to territory.
Eleventh-Neither Spain nor Venezuela,
after the latter had declared her ndepend-
ence, at any time had possession of or
dominion over the territory in question.
Twelfth-Gneat Britain, while maintain
ing her just rights, has consistently shown
n desire to make fair arrangement with
Venezuela in regard to the boundary.
Thirteenth-The claim of Venezuela
that her territory extends to the Essequbo
is based on contentious in no wise support
ed by facts and cannot be justified on any
reasonable ground.
The foregoing thus establishes Great
Britain in her strict right to be entitled to
the territory extending to Barirla, includ-
ing the watersheds of Essequibo, Cuyuni,
Yuruari, Pomaroon. Waini and Barima.
The blue book contains nine maps, an
official chart of the West India company.
dated 1858, Blaieuw's map of Guiana
dated 1910, the official map of the Eng
lish committee on trade and plantations
dated l733. DR.. Anvillo's map of Amerique
Meridiouale dated l71S, a sketch map OF
the Dutch Director General dated 1749,
Thompson's chart of the coast of Guiana
dated 1888. an inset of Bonchenroeder's
map of the colony of Essequibo and DEM
erara dated l79S. and Depon' charte de la
Capitanerie Generate de Caracas dated
1904.
The mans we're prepared in order to il
luslrate the various boundary lines re-
ferred to in the correspondence.
The Daily News, the Liberal official or
gan, says:
The Venezuelan blue book bristIes with
facts and challenges refutation. Our case
is impressivey if not irrefragably strong.
But the stronger it is the less reason can
Lord Salisbury urge against unconditional
arbitration. We are most hopeful that the
next step will probably be tho appointment
of the joint commission.
The Chronicle CLberaD, after taking
form, granted that the Case will be settled
by arbitration, says:
at is advisable that we should go to the
tribunal as strongly fortified as possible.
From this point of view we are not salts
fed with Lord Salisbury's presentation Of