The times., 1899-10-05
The Venezuelan Avard.

Probably there was not little surprise
in this country when it was announced
that, by unanimous vote, the Venezue, an
boundary arbitration tribunal, sitting in
Paris, had given decision practically
conceding the historical claims and terri
tOrial demands Of Great Britain. Without
knowing anything OF the merits Of the old
controversy between England and Vene-
zuela, the American public has been always
inclined 10 take it for granted that the
great European nation was solely actuated
by desire to grab land belonging to
Others. in her insistence upon an extension
OF the boundaries Of British Guiana west
ward into territory asserted by the Ven
ezueian Government TO have properly be-
longed to that State and its predecessor in
title, for all tine since the discovery and
settlement OF South America by the white
race.
Professor Martens, the president of the
tribunal. in referring to the award, has
said that the unanimity with which it was
decided upon is the best evidence that it is
based upon historical evidence and con-
scientioGs regard for strict justice. From
this view. it is said, the Hon. Benjamin
Harrison end his associates OF counsel for
Nenezaela dissent. though not violently,
as they admit that the case might have re-
suited more eetrimentally TO their client,
since Venezuela gets control of the mouth
OF the Orinoco River. claimed by the other
party, and some valuable mineral territory
which might perhaps have been lost with
out exposing the arbitrators 10 any charge
OF unfairness. But the disappointed adYo-
Gates are reported as saying that. on its
face, the award is a compromise between
the extreme British and the extreme Ven
ezuelan claim. and that therefore, it is
more in the nature of diplomatic than OF
a judicial decision. They regret this, as
conducting TO a tendency in courts OF ar
bitraticn TO be influenced by temptations
10 compromise. rather than by the stern
logic OF the law and the evidence, which
Mr. Harrison and his colleagues eonsi der
20 have been more in favor Of their con-
tentions than we're the judges
We may excuse some chagrin on the part
OF Mr. Harrison and the others, while as
suring them that the world of statecrafr,
diplomacy, and scholarship will probably,
and without any dissenting voice. acclaim
the award OF the tribunal as eminentIy
Just, equitable, and. in ali essential re-
spects. inevitable. To understand the case
p large, and TO appreciate the certainty
hat such boundary difference would occur
between England and the South American
State adjoining her on the west of British
Guiana, il is necessary to consider the deri
walton OF the territorial title held by each.
Some years after Venezuela had gained
her independence from Spain. the latter. in
Is45, recognized il, and ceded all the terri
tory OF the ancient vice royalty and cap
taincy general OF New Granada and Ven
ezuela." as il existed in 1910. In 1914
Holland ceded TO Great Britain the three
Dutch colonies on the north coast Of South
America. directly 70 the east OF Venezuela.
and now known collectively as British
Guiana. Whatever had been legally Spanish
ground went 10 Venezuela, and what had
been legally Dutch descended TO England.
Considering the divergent sources of title.
and that the Spanish and Dutch settlements
had progressed from opposite directions TO-
ward each other. II was quite natural tha,
the territorial line Of demarcztIon between
them should be more or less indefinite. II
could be finally decided and dellmlsed ONLY
by the closest and most disinserested study
and analysis Of the records OF colonial set
tenent and movement. and OF evidences