The times., 1899-07-09
ARGUING THE BRITISH CASE.
Sir Richard Webster Again Enter
tains the Venezuelan Tribunal.


Paris, July s.-Sir Richard Webster con-
tinhed his argument of the British case be-
fore the Venezuelan tribunal today. Deal
ing with Matteo's case he said that, ac-
cording to the Venezuelans, Matteo was
a Spanish officer on coast guard duty pa
trolling portions of the disputed territory
for ten years. On the other hand, Sir
Richard makes Matteo out a pirate and
privateer, and, according to the most ia
vorable view, he never rises beyond the
dignity of the captain Of a revenue cut
ter. Sir Richard pointed out that the
Spanish Government occasionally disavow-
ed Matteo's actions, while none OF them
amounted to a definite exercise of Spanish
governmental authority, being either ex-
ploring excursions or corsair raids These,
he said. were the cases quoted by the
Venezuelans to prove continuous acts of
Spanish dominion. An amusing argument
arose as TO whether Matteo de Brilla and
Matteo Beltran were the same person.
Lord Russell and Sir Richard Collins, the
British commissioners, showed incredulity,
but Sir Richard Webster said it was i'm
material for the purpose eof his argument
whether they were one or two. therefore
he has hastily accepted the Venezuelan
statement as to Matteo's Identity
Sir Richard further quoted from Span
ish documents, in which the missionaries
in 1880 and 1890 recommended the estab-
lishment of settlements in the disputed
territory as the best way of keeping out
the French and Dutch adding that Span
ish-like, nothing was done. Prior to the
adjournment of the sitting. Sir Richard
quoted the commission and passport grant
ed to Lopez de la Priente to explore the
Cuyuni River in 1888. He next dealt with
the extension OF the Spanish missions in
1882, quoting from documents proving that
they never reached the Cuyuni River,
which is spoken of occasionally as their
frontier. De la Priente suggested the es-
tablishment of post on that river to keep
the Dutch in check. Sir Richard then
quoted from Miguel Marmion's report for
| the purpose of showing the extent at that
time, of the Spanish territory and the
Dutch advance. He argued that an out
post was placed on the north bank OF the
Cuyuni between the Cuyuni and Curumo
rivers and existed only temporarily. The
tribunal at this point was much occupied
| with aliases. Chief Justice Fuller, Lord
Chief Justice Russell. and Justice Brewer
grouping around the same atlas.
In 1896, Sir Richard continued, war
broke out between Spain and England, the
latter occupying Essiquibo and Demerara,
which the Dutch reobtained by the treaty
" <AiAiAShs- III ioVS 0oNtinOT CbEUOuei
| sent an officer named Manuel Astor to
reconnoitre to the Barima River to ascer-
| tain to what extent the English occupied
the country. Justice Brewer caused a
roar by asking: rs he, too, John Jacob s
| relative?"
Sir Richard looked pained at the Ameri-
| can Justices frivolity and proceeded to
| examine the extent of dominions which
the British occupied in 1899. quoting from
| McCreagh's report to the Duke of Port
| land, in which he stated that "the cul-
| tivated lands reach the Pomeroon River.
! the uncultivated lands extending to the
Spanish Orinoco settlements and appeal
| ing again to contemporary maps to sup
! port his argument. He next quoted from
the Dutch licenses to cut timber in the
| Waini and other districts in 1903 and
| Dalziels observations on the colony
| wherein he states forwarded in 1904 TO
| the Earl of Camden by Governor Myers -
| Bringing his argument down to 1913, Sir
! Richard shows remarkable command of
| the complicated case. Sir Richard Reid
and others of the British counsel ably
| prompting him when occasionally his
memory slipped.
A member of the Venezuelan Council
was asked today what he thought of Sir
| Richard Webster's argument. He laugh
| ingly answered: 1T would be a bad case
| which broke down in the opening state
ment. Sir Richard is not the man for
that" 81. 49,