Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-04

The Venezuelan boundary arb'sraloH mas
amply justified itself and indicated the
policy adopted by President Cleveland when
he interviewed in 1898 to prevent further
British aggressions. Whatever the terms
of the award wherever may lie the from
tier between the TWO countries. the pro-
cess of appealing from the sef-interest of
each party TO the dispute to a dspassion-
ate tribunal of eminent personages has
brought excellent results. tending toward
a surer maintenance of peace and more
exact respect for national rights.
Venezuela is decidedly he gamer by this
resort to arbitration. She secures in land
less than she claimed and "A little llore
THIN Great Britain granted TO her in one
of the earlier Engl sh SURVEYS She realms
control of the Orinoco valley and delta and
of the gold fields which have lately been
developed under her supervision. She loses
title to a large area covered Ivy actual Brit
ish possession fer a number % years. in
Guiding rich gold deposits which have been
developed under British auspices.
But Venezuela's chief gun is in securing
a permanent frontier and in forever pre-
venting England from encroacnng upon
her territories under pretcnse of right.
This perma hence of title is in itself val
liable consideration. Previous to the eli
max in the boundary dspuie Venezuela
found that at every reopenIng of the af-
fair England had pressed forward with rev
claims, new boundaries. forever seeking
to absorb the rich region east of the Orr
noco river and even menacing the entire
national area. There was no guarantee
where the claims would stop. A line might
be adjusted by agreement between the two
countries and yet not protect N-neZuela
from British trespassing. The superior
British power was a constant threat.
AT this juncture the United States inter-
posed to declare that further agsressions
were contrary to the spirit of the Monroe
Doctrine. and therefore OF unfriendly pur-
pose toward the United States. There vas
a great deal of International head-wagging
over this Intervention and some foreign
critics unjustly accused President Cleveland
of jingoism for political effect. England
was brought up short and Venezuela was
saved from further absorption. The United
States. at great expense. sifted the case
and formulated certain declarations as to
the boundary which formed the basis OF
the case later argued with unusual skill
and care at Paris. The tribunal, which
would never have been assembled had ii
not been for the action of this country has
now pronounced a Judgment which is I'M
Questionabiy in the nature of compromise.
The tribunal evidently concluded as to
part of the disputed territory that occupa-
ton and use were fair evidences of title.
This is an unsafe principle and perhaps il
was unjust in this instance, for the Eng
hsh occupation and use of the disputed ter
rtory were unquestionably the result of
the superior power of the British govern
ment.
Yet Venezuela must admit in her later
consideration of the case that she has Jared
very well. The tribunal assembled at the
instance of the United States has pro-
bounced a judgment from which there can
be no appeal. Her title TO the valuable
lands granted to her is irrevocable, save
by her own act. She has been sheltered
from the further entertainments of the Brit
fsh, and is secure in what is now pro-
nounced with absolute positiveness to be
the soil of Venezuela. And for this service
she has the United States to thank