The leader., 1899-08-02

Great britain returned an impairment
reply, stating that all territory within
the So-called SchoEburg line was abso-
lutely hers and that she had nothing
TO arbltratc there. Claims west of that
Ane she was willing to submit to an in
Ierhauonal tribunal for adjudication.
Venezuela. on the other hand, insisted
that the Esequibo river was the recog
hIIed boundary and that the Pumeron
river was. at all events, the extreme
hmlt of disputed territory. Secretary
"r'Sham $ sudden death delayed the
american answer TO the British note
oecinlng arbitration, but when Secre-
'dry olney assumed the state portfolio
one OF his first acts was the transmits
hon OF this now historic document
"h'ch' together with Lord Salisbury's
answer constituted the basis of Presi-
aent Cleveland's message of December
Il, 1895.
IN II the president declared the
e!'lihS urged by Great Britain to be a
"Irect violation of the Monroe doctrine,
"hich he designated as an unwritten
page OF the American constitution. He
uiSa'oWed all intention of wishing to
e"'rIere with British rights in her
'outh american colonies, but at the
same Time protested against the extern
s'o' u England's political system. In
Oiuct 10 avoid clash he asked congress
W appoint a commission to investigate
"nu determine the true boundary line
"'t"eeh british Guiana and Venezuela,
"nu 'neh went on to say that when that
1oni'''lsslon had made its report the
N"''ed states should resist by every
means IN its power, as willful aggres-
upon It's rights and interests, the
appropriation of any lands or The exer-
e Vi governmental jurisdiction over
DS territory which, after investiga-
,-o"' we have determined of right be-
-o"S 10 Venezuela" Continuing. he
u' In making these recommended
,' 'vns l am fully alive to the RESPONSE
JIi'ies incurred and keenly realize all
Tt consequences that may follow"
30 ne congress responded periodically
IN. .ne presidents message, and com
di" ss'oh 10 determine the boundary in
Iml pu'e was appointed, consisting of
Justice Brewer, Andrew ID. White.
u ueric Il. Coudert, ID. c. Gilman and
~ H. Alvey. For short time war be-
a;,' sh the United States and Great Brit
~ SEEMED inevitable, but eventually
london lingo element subsidized.
au 'ne American commission con-
,sor 's iabors until February 81,
80 when, through the instrumental
~ Oh the United States, a treaty was
V nnId between Great Britain and
- y. Tor arbitrating the subject
~ Pu.e- This treaty stipulated that
aroltration tribunal should consist
i've members--two to be selected by
Ia britain; one by the president of
ohited States. of Venezuela and one
'ne justices of the supreme court of
s 4e United States, the four to select
In an member who should be the presi-
III vi the tribunal. The British rep-
en.atiVes are Chief Justice Russell
;d" or ilehard HEM Collins; the pres
VI, OF Venezuela chose Chief Jnstice
- e"liie w. Fuller. and the justices of
Dar;s supreme court appointed Justice
ss,a Josiah Brewer. The fifth jurist,
= ea ny the four already suentioned,
ioi' -Maertens. a Russian scholar
anose reputation as an authority on
A'ernationai law is world wide. He IL
:. osleiai OF the Russian foreign Office,
s'''ss'oF Of international law Of the