The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-10-18
THE VENEZUELAN AWARD
Tribunals Decision il the D.s1uss
With Great Britain.
A DIPLOMATIC COMPROMISE.

The Decision Gives Venezuela Control OF
Miles of Territory East OF the Scholn-
burck Line-Ncnlerinc of the Award
England Satisfied With tho Verdict.
PARIS (By Cable).-The Anglo-Venezue-
Ian Boundary Arbitration Commission has
rendered its verdict, fixing the boundary
line between the United States OF Ven.
ezuela and the colony Of British Guiana.
Great Britain obtains almost its extreme
claim, Offset, however, by cession OF q
small amount OF land near the Orinoco
River and in the interior. The river re
mains wholly within Venezuelan territory.
The verdict was unanimous.
The award OF the tribunal, briefly sum
married., means that OF the $4,000 square
miles elaine d, Venezuela obtains only 100
formed partly Of the marsh land near the
River Barima, and a portion in the In
terror; while Great Britain retains all the
forest country.
NJ. de Martens, the umpire, who has pre-
sided over the deliberations OF the tri
bunal entered the room, accompanied by
After they had taken their seats in the
presence OF the counsel OF the two parties
OF Sir Edmund J. Monson, British Ambass
ador to France, the entire staff OF the Brit
ish Embassy, and large concourse OF peo
pie, NJ. do Martens rose and in bis opening
sentences announced that the court
would read the award, which had beet
unanimously arrived at, In English and in
French. D'Oyly Carte, private secretary
to Baron Russell OF Killowen, one OF the
British members OF the tribunal, read the
English text and NJ. de Martens read the
Freuch.
Af.er the reading the President OF the
tribunal rose and, speaking in English,
said he was glad to announce that. alter
three months OF hard work, the court had
unanimously decided upon the award
which had just been read. 1t was pleas.
ant duty now to restore the former gooa
understanding between the contendinS
parties. He then eloquently thanked his
colleagues and the respective counsel;
rendering on behalf OF the tribunal special
thanks for the hospitality extended to al;
by France. These sentiments he repeated
In French.
BENJAMIN Harrison, the principal counsel
for Venezuela, then made a few remarks
and was followed by Sir Richarl Webster
principal counsel for Great Britain, who
thanked the French Government ZOE ltS
hospitality, and said that Great Britain
and Venezuela would work side by side IL
harmony.
The sitting was then adjourned.
Subsequently Mr.. Harrison and Mr. Nal.
let-Prevost, who gave a joint interview
pointed out that Great Britain up to the
time OF the Intervention OF the United
States distinctly refused to arbitrnte my
portion OF the territory east OF the Schom
burgk line, alleging that its title was unas
sailable. This territory included the Alta
curl River and Point Barlma, which is oil
the greatest value strategically and com
merclally.
The award. continued the counsel fol
Venezuela, gives Point Barima, with strip
OF land fifty miles long, to Venezuela, which
thereby obtains entire control OF the river
Orlnoco. Tnree thousand square miles ir
the Interior are also awarded to Venezuela
Thus, by decision iu which the British
arbitrators concurred, the position taker
by Great Britain in 1895 Is shown to be un
founded.
This, however, rs the Venezuelan counse:
pointed out. in no wise expresses the full.
extent OF Venezuelan's victory. Great
Britain had claimed thirty thousand
square miles CT territory west Of the
Schomburgk line, and this she was dis.
posed to arbitrate in 1890. Every foot OF
that section Is now awarded to Venezuela.
The decision is called diplomatic
compromise.