The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-04
THE BRITIsH-vENEZUELAN AWARD.

The decision of the Anglo-venezuelan arbi-
tration tribunal at Paris ends one OF the
most troublesome boundary disputes Of re-
cent times. The historic roots OF the dis
pute run back more than three hundred
years, and for fifty years past it has, at in
tervals. assumed an acute phase. At least
three different American secretaries of
state, Evarts in 1880. Bayard in 1855, and
Olney in 1895. took official cognizance of the
matter to protect the interests of Vene-
zuela. or to preserve the peace OF nations.
1t caused the breaking off of diplomatic re.
lations between Great Britain and venezue-
la in 1857. and came near causing war be-
tween the United States and Great Britain
in 1895. 1t would be impossible, in the linn
Its Of a newspaper article, even to outline
the historical ramifcations of the dispute,
or to state its effect as an irritating and dis
turbing factor in the international relations
of the western hemisphere.
The final settlement of such a controversy
by a tribunal of plenary power and on a
permanent basis is an event Of great i'm
portance, the credit of which is mainly due
0NeN" ~ "oo inns OfNAAA
ment that first proposed. then urged, and
finally insisted upon arbitration of the dis
pute. Congress, on the 22d of February,
1885. passed a joint resolution declaring that
1.-The Presidents suggestion that Great
Britain and Venezuela refer their disputes
as to boundaries to friendly arbitration be
earnestly recommended to the favorable
consideration of both parties in interest"
This action Of Congress was followed up
with so much energy by the executive
branch of the government as to finally bring
about an arbitration treaty between the
United States and Great Britain, under
which the tribunal which has just rendered
Its decision at Paris was appointed. This
treaty was signed in December, 1896. and
after that nothing remained but TO appoint
the members of the arbitration tribunal and
prepare the case on both sides for submits
sion upon the evidence and the arguments
OF counsel.
With the information at hand 1t is difficult
to state the exact scope of the decision, but
1t seems to be decidedly in favor of Vene>
zuela. Being the result of arbitration, it
must necessarily be somewhat in the ma
ture of a compromise of conflicting claims,
but Venezuela seems to have gained her
main contention. One Of the most impor-
tant Of these is the control of the mouth OF
the great River Orinoco with the adjacent
country, as important as the control of the
mouth of the Mississippi to the United
States. The decision is also adverse to the
British claim in respect Of the interior
boundary to an extent that confirms the
title of Venezuela to a large tract OF coun-
try. But the gains or losses of territory on
either side are of little consequence COM
pared with the Importance of having the
boundary line definitely defined and a dam
gerous dispute settled.
Ex-President Harrison shares In the VIC
tory of his client. He was retained In the
case as chief counsel for Venezuela more
than two years ago, and since then has de-
voted most of his working time to its prep
~aration. 1t was probably the greatest sin
gle work of his life. and the award is large
ly in the nature of a personal triumph for
him. His fee will, of course, be very large,
as it ought to be. Newspaper gossip has
placed it at 800, 600, but that is mere guess
work. The newspapers really know nothing
about it. The successful conduct of such a
case can scarcely be measured in money.
The mere money value of the interests in
volved was enormously great, but the in
ternational prestige of victory is worth far
more to Venezuela than the confirmation of
her title to territory. Compared with the
fees in large railroad or corporation cases,
100000 would be a small remuneration in
this case. 1t is more likely that General
Harrison's fee will approach $500, 1000. either
in cash or partly in government concessions
as good as cash. All this, however, is mere
matter of conjecture. and Is really not the
public's business. The main point, as far
as General Harrison is concerned, is that
he has linked his name in history as the
successful counsel in one of the greatest
international cases of modern times.
WARS FOR INDEPENDENCE.