Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-05-27
America and England as Litigants.

NHleTICd anu EugtdHu a. LiiydHtS.
1t was only three years ago that
there was serious fears that war
would be precipitated between this
country and England. 1t was all over
the matter of the Venezuelan bound
airy, this country standing firm on the
Monroe doctrine and insisting that a
weak Central American republic
should not be bulldozed by a great
European power. The final settle
ment Of the question then in dispute
will begin in Paris next month 1t is
not often that nations go to law. before
an impartial tribunal. for the settle
ment of their disputes. After Mr..
Cleveland's first utterance Great Brit
ain refused to submit the controversy
to arbitration. President Cleveland
then appointed a commission to inquire
into the facts and determine the exact
location of the boundary between
Venezuela and British Guiana but be
fore the commission has completed its
signed a treaty submitting the entire
question TO arbitration and agreeing to
abide by the decision of the arbitra~
tors. The real trial of the case will be-
gin in Paris about June Is, and its
progress will everywhere be watched
with much interest. The tribunal of
Al
court of justice than any other that
has sat in an international controversy,
and is essentially the thing for which
both Great Britain and the United
States will contend before the peace
congress now in session.
The tribunal is composed of Lord
Russell Of Killowen, Lord Chief Justice
of England, and Justice Collins, on the
part of England; Chief Justice Fuller
and Justice Brewer Of the United
States supreme court, on the part of
Venezuela; and Professor Martens, of
the University of St. Petersburg, an
impartial judge chosen by the four
others named. Both England and
Venezuela will be represented by a
brilliant array OF legal talent. ex-
President Harrison being the chief
counsel for the later country, ana hav-
ing associated with him some of the
leading lawyers Of this country,as well
as Of Venezuela.
In tba
tends that her eastern boundary line is
along the 59th degree of longitude west
of Greenwich; while England contends
that her rights extend westward to the
esd degree of longitude. The territory
in dispute embraces about 50 600 square
miles, an area greater than that of the
states of New York. Massachusetts and
Connecticut combined, and containing
number of very rich gold mines. The
evidence is of a conflicting nature, be-
ing drawn principally from ancient
documents found in the archives Of
Spain, and from maps drawn centuries
ago. The attorneys have been en-
gagged on the case for fifteen months,
exchanging briefs and answers and fill
ing their papers with the arbitrator.
Up to this time the documents filed en-
brace % large volumes, besides numerous
maps. During the sitting of the court
of arbitration in Paris the oral argu-
ments. prior to the decision. will be
submitted.
SO far as this government is con-
cerned it has no direct interest in the
final decision, but it will watch the
progress of the case with much inter-
est. The interference of this govern
ment in behalf of Venezuela, the weak
er power, four years ago, was greeted
with as much enthusiasm as was our
more recent intervention in behalf OF
Cuba, and the people of the country
will naturally be much concerned to
know whether or not an impartial tri-
bunal will pronounce our interference
justifiable. No matter what the final
decision. the case will conclusively
demonstrate that it is as possible fol
nations to settle their controversies
through the medium of internationa
courts of justice as it is for individuals
to settle theirs through our common
courts. This will be great stride IL
the direction of universal peace, will
which question all the world will be in
terested between now and the time 70
the beginning of the international lax
suit.
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