The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-04

payment OF regular dusr. provided the dues
charged by Venezuela and the Government OF
the Colony OF British Guiana in respect to the
passage OF vessels along portions OF such rivers
respectively owned by them shall be charged
at the same rates as upon vessels owned by
citizens OF Venezuela and great Britain.
1T Is provided also that no other customs
duties shall be chargeable either by Venezuela
or British Guiana in respect OF goods carried
on board ships or vessels passing along said
rivers But customs duties shall only be
ehargsable in respect Of goods landed In the
territories Of Great Britain and Venezuela re-
spectively.'
Immediately after the reading Of the de-
eIsion Prof. Martens arose and thanked the
French Government for its hospitality. He
congratulated every one concerned on the
satisfactory ending OF dispute which had
lasted 400 years. He laid stress on the unan-
unity OF the tribunal and recalled the Alabama
claims and the Behring Sea case. whore only a
majority Of the commission ers decided the
points involved. Prof. Martens spoke in Eng
lsh at nrst but changed to French when he
began to thank the French Government. say
ing that when speaking from his heart he
must use more familiar language. He en-
arsed on the fact that this was the first arbl-
tration case decided under fixed rules which
Hague Conference adopted
Ex-Presldent Harrison. leading counsel for
Venezuela. made a graceful speech Of thanks
10 the French Cove rnment for its hospitality
He added that all OF those returning to Amer
ica would carry away lasting love for
France.
Sir Richard Webster. chief counsel for Great
Britain. followed with few polite words. and
then the tribunal adjourned.
The Englshmen looked jubilant. whereas
gloom rat on the faces OF tho Venezuelan repre-
sentatives. England undoubtedly gets moro
than she was expected to get few days ago.
when gossip spoke OF the tribunal fixing the
horuka or the Pomeroon as the western
boundary. One OF the counsel for Venezuela
remarked to THE SUN correspondent that the
unanImity Of tho decision looked like forced
unanimity. He admitted that he was stag
gered by the unexpected decision,
The Sun correspondent also talked with the
Venezuelan agent. who spoke OF the decision
Salmost Incredible and said it was most I'M
satisfactory and disappointing. 1t was an
other instance OF might overcoming right;
though. OF course the decision would be needed.
Venezuela would bow to it and accept the ad-
Iudlcation.
! Sir Richard Webster beamed with Joy when
asked for an expression OF opinion. 1t was
after luncheon which. no remarked. that the
Americans had not attended.
You are pleased with the result. Sir Rich
ard said the correspondent You seem to
nave got all you wanted"
We never get that" hs replied. but we've
got avery good decision
Venezuela by the decision saves Barima
folnt. the boundary line starting about thirty
nve miles east OF it. thus preserving the mouth
o. The orinoco, besides large tract of country
within the Schom burRk line. Great Britain on
several occasions has refused TO consider tho
question ot arbitration regarding territory
within the SchomburGk line. which included
me right bank Of the Orinoco River. the COM
h'ahd OF which would give Great Britain con-
uol 81 the mouth OF the river.
u was this claim that especially aroused tho
interest Of the United States. II it was ac-
EhoW!elged, then Vene2uela-in a commercial
ana military sense would be subjected TO the
control OF Great Britain. This was the cruN Of
we controversy. The retention and complete
V'h'ro' al the Orinoco was regarded as essen
u" 10 Venezuela : independence.
me decision Of the tribunal in addition to tho
eohtro! o' th" Orinoco. gives Venezuela all the
territory west oi the SchomburgE limo. which
u'et britain claimed but was willing to sub
my 70 arbitration. Venezuela also gets 1000
VI o'OVo iuare miles east Of the Sohomburgk