Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-03-28
EXPIRES. CLEVELAND
Addresses Princeton University Students on
The Venezuelan Boundary Dispute

dent Grover Cleveland delivered the
first of his two lectures on THE
Venezuelan Boundary Dispute" before
the students and friends of Princeton
University. tonight, in Alexander hall.
Prof Woodrow Wilson introduced the
speaker. AS Mr.. Cleveland arose To
begin his lecture he was greeted with
cheers from III" student body. He was
applauded several times while deliver
ing the lecture A number Of promi-
nent people from Trenton, New York
and Philadelphia were in attendance.
Mr. Cleveland at the outset spoke of
the VagucncSS on the subject of boundary
lines in the establishment both Of the
Guiana. He said that from the first
there was evident need of 'cXtraneous
assistance BEFORE hounds so loosely nam
ed could DC exactly fixed
He then referred 10 the initiation Of the
dispute in 1871 between the Venezuelan
minister to Great Britain and Lord Abor-
deem. chief secretary OF state for foreign
alairs
The making of the Schomburgk survey
and its yoariug upon the dispute wcrc
fully explained. The lecturer said:
IN 1876 q years after the discontinu-
aucc of efforts on the part of Great Bri-
tain and Venezuela to fix by agreement
a line which should divide their posses
sions, Venezuela was confronted upon
the renewal Of negotiations for that puI-
pose. by the following conditions:
"A line proposed by her, founded upon
her conceDtion of StiCt right. which her
powerful opponent had insisted could not
in any way be plaIsibly supported. and
which therefore she would in no event ac-
AN indefntencss in the limits claimed
by Great Britain. 50 great That Of tw"
boundary lines indicated or suggested by
her. one had been plainly declared 10 b"
merely preliminary measure open 10
future discussion between the govern
mcnts of Great Britain and NencZrcl. I,
and the other was distinctly Canned o
be based upon generous concessions anu
a desire to avoid all cause of serious con-
troversics between the two countries.
"A controversy growing out of this SIT
uation impossible of friendly settlement
except by such arrangement and accom- .
mediation as would bc satisfactory to-
Great Britai:l,ior by a submission OF the
dispute to arbitration.
"A constant danger of sJcn an eNten =
sion OF settlements in the disputed terri
tory as would necessarily compliCatc the
situation. and furnish convenient pre-
text for the refusal of any concession re-
spccting The lands containing sich settle
mcnIS. - 9
"a continual profession on the part oil
Great Britain of her present readiness 20
ro-opcratt, III Il speedy adjust mcnt, WhilS
unt SUBSTANTIALLY reducing her pretcn-
tons. and certainly not atiehiuhS III !"
conspicuous manner TO hasten he6o''a-
ions to a conclusion
"a tremendous disparity in power ana
STRENGTH between Venezuela and her al
vrrearV which gave her no nope. IN cas-
the extremity of war was rcacn'e' OF ne
Tending her territory or prcNcnJlnS " III
ncxation to the possessions OF Great DIT
tain" ,l
Ii was in 1876 that Venezuela Appealed
to tho United States, begging our severn
rr,.lt ''to give the subject its KIND con-
idcration. and take an interest in nav,
ms. due Justice done to Venezuela
This" said the lecturer. appears l" ne
the first cummunica ton dddtcSScu - -
government on the subject OF a coh'r1.
vcrsy IN which We aitot"ard pcc''i'o
very seriously concerned r
The lecturer quoting constantly from
documents. showed the repca'cu api' , :
az Venezuela to Great Britain IN laVot ~
settling he question by arbltfdtloh Oh INV
whole SUBJECT. declaring that their CON
stitution prevented them from making
grants of territories except by a process
INC result Of arbitration. Meantime Eng
land constantly refused arbitration on
tho general subject, declaring that ~
feared the Venezuelan constitution " 'uiu
Sin be used az Il pretcXt for dlSobedience
10 an award Great Britain also objected
to the arbitration requested hN Eehczuf
la fearing that an award might pc Hauc
in favor Of the Venezuelan aim. in wilch
case Fan important territory winch mas
for a long period been inhabited ana oc-
cupicd by Her Majestys subjects anu
treated as part of the colony Of BrltlSh
Guiana, would be severed from INC
Queens domin!ons
on this Mr. Cleveland said: England
alone had treated it as part of British
Guiana: her immense power had enabled
her 10 do this. ana her own DEGREES
seemed to promise greater advantages as
against her weak adversary than arbltra-
ton could possibly assure.
The British government at one time OIL
fercd a plan Of arbitration which did NOT
cover the entire disputed territory, but
never consented to arbitration such aS
nroposed by Venezuela, and which would
include the entire territory in dispute.
Tho lecture brought down with
much detail the narrative to sep
teuber 1888 At the end OF the lecture,
Mr. Cleveland said:
Here closed a period in this dispute,
- wears i'm duration. Vcscd with agitation
and perturbed by irritation and repeated
failurps TO reach a peaceful adjustment
Instead of progress in the direction OF Il
settlement of their boundaries, the con-
testants could only contemplate. as re-
s1,Its Of their action, increased obstacles
to fair discussion, intensified feelings o.
IN i,irv extended assertion of title. ruth
inSs CONFORMATION of the territory in con-
troversy. and an unhealed breach in dip
lomatic relations , ,,,,;,,o
MIR ClevelandS second and concluding
lacture on this subject, to be given Inur5-
doy night will deal principally with the
uart taken by the United States IN the
spattlement of the long controversy winch
resillted in arbitration and fixed bound