New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-23
HISTORY OF MANOA CLAIM.
Horc 1t Illustrates the DMcult'ss I"
Dealing zoith Venezuetd.
rrrou THE TRIBUNE BuREAul

IrRoM THE TRIBUNE BuREAU.l
Washington Aug 22-The difficulties win
which Americans constantly coniron'eu /"
their EFFORTS to colonize Venezuela and develop
the rich resources of that country are Wen MUS
tratad nv the history of what is popularity
known as the Manoa claim. In September, 1885,
the Venezuelan government granted 10 u y
FITZGERALD an American citizen, an exceedingly
valuable claim. comprising some miliiohs Oh
acres Of land. including most of the rich delta
Of the Orinoco. asphalt deposits. iron ore, etc.
Exemption from customs duties on the materials
required for the colonies which the grantee
undertook to establish was allowed, as we'll as
exclusive rights to navigate certain rivers
tributaries of the Orinoco. etc. The concession
was duly signed by the Minister of Public Lands
and six months were allowed the concessionaire
In which to start his colonies an additional six
months being subsequently allowed
In June of the following year Mr.. FitzGerald
disposed of his concession to the Manoa Com
pany, Limited, and that company Immediately
undertook to carry into effect the terms of the
concession only to be met with inuumerable and
insurmouDtable obstacles placed in its way by
the Venezuelan government. The success of the
company was further hindered, as is usually the
case with Venezuelan concessionaires. by the
appearance of another American the scene.
In January 1896. Guzman Blanco gave to
George Trumbull. of New-YOrk. a concession
Gerald, and owned by the Manoa Company. with
the single additional provision that it should go
into effect only in the event that the FITZGERALD
concession should be forfeited to the govern
ment. On September g. 1896. the government
declared the FItSGerald contract forfeited. on
the ground that the terms of the concession had
not been carried out and on September 10 1928.
the government approved the Trumbull contract.
Within the limits OF the concession was dis
no irOp min md
Trumbul was wise enough. notwithstanding his
blanket title to this property. further to acquire
title to the mine by actual purchase. paying for
it, however, with Venezuelan funds (bonds). so
that he doubtless secured 1t at a bargain. The
face value of the bonds paid for the mine was
. 100 boivars.
After the original requirement OF the grant
by Mr.. Trumbun the title was transferred by
the arbitrary action of the government from
Trumbuu TO the Manoa Company and back
again a number of times so that it was always
difficult to tell I'm whom the title vested.
Finally the Manoa Company went into the hands
of n receiver. Although it had been from time
10 time the possessor of a property worth mill
ions OF dollars, the arbitrary action or the
Venezuelan government. taken on any conven-
lent pretext had exhausted its treasury. When
II was forced into the hands of receiver the
Manoa Company was In possession OF the con-
CesSlOn and the OrtnOcO company, L4lihNeus was
Immediately organized and il purchased the as
sets of the Manoa Company. Again the title 10
the concession aIternated, between Trumoul
and the OrinocO Company.
When the recent Venezuelan American mixed
commission met both Trumbull and the Orinoco
Company appeared with their respective claims
The Judges in the case could come TO no agree
ment. and final decision was left TO the umpire
Mr. Barge. He rejected the claim OF the orr
noco Company on the ground that the terms or
the concession had not been carried out.
The claim of George Trumbul Was reJecteu ui.
the ground that forfeiture OF the concession OF
the Oriuoco Company had not been enecten as
the result OF due process of law The conse-
auenCe IS that the property has now reverted 10
the Venezuelan government, which Is douht-
less seeking another condding American TO ex-
pIoit it. Mr.. Trumbull. by the decision OF the
umpire. was compelled TO make a small cash
iuent for certain property he had received, and
he is understood 10 be still in possession or the
Imataca mine by virtue Of his double tltIe
thereto.
decision of the umpire. Mr. Barge. that Presi-
dent Castro Is seeking TO obvate future crit
icisIn on the ground OF absence of legal pro-
cedIre I'm the forfeiture OF the New-NoTk ana
curing a duly legal decision from the Supreme
Court the members OF which he appoints at
will.
The wealth and attractiveneSs OF Venezuela
are conceded by all who have knowledge OF that
country but the complete uncertainty of tenure
and the nonChaauce with which the government
forfeits duly signed, sealed and delivered con-
tracts are declared TO be insurmountable OBJ
stacIeS to the settlement and development OF the
country which. il is asserted. can only be over
come nv the adoption of totally different poll
lev In dealing with foreign conCesstonalreS-
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