The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-28
Troubles of Venezuela
K. The OrinOcO Cooperation Case.

By Frederic J. Hsskin.

Caracas, Venezuela, Oct. 27.-It Is unfortunate for the other American claimants against Venezuela that the asphalt controversy has been made the principal feature of the discussion in the dealings between the United States and President Castro's country. The State Department has not unduly emphasized the asphalt case, but for various reasons 1t has been given more prominence in the press. In the first place there was the Loomis-Bo imbroglio. and, more important than all, the fact that the two parties to the asphalt quarrel in the United States have employed efficient press agents to keep their rival claims before the public.
 The apologists for Castro always urge against the American claims the revolutionary activity of the asphalt company. If they are driven to ad. init that the asphalt case Is no more prominent than either of the four other claims, then they say these for eigners who come into Venezuela to do business should be willing to sub init their grievances to the courts of to which such objections cannot be made.
 It Is that of the Orinoco Corpora ton, concern whose rights have been upeld by the Mixed Commission. and by the highest courts of Venezuela. President Castro's government has dis. regarded the verdicts of these high tribunals, and the only hope of re- dress left to the company lies in inc ternational arbitration. such as is de- manded by the United States. The story of this claim Is somewhat in- volved. but it Is none the less roc mantle.
 It began with The granting of a concession to c. c. Fitzgerald, an American. of a tract of land at the delta of the Orinoco River. This con. tract was made in 1883 by Gunnan Blanco, then President and virtual dic- tator of Venezuela. It conveyed for a term of nfnety-nine years. with rights of development and exploitation, tract of land about the size of the State of Massachusetts, aboundinE in mineral wealth and in possibilities oF tropical agriculture. Under the terms of the contract the Government was to establish two ports of entry within tho limits of the concession, and Fitz- gerald was bound to colonize and de- velop the country without delay Guz- man Blanco had much more respect for constitutional and legal forms than has Castro, and the Fitzgerald contract was duly approved by Congress in -ss4.
 Behind the granting of this contract is story of international politics. For many years there had been a dis pute between Venezuela and England over the boundary between eastern Venezuela and British Guiana. The British had been encroachlng more and more and claiming more each time the question was mentioned. Venezuela had attempted in vain to obtain ar- bitration of the disputed questions. Guzman Blanco felt that his only hope lay in hecuring the intervention of the United States. It was with view of securing this intervention that he granted this concession to Fitzgerald. the concessioB including portion of the disputed territory. The conces- sion was turned over to a corporation known as the Manoa Company. and the development of the tract was be- gun. A colony was established. towns were projected and the exploitation was started.
 Two years later. in 1888. the Eng fish became more vigorous in assert Ing their calms to land In the Ori- noco Valley claimed by Venezuela. The Fitzgerald interests had not succeeded, 1T they had tried. in getting the United