Rensselaer Republican, Volume 28, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 October 1895 — THE CLAIMS OF ENGLAND AND VENEZUELA. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE CLAIMS OF ENGLAND AND VENEZUELA.

f I tjHE disagreement between Eng-, land and Venezuela with reference JL to the line which divides" British from Venezuela has existed many years. It is contented by the South Anrericamr +haU the Essequibo River forms the line, while the English claim considerable territory beyond. If the English claim is unjust its enforcement would involve a violation of the Monroe doctrine. As Secretary of State Olnoy views the matter there is at least sufficient reason in the claims of to create a doubt and justify Can Investigation. Accordingly he proposed -an arbitration, to which England replied that " while willing to submit her pretenses to one part of the territory to arbitration she was unwilling to yield that much with regard to another part. In reply to this Secretary Olney lays down the propositi oa:—; —“

1. If the quarrel with Venezuela is an ordinary boundary dispute, having its origiu in faulty desrriptimis, imperfect surveys or other misunderstandings, a refusal to arbitrate tlie same is contrary to the precedents set by Great Britain herself and-contrary to the practice of all civilized nations. -2. If, on the other hand, as appears to be the case, and as is the belief of the President; of the United States, .the dispute as to the location pf a boundary line is a mere disguise under which Great Britain is attempting by superior force to extend her territorial possessions in America, this is directly violative of the Monroe~3octrine and will never be submitted Id by the United States. This attitude plainly commits the United States Government to a resistance against .a,.forcible entry -on the part of England upon the disputed territory.