Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 111, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 October 1899 — RETAINS THE ORINOCO. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

RETAINS THE ORINOCO.

Venezuela Wiae tbe Vital Point in the Boned rj I'iepute. The Venezuela boundary arbitration court, sitting in Paris, rendered its decision Tuesday. The court in effect splits the difference between the extreme claims of the parties. Venezuela retains the mouth of the Orinoco, which was the vital point of the controversy, yet tbe Venezuelans are already crying out that might has overcome right. On the other hand the English are very well satisfied, having obtained all they really expected. Venezuela saves Barima Point, the boundary line starting about thirty-five miles east thereof, thus preserving. the mouth of the Orinoco, besides a large tract of country within the Schomburgk line which England absolutely claimed. Great Britain on several occasions refused to consider arbitration regarding

territory within the Schomburgk line. This included the right bank of the Orinoco river, the command of which gave Great Britain control of the mouth of the great river. It was this claim that especially aroused the interest of the United States. If it was acknowledged, then southeastern Venezuela in a commercial and military sense would be subjected to the control of Great Britain. This was the crux of the controversy. The retention and complete control of the was essential to Venezuela’s independence. ’ . The decision of the tribunal, In addition to control of the Orinoco apd the coast line eastward, gives Venezuela all the territory westward of the Schomburgk line, which Great Britain diaimed, but was willing to submit to arbitration. In addition Venezuela gets 4,000 or 5,000 square miles in the interior eastward of the Schomburgk line in the territory that Great Britain would not originally submit to arbitration.

WHAT VENEZUELA GAINS.