THE MONROE DOCTRINE 419 



self with claiming the Essequibo line the line of the Essequibo 

 River, that is to be the true boundary between Venezuela and 

 British Guiana. On the other hand, at least an equal degree of 

 indetiniteness distinguishes the claim of Great Britain. . . . 



To the territorial controversy between Great Britain and the 

 Republic of Venezuela, thus briefly outlined, the United States 

 has not been and, indeed, in view of its traditional policy, could 

 not be indifferent. The note to the British Foreign Office by 

 which Venezuela opened negotiations in 1876 was at once com- 

 municated to this Government. In January, 1881, a letter of the 

 Venezuelan Minister at Washington, respecting certain alleged 

 demonstrations at the mouth of the Orinoco, was thus ansVered 

 by Mr. Evarts, then Secretary of State : . . . 



Subsequent communications to Mr. Bayard direct him to ascer- 

 tain whether a Minister from Venezuela would be received by 

 Great Britain. In the annual Message to Congress of December 

 / 3d last, the President used the following language: 



" The boundary of British Guiana still remains in dispute between 

 Great Britain and Venezuela. Believing that its early settlement, 

 on some just basis alike honorable to both parties, is in the line 

 of our established policy to remove from this hemisphere all 

 -causes of difference with powers beyond the sea, I shall renew 

 the efforts heretofore made to bring about a restoration of diplo- 

 matic relations between the disputants and to induce a reference 

 to arbitration, a resort which Great Britain so conspicuously 

 favors in principle and respects in practice and which is earnestly 

 sought by her weaker adversary." 



And February 22, 1895, a joint resolution of Congress declared 

 " That the President's suggestion . . . that Great Britain and 

 Venezuela refer their dispute as to boundaries to friendly arbitra- 

 tion be earnestly recommended to the favorable consideration of 

 both parties in interest." 



The important features of the existing situation, as shown by 

 the foregoing recital, may be briefly stated. 



1. The title to territory of indefinite but confessedly very large 

 extent is in dispute between Great Britain on the one hand and 

 the South American Republic of Venezuela on the other. 



2. The disparity in the strength of the claimants is such that 

 Venezuela can hope to establish her claim only through peaceful 

 methods through an agreement with her adversary either upon 

 the subject itself or upon an arbitration. 



3. The controversy, with varying claims on the part of Great 

 Britain, has existed for more than half a century, during which 



