142 THE ANGLO- VENEZUELAN BOUNDARY DISPUTE 



umes and an atlas, Great Britain's in seven volumes and an atlas. 

 Four months later, on July 15, 1898, each submitted its counter-case. 

 Venezuela's counter-case made three volumes and an atlas. Great 

 Britain's two volumes and a portfolio containing six maps. Four 

 months later, on November 15, 1898, each submitted its printed argu- 

 ment,Venezuela's being contained in two volumes and Great Britain's 

 in one. The formal sittings for hearing the oral argument began in 

 Paris, June 15, 1899, and lasted through fifty-four sessions of four 

 hours each, ending on the 27th of September. Just one week later, 

 on October 4, 1899, the unanimous award of the tribunal was pre- 

 sented, and a controversy which had lasted for fifty-eight years, 

 which had brought three nations to the very verge of war, was over. 



Great Britain was represented by four counsel, Sir Richard E. Web- 

 ster, Attorney General ; Sir Robert T. Reid, ex-Attorne}' General ; Mr 

 G. R. Askwith, and Mr Rowlatt. 



Venezuela was represented b}^ Gen. Benjamin Harrison, ex-Pres- 

 ident of the United States; Mr S. Mallet-Prevost, formerly secretary 

 of the United States Venezuelan Boundary Commission ; Gen. Benja- 

 min F. Trac}^ and Mr James Russell S0I63'. 



Sir Richard opened for Great Britain in a speech lasting thirteen 

 days ; Mr Mallet-Prevost followed for Venezuela in a speech of thir- 

 teen days. Finally Sir Richard closed for Great Britain and General 

 Harrison for Vene/Aiela. Can I be mistaken in thinking General 

 Harrison's argument much the stronger one ? The speeches were 

 reported in shorthand and printed from day to da}', the whole 

 making eleven folio volumes. 



The Aicnrd. — The award was completed and signed October o, 1899, 

 and is signed by all the judges. It is a short document, making only 

 about half of an ordinar}' newspajier column. After reciting in legal 

 phrase the creation of the tribunal, its memljership, and its duties, it 

 declares : 



" Now we, the undersigned arbitrators, do hereb3Mnake and publish 

 our decision, determination, and award of, upon, and concerning the 

 questions submitted to us by the said treaty of arl)itration, and do 

 hereby, conformably to the said treaty of arbitration, finall}^ decide, 

 award, and determine that the boundary line between the colony of 

 British Guiana and the United States of Venezuela is as follows: 



"Starting from the coast at Point Playa, the line of boundary shall 

 run in a straight line to the River Barima at its junction with the 

 River Mururuma and thence along the midstream of the latter river 

 to its source and from that point to the junction of the River Haiowa 



