Mr. Peraza to Mr. Blaine.
Washington, February 17, 1890.
Sir: The undersigned has the honor to present his most respectful compliments to the Hon. James G. Blaine, and to remark that he deeply regrets the painful causes that occasioned the postponement of the interview which was to be granted to him on the 12th of December last, in which the undersigned hoped to receive some assurance with regard to the generous steps of the United States Government designed to put a stop to the conflict in which the territorial rights of Venezuela are involved by reason of the possession which has been forcibly taken of a part of Venezuelan Guiana by the Government of Great Britain.
Since that time matters have been daily becoming more serious, and have now reached an extremely critical and alarming stage, and, although the undersigned still proposes to solicit, at a future day, an interview on this subject, he nevertheless deems it necessary for him, in view of the gravity of the circumstances, to give a statement of the existing state of things in the present note, and once more to request the United States Government to use its good offices (which will be strengthened by its powerful influence) in order to bring about a settlement of the dispute between Venezuela and Great Britain by the means which international law and the spirit of modern civilization have provided for such cases.
The Honorable Mr. Blaine is already aware that agents of the Government of Great Britain have taken possession unduly and forcibly of the port of Barima, at the mouth of the Orinoco, which up to that time had been possessed by Venezuela, whose title to it was indisputable. It is only necessary to cast a glance at the map of South America in order to see the vast importance of this aggressive step of Great Britain. When a European maritime power has once obtained a foothold at Barima, it absolutely controls the Orinoco River and its numerous affluents. Through that artery it may penetrate as far as the Rio de la Plata. Venezuela is therefore not the only American republic that is at the mercy of the naval power that gets control of the Orinoco River. Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, the Argentine Republic, and Uruguay are likewise at its mercy. This is not a danger that threatens Venezuela alone; it threatens all America, and is, perhaps, more serious than the possession of the Panama Canal by a European power, since it would render nugatory the efforts which, through the initiative of the United States Government, are now being made by the nations of America to draw closer their family bonds, to unify their interests, and to have one and the same destiny in future. All these aspirations, which are based upon the continental idea which is now engaging the attention of the International American Conference, might be rendered fruitless by the presence and control in the Orinoco of so formidable a naval power as is Great Britain. Her vessels would enter the mouth of that river and would carry to the great centers of population her productions, her ideas, and her exclusive interests.
This, in the opinion of the undersigned, explains the haste with which Great Britain has acted in taking possession of the territory of [Page 783] Venezuela lying on the Orinoco. Great Britain wishes to be able to control that immense fluvial artery when the project of the unification of America is accomplished; this was understood by the Government of Venezuela when it appealed to that of the United States, asking that its influence might be exerted, not only in behalf of the rights of Venezuela, but also in behalf of American rights and interests, which were jeopardized by the British invasion on the Orinoco.
The undersigned has recently received advices from his Government, informing him that a British squadron has already arrived at Barbados, and that three steamers belonging to that squadron, viz, the Emerald, the Bellerophon, and the Partridge, have been ordered to Demerara; it was also positively asserted in Venezuela that there were British forces already at Barima; all of which shows that this act of invasion is not to be attributed to the colony, but that it is a measure adopted by the Government of the mother country.
These events, as Your Excellency will readily understand, have excited the people of Venezuela still more than they were already excited, especially in the towns situated near the scene of the conflict, and it is impossible to foresee the consequences to which they may give rise.
The Government of Venezuela is unwilling to abandon the hope which it bases upon the sincere friendship of that of the United States, that the latter will request Great Britain to consent to submit its dispute with Venezuela to arbitration, and it has consequently instructed me, with a view to bringing about this result, to beg Your Excellency with redoubled earnestness to lend the good offices of the United States Government, which is now more than ever the only source from which Venezuela can hope for assistance, since the nations of Europe, feeling irritated at the attitude which has been taken by the republics of South and Central America with the design of drawing closer their commercial relations with the United States, will not be willing to give any support to Venezuela, not even the moral support of their sympathy, inasmuch as a European power is concerned in the dispute, which shares with them the apprehensions that are felt by them all in consequence of the commercial and fraternal union with this Republic which is now being established through the American International Conference.
The undersigned therefore feels confident that when Your Excellency shall have taken into consideration the critical state of this question, the imminence of a conflict, and the reasons which the undersigned has had the honor to set forth in the present note, you will deign to act in compliance with this request, and that you will inform the Cabinet of St. James that the Washington Cabinet sincerely desires that the present controversy between Great Britain and Venezuela may be settled by the means that are now recognized and made use of by civilized nations for the decision of questions of this kind in accordance with reason and justice.
The same sentiments and desires were expressed by the President of the United States in his message of December 3, 1889, and the undersigned believes that if the idea which they involve were directly manifested by Your Excellency to the Government of Great Britain, it would be sufficient to induce that nation to assent to a peaceful settlement whereby all just rights would be guarantied; for the voice of the United States has always been listened to with deference by the European powers, especially when this nation has spoken in behalf of the legitimate interests of America, which it has defined in a doctrine that now forms part of its common law.
With sentiments, etc.,