Public Opinion and International Relations: An Analytical Study of the Settlement of the Anglo-Venezuelan Boundary Controversy

The Anglo-Venezuelan boundary controversy occupies a peculiar place in the history of Anglo-American relations. The merits of this boundary dispute, the roots of which extended into past centuries, can hardly be said to be of importance to-day but the intervention of the United States in this dispute was of supreme Importance. In the following pages an attempt has been made to give a brief outline of the historical origin of the Anglo-Venezuelan boundary dispute; to show the principal points of difference in the contentions of the claimants while avoiding controversial discussion; to trace the diplomatic history of the controversy and the steps taken to bring about the intervention of the halted states; to examine into the causes of that outburst of passionate feeling which followed President Cleveland's message; and to follow the reaction in feeling in Great Britain which finally brought about the peaceful termination of the controversy. it would be hopeless to expect to bring within the compass of a single volume all that was said and written with reference to this incident and the account must, therefore, be given within broad outlines. The arbitration, under the treaty, properly belongs to another branch of the history of this dispute (hid no attempt has been made to enter into that field.