128 Chapter 2
British to explore this area of South America. The plots he laid down and lines he
drew, ultimately favorable to the British, became their understanding of the borders
in that area. Venezuela naturally protested, vowing to never recognize the Schom-
burgk line. Unwilling to make any concessions, Great Britain followed through with
an occupation of the disputed territory. Venezuela immediately protested, but to no
avail.
Venezuela eventually broke off diplomatic relations with Great Britain on February
21, 1887, and their only means of recourse was to plead for American intervention.
After considerable resistance by Great Britain and an unwillingness through the early
1890s to submit the matter to arbitration, American pressure and persistence resulted
in British acquiescence to an investigative commission that ultimately concluded the
matter in 1899.
Coding changes: End Date changed from April 1887.
MID#254
Dispute Number: 254
Date(s): July 23, 1902 to February 13, 1903
Participants: 200 United Kingdom, 255 Germany, 325 Italy/101 Venezuela
Outcome (and Settlement): Compromise (Negotiated)
Fatalities: Missing
Narrative: This is a multilateral dispute principally involving Venezuela and the
parties of Great Britain, Italy, Germany, with further involvement from the United
States. Cipriano Castro, the Venezuelan dictator, had assumed power and began an
extravagant period in Venezuelan history where widespread murder of political dissi-
dents and looting of the public treasury became commonplace. As a result, Venezuela
became incapable and unwilling to pay off accumulating debts to interested parties
in Europe, especially the three countries of Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
As debts mounted, pressure from European bankers ultimately provoked the European
states to blockade five Venezuelan ports. Germany and Britain played the lead in the
blockade by way of a joint agreement to coerce Venezuela, including the use of small
scale bombardments on Venezuelan fortifications.
The United States intervened in December when Cipriano Castro convinced US
Secretary of State Herbert Bowen to negotiate an end to the blockade for Venezuela.
Two protocols were signed to end the blockade. The first protocol was completed by
February 13, 1903. Venezuela agreed to a partial cash payment for the “first line” dip-
lomatic claims. “Second line” diplomatic claims would be resolved in a mixed com-
mission with provision for a neutral umpire if the commissioners were deadlocked.
The Hague Tribunal would settle any objection by Venezuela of preferential treatment
for the blockading states—The Hague Tribunal later decided in favor of the block-
aders. A second protocol, reaffirming much of the previous one, was completed in
Washington, DC, on May 7. This incident ultimately brought forward what is known
as the “Roosevelt Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine.
Coding changes: Dropped from the dispute: 2 United States of America. End Date
changed from February 19, 1903.