Somewhere there must have been a boundary, but where, no man could tell.

The extreme claim of Great Britain would have given her command of the mouth of the Orinoco, while that of Venezuela would practically have eliminated British Guiana.

Efforts to settle this long-standing dispute were unavailing.

Venezuela had from time to time suggested arbitration but wished to throw the whole area into court.

Great Britain insisted upon reserving a minimum territory and would submit to judicial decision only the land west of what was known as the Schomburgh line of 1840.