Republic of Independent Guiana

Counani ( französische Aussprache: [kunani] ), ^{[ c ]} offiziell die Republik des unabhängigen Guyana (französisch: République de la Guyane Indépendante ; französische Aussprache: [ʁepyblik də la ɡɥijan ɛ̃dɛpɑ̃dɑ̃t] ), oder die Republik Counani , war ein Staat, der 1886 in einem umstrittenen Gebiet zwischen dem damaligen Pinsônia [ ^{4 ] [ 5 ]} und Französisch-Guayana entstand und sich hauptsächlich aus einheimischen Brasilianern [ ^{6 ]} , aber auch aus Crioulos , Caboclos und Schwarzen zusammensetzte, denen es im Allgemeinen gleichgültig ^{war ,} wer das Gebiet regieren würde. ^{[ 7 ]}

Sie wurde von französischen und schweizerischen Abenteurern ausgerufen, die nach der Lektüre idyllischer Beschreibungen des pseudo-anarchistischen Entdeckers Henri Coudreau – der die Gegend während seiner zwanzigjährigen Reise durch Pinsônia kartierte und ausführlich darüber publizierte – dorthin auswanderten. ^{[ 8 ]} Sie stellten die gängige Vorstellung einer „Grünen Hölle“ in Frage und verbündeten sich mit den Einheimischen. ^{[ 9 ]} Die Republik, der zunächst der französische Intellektuelle Jules Gros vorstand , ^{[ 10 ]} blieb jedoch unerkannt.

Zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts behauptete der ehemalige französische Hauptmann Adolphe Brézet ^{[ d ]} in Paris, nach einem längeren Aufenthalt in der Region von den Counanioten zum Anführer ihrer Nation gewählt worden zu sein. Sein Schreiben löste sowohl in Brasilien als auch in Frankreich Besorgnis aus, doch bald stellte sich heraus, dass ihm die Mittel für die Reise fehlten ^{[ 11 ],} obwohl er angeblich um 1902 behauptet hatte, Kredite in Höhe von bis zu 50 Millionen von den Deutschen beschaffen zu können. ^{[ 6 ]} Der von dem Freibeuter gegründete „ Freistaat Counani “ erlangte kurzzeitig diplomatische Anerkennung von Russland, Japan, Belgien und den Burenrepubliken, bevor er in den 1910er Jahren in Vergessenheit geriet. ^{[ 3 ]}

Long regarded in European lore as the fabled El Dorado, the area captivated imaginations for centuries. In its early days, pioneering priests ventured deep into the region, instructing the native inhabitants in the cultivation of cacao, coffee, and other vital crops, thereby transforming the landscape into productive agricultural zones. For over a century, the territory had been referred to as the "Conteste Franco-Brésilien" — a disputed zone that, despite its strategic and economic allure, remained largely unoccupied and ungoverned by either of the rival powers claiming it until the 1900s.^[6]

To help protect themselves from the Cabanagem revolt, France built a fort in 1840 on the eastern bank of the Oyapock River, within what was then Brazilian-claimed territory. In response, Brazil established another fort past the Araguari, threatening France's claimed land.

The risk of war resulted in British mediation in 1841, after which the two rival forts were dismantled. His Imperial Majesty Dom Pedro II accepted the neutralization of the territory between the rivers, pending negotiations deciding its attribution.

While the Treaty of Paris was very clear, establishing the border at the Oyapock with mention of geographic coordinates, His Majesty, confident of prevailing in the dispute, allowed some flexibility in order to buy time and address internal challenges facing the Empire, which was threatened with fragmentation.^[12]

According to the 1901 Constitution of Counani, the state would be 25 years old, marking its foundation in 1876. Furthermore, The Sun claimed that the native Counanese had already established an independent government of their own in 1874, their democratically elected president being "M. Chaton", drafter of the State constitution, which bore his name.^[6]

This seems unlikely and satirical whatsoever, as "Chaton" literally means "kitten". Even then, he is part of clear presidential line claimed by Segundo Sarrión y Díaz Herrera, "Counani's representative in Portugal, Spain and Morrocco":^[13]

Chaton (1874–), Paul Cartier (Quartier?), Adolphe Brezet (1892–1894), Albert Franken (1894–?), Adolphe Brezet (1901-1910s). In addition, usurper Francisco X. V. Cabral (1895) was mentioned.

The borders between the empires of France and the Brazil were not clear. Attempts at negotiations failed, and in 1862, it was decided that the area between the Amazon and the Oyapock rivers was a neutral territory. Paul Quartier, who had previously visited the territory in 1883, returned in 1885 and had a meeting with the village chiefs of Counani and Carsewenne (nowadays: Calçoene) who were hostile to the Brazilians.^[2][12] Quartier signed a treaty on 23 July 1886, creating the country of Counani in the disputed area.^[14]

In 1886, Gros embarked on a scheme hatched for him by British businessmen who wanted to make him president for life of the so-called new country in exchange for the right to control the country's infrastructure for ninety years.^[15]

A government was set up in Counani^[16] led by Jules Gros as president, Guigues as Minister of State and Quartier as Quartermaster. They set about recruiting settlers, and according to Le Gaulois, received over 3,000 requests.^[2] Both France and Brazil did not like what was happening and released a joint statement on 11 September 1887 stating that the Republic of Counani was not recognized.^[2] Gros was later deposed by his officials, and the death of Gros in 1891 resulted in the end of the short lived first Republic.^[17]

In 1894–95, the discovery of rich deposits of gold and precious stones in the Carsewenne region attracted several thousand Brazilian prospectors, disrupting the demographic balance in their favour. Rising ethnic tensions culminated in what became known as the "Mapá Incident".^[12]

Supposed Counani's representative in Iberia and Morocco, claimed that on 12 December 1894, a popular levant deposed Eugene Voissien, an influent warlord in Amapá, opening a door for what would happen in the following:^[13]

Im Mai 1895 wurde Trajano Bentes, ein pro-französischer ehemaliger brasilianischer Sklave und Anführer von Carsewenne, von einer brasilianischen Miliz unter General Francisco Xavier da Veiga Cabral verhaftet. Cabral hatte einen autonomen Staat unter einem Triumvirat ausgerufen, der angeblich unter dem Schutz Brasiliens stand. Bentes wurde in die überwiegend brasilianische Stadt Mapá gebracht , um dort vor Gericht gestellt zu werden. Daraufhin entsandte Camille Charvein , Gouverneur von Französisch-Guayana, Truppen in die Region, um die territoriale Integrität Frankreichs zu verteidigen – ohne die Genehmigung des französischen Außen- oder Kolonialministeriums. Trajano wurde freigelassen, doch es folgte ein heftiges Gefecht: Der französische Hauptmann und sechs Soldaten wurden getötet, woraufhin sich die Einheit zurückziehen musste. Etwa dreißig brasilianische Soldaten und Zivilisten kamen ebenfalls ums Leben; dies soll als Vergeltungsmaßnahme geschehen sein. ^{[ 12 ]} Es wird behauptet, Cabral sei später im selben Jahr durch eine „Revolution“ gestürzt worden. ^{[ 13 ]}

Der Vorfall löste einen internationalen Skandal aus. 1897 legten sowohl Frankreich als auch Brasilien den Streitfall den Schweizern vor, im sogenannten Berner Schiedsgerichtshof . Am 1. Dezember 1900 sprach das neutrale Gericht Brasilien fast das gesamte umstrittene Gebiet (147 von 150 Meilen) zu – eine Entscheidung, die Frankreich akzeptierte, wenn auch angeblich gleichgültig (Du Réau, 2000). ^{[ 12 ] [ 2 ]} Die Counaner wurden nicht in die Einigung einbezogen und lehnten es daher verständlicherweise ab, sich von dem Dekret beeinflussen zu lassen oder eine Beeinträchtigung ihrer Unabhängigkeit anzuerkennen.

Am 1. Februar 1901 wurde der abenteuerlustige Franzose Monsieur Adolphe Brezet, der als „Garibaldi von Counani“ und „Adels-Poser“ beschrieben wurde und mit mehreren gescheiterten Freibeuterversuchen in Verbindung gebracht wird, angeblich seit 1892 Präsident ^{[ 13 ]} , nach einer allgemeinen Wahl im Januar von der einheimischen Bevölkerung zum Regierungschef wiedergewählt – nur einen Monat nach Abschluss des Schweizer Schiedsverfahrens. Er verbrachte seine Amtszeit größtenteils in Europa und beanspruchte ein Gebiet von etwa 350.000 Quadratmeilen, das im Süden vom Amazonas und dem Rio Negro, im Westen vom Rio Branco und im Norden von den Guayanas begrenzt wurde. ^{[ 6 ] [ 3 ]}

This incarnation of the Counanese State consisted of a President, followed by a Chancellor and a 10-member state council, along with a House of Representatives that consisted of an Upper Chamber and a Grand Council. Meanwhile, public security was assured by a permanent force of police and gendarmes — as every Counaniot, 15 to 60, had to be a soldier in varying degrees of intensity — and the republic was represented abroad by a "body of diplomatic and commercial agents in every land".

On 14 May 1903, the International Committee of the Red Cross received an act of accession to the Geneva Convention from the Free State. The signatory, Adolphe Brézet, styling himself as head of government, was promptly informed by the Committee that he lacked the legal authority to make such a declaration on behalf of the people of Counani.^[18]

In 1906 the Counanian government published, to clarify the righteousness of their position, a diplomatic paper called "Red Book No. 3":^[6] described as "really very nicely printed", with "fairly correct" punctuation, "clear and easy to read".^[3] The book also mentions that old motto of "Justice and Liberty" was retained, but a supplementary trademark was added: "Je maintiendrai par la Raison ou par la Force". A copy is on file in the United States State Department at Washington.^[6]

"There is much in that pamphlet to appeal to free-spirited Americans, and the claims there adduced should properly be considered apart from the machinations of men like the Baron de Ott and his kind. The Brazilian government has done little or nothing toward developing the region in question. Tropical woods and the wealth hidden in the soil have made Counani much to be desired by those in power at Rio de Janeiro. For the same reasons, perhaps, Germany has looked upon the territory with greedy eyes."

The South AfricanBoer Republics opened diplomatic relations with Brezet (who had fought for them previously during the Boer Wars),^[19] and in 1904, Japan and Russia asked for vessels which Brézet didn't have and thus exposed himself to France and Brazil. It was said: "Another illusion gone, another castle in Spain crumbled to dust and ashes in Counani. Nothing remains, not even Port Tarascon of the immortal Tartarin". — Paris correspondence, New York Press.^[3]

In 1910 Brezet recruited "His Excellency the Honourable" Thomas L. Reynolds, former Tammany ward leader, as "Ambassador Plenipotentiary from the Amazon Republic" in New York, who would later be arrested in 1918.

In 1911 he was exiled to London.^[20]

In 1913, he claimed support of "British military and naval men" in a plan to expel Brazilian presence in the region and re-establish the Utopian Republic.^[6]

On 29 January 1916, Counani declared war on Germany, before that, it was especulated that the Free State was a German plan to capture the resource rich region in Brazil.^[6]

In 1990s Paris, the "Constitutional Executive in Exile of the Free State of Counani" emerged, aiming to protest the treatment of Indian peoples and environmental degradation in Amapá. Their flag replicated the original design of Gros' republic, with the addition of the white star on its centre.

One consistent feature throughout most of the history of Counani was the issuance of stamps, reflecting its struggle to claim to sovereignty. As philatelist Gauthier Toulemonde noted in The Atlas of Philately (from A to B): "It is unimaginable for a country not to issue stamps, which are a mark of power and sovereignty."^[18]

The government of the Free State tried to join the Universal Postal Union, which the bureau at Berne respectfully acknowledged, but silly adds that it is impossible to give the information requested until the moment when the recognition of Counani has had been obtained.

As of 3 September 1904:^[3]

Commander of the Army: Baron Jette de Ryckel

Financial Secretary: Joseph Marie Brezet, Duc de Beaufort

Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs: M. Isidore Lopez Lapuya