Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1846-03-04

WAsHINGTON, 9th February, 1916

WASHINGTON, 9th February 1916
EDIToRs PALLADIUM Gentlemen: On Wednesday
last the House adopted resolution to terminate the de-
bate on the Oregon question at half past o'clock
to-day Since the adoption of this resolution the House
mas met each day at ten o'clock being hours earlier
than usual. On Saturday the House had continued
session from ton o'clock A. VI until twelve O'Clock F. NJ
bein" fourteen hours The whole of the time was
pied III debate \ ard increased interest given
10 the question, by messag" communicated to the
House of Representatives Saturday BY the President
containing correspondence between the British Minis
ter and the Secretary of State of the United States,
which has transpred since the meeting of Congress.
The message also continued letter from Nh Mel
the American Minister at the Court of Great Britain III
relation to the warlike preparations which have recently
been made by the British Government.
The Prc~iden. hai instructed Mr. Mclean 10 ascertain
whether those preparations had any reference to the
prospects of between the United States and Great
Britain Mr. McLane states that he had had an inter
view with the Earl of Aberdeen the Minister Foreign
Affairs of Great Britain, and had enqured of him the
cause and object OF these extensive preparations. The
Earl Of Aberdeen dsclalned that they made with
any view to with the United States. but they were
such Great Britain would have made if there was no
subject OF controversy with the United States At the
same time he stated that they would be useful to the
British Government, if the difficulties pending
should result in and they would course use them
Mr.. Mclean endeavors put our Government upon
their guard, and states that be disguised
the preparations making by the government of Great
Britain are exactly of that character which would be
the most servceabe 10 her in the event of a war with
the United States and that he has fully satisfied himself
that 1t will be the policy and object the British Co
vernment, II they engage in war with to inlct
much injury possible upon the The cor
respondence between Mr. Pakenham and Mr. Buchanan.
dscloses the fact December last the British CO.
vernment renewed the offer which before bee made
TO submit to the arbitration of State monarch the
question Of division OF the Oregon Territory between
the British Government and the United States This
offer was rejected by the President, upon the alleged
ground that TO submit the question of dividing the
would be admission that the British Government
had claim 10 a portion of it, which was wholly
denied Mr. Pakenham then offered in order obviate
this objection submit the question of title TO the
whole territory ana all other questions connected with
0 arbitration and to remove the objection which has
been urged, that could expect IA Impair
at division from crowned head he offered submit
the whole question the decision of Board to be com
posed Of distinguished individuals This proposition
rejected BY the president and absolute given
any mode form OF arbitration
The correspondence has produced some sensation here
and many speculatons INDUCED influence
upon the question OF peace 1t has been hoped
that If other of avoiding could be found
that this controversy might ultimately be settled by
btraton and thus peace be preserved without the
fec of honor on the part Of either nation. The
pursued by administration has of this hope and
closed tie door eTectuay this mode of settlement.
II can Only be settled by direct negotiation by
war Whether it can now be settled by negotiation
must confess appears to me extremely doubtful. We
placed British Government in the position that
she either accept OF terms less favorable than
Government has heretofore repeatedly ored to her.
she must fight However she may be 10
fear that her pride will prevent from
placing herself the position OF backing
accept less favorable than those she has be fore
refused.
The whole Of tho Administration upon the Or
question has been continued Of wretche
and unfortunate bunder. and if the country shall be
involved a it will be the of their policy
The Administration started with the assumption that
our title ali of Oregon clear and inquest onable
and that be maintained Md Vet the very
tn assertion t1zce I.oatts they offered
nearly halt The territory Great Brit