The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1895-11-08
John Bull, A Bully.
a vigorous statement Of tho case by Henry
Cabot Lodge.
lSr ecial cnhle disL q oh 10 Tho NALL

(Srecial cable disl atch to the Wo,ld,)
l have only just returned frol
SPAN, and derive my information il
regard to Venezuela from what
have seen in the English newspaper
since l reached Paris From thei
statements it appears that Englan,
has sent An .ultimatum to Venezeul
threatening the use Of military. an,
naval force if reparation is no
made at once for alleged injuries t,
certain British subjects, and declin
ing arbitration as to large portion
OF the territory in dispute between
the two nations.
Reparation for injuries to the Eng
lish police is, of course, mere ex,
cuse, if this report is correct. Nations
90 not seek redress for such injuries
by at once threatening military re-
prisals. They begin by diplomatic
representations.
The Belgians some time ago hang
ed British subject with scarcely
the formality of u drum-head court
martial, but England has not yet
threatened Belgium with armed in
vasion.
The real point in Venezuela is the
disputed territory. There is not u
foot of lard west of the Essequbo
River to which England has an un-
disputed title in law and by historical
evidence; yet she has gradually push
e.. forward her boundary beyond that
river until she has seized from Ven,
ezuela territory as large as the State
of New York.
lfever there was proper case for
arbitration it is this. But England
has thus far declined arbitration and
has kept steadily on seizing land from
penexuela. The possession of all this
land, if reports are correct, she now
proposes 10 confirm by military
invasion and the use of force.
Such action, involving forciJlc
acquisition ofnew territory, is Il gross
violation of the Monroe ioctrnc an,
United States. " ~"
The English say that they cannot
recognize the Monroe doctrine; ;hat
it is not international law. That is
true enough. The independence Of
the United States was not aprinciplo
of international law, but it is tlc5
which We made England recognise.
The Monroe doctrine involves the
position, influence, and supremacy Of
the United States in the Americas.
Those are facts which must be rccog-
nized. If England can disregard
them, other nations will do the same
and in short time We shall be sur.
rounded by European dependencies.
We forced France to cyacua,c
Mexico. We cannot pclmat England
to occupy Vencz ella Territsry. il
We allow England to land troops and
invade Venezuela and hold new ter
ritory, We abandon our rights and
our duties and oul wcll-cs ,ablishcd
position in tho Hcstrn hemisphere.
and sink in the scale of nations. 10
this, in my opinion, the American
people will never submit If England
thinks they will, England is grieva
9usly ia error.
cannot imagine that Lord Sails"
bury government desires to force Il
war on the United States, but the
policy it has announced can have no
other result if persisted i'll. Tho
appearance of British fleets and armies
for the conquest of American terrific
ry anywhere will bl ing on war with
the United States, for the American
| people would never allow such action
on the part of any foreign power
and ought not to do so.
It is said that President Cleveland
has already sent a vigorous dispatch
to England in regard to Venezuela.
If he has done so he will have the
cordial supprlt of Americans of al
political parties. The President anc
Congress, Rcplicans and Democrats
will bo united in resisting at any Cost
any seizure or armed invasion of an,
American territory, such As is nov
apparently proposed by England
with reference to Venezuela.
HENRY CAEcT LopGE