Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-10-21
DANGERLiNE NEAR
Review of the Eritich.venezu.
clan Situation.
IT MUST BE FIGHT OR "FLUNK.p

lf the Alleged Statss OF the CNse Il Cor.
rect ms Between Uncle sam and John
Euli - Venezuela Ready to Bring the
Thing To n Head as Soon rs Our Congress
ss la session-Thc Feeling in England
and Anon. Washington Diplomats.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2i-If the newspa-
pcrs and the wiscacrcs have "got 1t right"
the question OF what the Monroe doctrine
means Is approaching solution pretty
rapidly for n subject in the hands OF
diplomats. That is, IL looks like II would
not bc great while before it Is known
whether the present Interpretation by the
American editor and Washington corrc-
spondcnt "gocs" From what can be
learned IL looks as though John Bull is
going right ahead with the settlement of
the Venezuelan question in his own way
without intending to trouble Uncle sam
for either advice or dictation. The trouble
between the two governments is that they
don't interpret that doctrine the same
way-os least that is how it looks from the
alleged Information at hand
British I'm Favor OF tho Doctrine,
The British claim that they favor the
broadly rs /: is allcg d the cabinet here
docs. There is where the trouble comes
In. And IL the statements Of the press as
20 the position Of the United States and
the doings OF Great Britain nre correct
one of three things must occur-England
must back water, or the United states
must, or there will be war That is the
straight view Of the case rs It is presented.
Thc American administration is declared
so havo taken the view that tie United
states must. according 70 the Monroe doc
trine interfere in the Venezuelan bound
ary dispute. because Great Britain's claim
IL u violation of that doctrine.
british Uitima,um to Venezuela.
Transgrcssions Of the Monroe doctrine
arr by thc doctrine itself dcciarcd-in un.
mistakablo tcrms-unfricndly acts toward
the United states. And there you are in
the Venezuelan ease. Meantime Great
Britain Is reported 20 have sent an ultima.
tum to Venezuela, and hasn't said word
10 Uncle sam about IL, either. There is
scarcely doubt that Venezuela, strong in
the belief that the American eagle will be.
gin To scream II j. II. persists, will Der.
cmptorily reject J. B.'s ult.natum, and
then the question will bc "What next."
Next Is that somebody will have to funk"
or light. That IL next. There may be Sc
rics of diplomatic pouI parlcrs, but they
viii be only the pYoliminary to the
'flunk" or fight
The Little Kcpubiic IL Ready.
Whilc officials and diplomats hero do
not go 10 the extent OF saying that war Is
probable or even possible between this
country and Great Britain, they do not
sec how il can be avoided without the
complete humiliation of onc Of the two
countries. IL Great Britain proceeds to
enforce its threats against Venezuela that
country will undoubtedly resist, and then
the United States will either have to
stand by the theories of President Monroe
as they are now interpreted or drop that
Interpretation. IL il well known that
Vcnczucla has bScn preparing for this
event for some time, and the belief is gem
cral tha. ~ soon Gs congress meets i'm
Washington so that the president can sc-
cure immediate cooperation the Vcpezu
clans Will make u bold move to occupy the
disputed territory, relying on help from
Uncle Sam.
There's Politics in II, Too.
The news has been of such n character
that there is talk already Of a special scs.
sion Of congress 70 assist the president in
"maintaining the integrity of American
soil.' That this would b. good political
move on the part Of the administration Is
generally admitted.