The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-23
ITS FINANCIAL SIDE.
The British Now Regret the
Injury to Commerce,
AND TALK OF CANCELLATION.
The Head Of the London 1hamoer Oh
Commerce Wants Peace, and Be- ID
ieves In Arbitration.
AND TALK OF CANCELLATION.

ronaop. dec. 22--slr A X. Rollit, the
+. 1..~ae.erets,re member 81 parliament for
the South division Of Isiingtou, and T'fesf+
dent of the London and taAiI AHso''le. eA
Chamber OF Commerce, Erantssi an e1et1~
sive Interview TO a representative OF the
sssoesated Press today on the outlook OK
the Venezuelan question, especially on Us
financial side after renarking that II was
a delicate and critical position, sir AFosfI
said. 9| -
1T is deeply to be regretted that the In.
cident has imperilied both the good VIII
and the trade OF the nations. Commerce
must In any case be more seriously inteF-
r,4nted and injured just at the time when
prospects were improving and business
men were Justly hoping for better times.
He did not question the American at
faehmaut 10 the Monroe doctrine. ana that
IL was sanctioned by cogent reasons from
their point OF View. But, after all, ne
added IL was only an ex parte dactum's ana
had never been embodied In international
Law. The feeling which inspired It, how
ever. he thought, was intelltRioie, BUT IN
the true sense Of the d0ctrlines Great Brit
ain could not justly be said TO desire an
extension of territory In seeking rehmita-
ton OF her frontier, or insisting upon
recognition Of what she believes TO he her
Just rights by state greatly indebted 70
her for the development OF her public
works He did not think IL wise for En-
ryIIshrnen to follow the example of many
Americans in attrfbuting the action OF
President Cleveland merely TO party ana
personal motives But he feft confident
that Americans generally would ultimate
~ realize that the course of President
Cleveland and Secretary Olney was impete
nous and fmperious, and had seriously en-
barrassed even the most peace-loVlhg En-
gIishmen. But he relied upon the good
sense and commercial instincts and inter
eats of both peoples 10 discover friendly
and honorable solution.
In this respect, the gentleman thought.
the projected meetings Of the New York
Chamber OF Commerce would maze for
peace. He was sure that the members OF
the London Chamber Of Commerce and
of other British schamtssrs Mere animated
by the same amicable and practical feel
ings.
Ii had singulariy happened that the
London Chamber OF Commerce had shown
that spirit before the question became
acute. In 1891 Senator De Coda, president
OF the NarezCola congress. had been re-
ceived by the chamber. and as the result
OF friendly conference the council OF the
chamber informed him that IL Venezuela
made satisfactory overtures for settle
ment the chamber would back sugges-
ton TO the British government 60 arbitrate
the question. Senator De Coda expressed
his satisfaction and thanks. but when.
later. I'm response 10 the Georgetown
chamber. the London chamber urged a
prompt settlement Of the question, II
learned that no such oyertures had been
made 10 Great Britain.
Again. in 1922 when Sir A. X. Rol:t md
the council OF the chamber had been asked
20 meet the Venezuelan minister they
readily assented 10 the date named for the
interview, but the minister was unable TO
attend. The associated chamber had also
co-operated with the London chamber on
similar lines. This disposition should for
tify the position of the chamber In such a
crisis. and he concurred with them in
thinking that international arbitration
ought TO dispose amicahiy of such n ques-
ton Certainly anything honorable and
not an indignity was preferable to war be-
tween kindred nations. But Americans
must remember that Great Britain had
doctrines and feelings. and in the last re-
sort even war might be preferred 10 peace.
Either nation. however. ought TO yield
force TO right, rather than right to force