The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1895-12-20
THE MONROE DOCTRINE MAIN.
TANNED.
A Ringing Message From Cleveland on
the Venezuelan Question,

A Ringing Message From Cleveland on
the Venezuelan Question.
Tuesday President Cleveland
sent to congress a message on the
reply of Great Britain in the
Venezuelan dispute. The reply is
embodied in two communications
addressed by the British prime
minister to Sir Julian Paunceforts,
British ambassador. The president
saws: ut will be seen that one of
these communications is devoted
exclusively to observations upon
the Monroe doctrine, and claims
that in the present instance new
and strange extension and develop
ment of this doctrine is insisted on
by the United States, and that the
reasons justifying an appeal to the
doctrine enunciated by President
Monroe are generally inapplicable
to the state of things in which we
live at the present day, and especi-
ally inapplicable to the controversy
involving the boundary line be-
tween Great Britain and Venezue'
la.
"Without attempting extended
arguments to reply to these posi-
tions," the president says, 'it may
not be amiss to suggest that the
doctrine upon which we stand is
strong and sound, because its en-
forcement is important to our coun
try and safety, as nation and es-
sential to the integrity of our free
institutions and the tranquil main
tenance of our distinctive form of
government. 1t was intended to
apply to every stage Of our national
life and cannot become absolete
while our republic endures. That
we should not seek to apply the
Monroe doctrine to the pending
dispute becapes it does not embody
any principle of International law
is, in my opinion erroneous.
This government has proposed
to the government of Great Britain
to resort to arbitration as the
proper means of settling the ques-
tion. 1t will be seen from the cor
respondence herewith submitted
that this proposition has been de-
ciined by the government upon
grounds which, under the circum-
| stances, seem to be far from salts
| factory. The course to be pursued
by this government, in view of the
present condition, does not appear
to admit of serious doubt. Moth
ing remains but to accept the situa-
tion, to recognize its plain require.
ments and deal with it accordingly
The dispute has reached such a
stage as to make it now incumbent
upon the United States to take
measures to determine with sui
ficient certainty for its justification
what is the true divisional. In
order that such an examination
should be prosecuted in thorough
and satisfactory manner, suggest
that congress make adequate ap'
preparation for the expenses of q
commission to be appointed by the
executive who shall make the nee
essary investigation and report up
on the matter with the least pos
sible delay. When such a report
is made and accepted it will, in
my opinion, be the duty of the
United States to resist, by every
means in its power, as willful ag-
gression unto its rights and inter-
est, the appropriation by Great
Britain of any lands or exercise
governmental Jurisdiction over any
territory which, after investigation,
we have determined of right be,
longs to Venezuela. In making
these recommendations, | am fully
alive to the responsibility incurred
and keenly realize all the conse-
quences that may follow. There;
no calamity which a great nation
can invite which equals that which
follows supine submission to wrong
and injustice ard consequent loss
of national self-respect and honor,
beneath which is shielded and de-