The record-union., 1895-12-18

most EnSllSnInen WOuIQ agree 10 Ue Sdl-
utory, it is impossible to admit that
they have been inscribed by any ade-
quate authority in the code of interna-
tiCnal law
Again he says: They cher majesty's S
government fully concur with the view
which President Monroe apparently en-
tertained, that any disturbance of ex-
listing territorial distribution in that
hemisphere by any fresh acquisition on
the part of any European State, would
be a highly inexpedient change.
I'm the belief that the doctrine for
which we contend was clear and def
mite; that it was founded upon substan-
tial considerations and involved our
safety and welfare; that it was fully
applicable to our present conditions,
and to the pending controversy and
without any conviction as to the final
merits of the dispute, but anxious to
learn in a satisfactory and conclusive
manner whether Great Britain sought
under the claim of boundary to extend
her possessions on this continent with
out right, or whether she merely sought
the possession of territory facially in
cluded within her lines of ownership,
this Government proposed to the Gov
eminent of Great Britain TO resort to
arbitration as a proper means of set
Ting the question to the end that VeX-
atious boundary dispute between the
two contestants might be determined
and our exact standing and relation
in respect to the controversy might be
made clear.
1T will be seen from the correspond
ence herewith submitted that this prop
osition has been declined by the Brit
ish Government, upon grounds which
under the circumstances seem to me to
be far from satisfactory. 1t is deeply
disappointing that such an appeal, &C
tuated by the most friendly feelings
toward both the nations directly con-
cerned. addressed to the sense of JUS
tice and to the magnanimity OF one or
the great Powers of the world, ana
touching it's relations to one compare
lively weak and small, should have
produced no better results.
THE course to be pursued by this
Government. in view of the present con-
dition. does not appear to admit OF serl-
Gus doubt Having labored faithfully
for many years to induce Great Britain
to submit this dispute to impartial arbl-
tration, and having been now hnally
apprised of her refusal to do so, moth
ing remains but to accept the situation,
to recognize its plain requirements and
deal with it accordingly.
Great Britain's present proposition
has never thus far been regarded as
admissible by Venezuela, though any
adjustment of boundary which that
country may deem for her advantage,
and may enter into of her own free will,
cannot, of course, be objected to by the
United States. Assuming, however,
that the attitude of Venezuela will re-
main unchanged, the dispute has
reached such a stage as to make it now
incumbent upon the United States to
take measures to determine with suffi-
cient certainty for its justification what
is the true divisional line between the
republic of Venezuela and British
Guiana Inquiry to that end should of
course, be conducted carefully and judi
cially, and due weight should be given
to all available evidence, records and
facts in support of the claims of both
parties.
In order that such an examination
should be prosecuted in a thorough and
satisfactory manner, I suggest that
Congress make adequate appropriation
for the expenses of a commission to be
appointed by the Executive, who shall
make the necessary investigation and
report upon the matter with the least
possible delay. When such report is
made and accepted it will. in my opin-
ion, be the duty of the United States to
resist by every means in it's power as
willful aggression upon its rights and
interests the appropriation by Great
Britain of any lands or the exercise of
Governmental jurisdiction over any ter
ritory which, after investigation, we
heve determined OF right belongs to
Venezuela.
I'm making these recommendations
am fully alive to the responsibility in
CURED and fully realize all the conse-
quences that may follow
4 am nevertheless firm in my convic-
ton that while II is a greYious thing to
contemplate the two great English
speaking peoples of the world as being
otherwise than friendly competitors in
the onward march of civilization and
strenuous and worthy rivals in all the
arts of peace, there is no calamity which
a great nation can invite which EQUALS
that which follows supine submission
TO wrong and injustice and CONSEQUENT
loss of national self-respect and the
| honor beneath which is shielded and
defended peoples safety and greatness
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Dec H. 1895"
THE CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-Accompa-
nying the Presidents message to Con
gress was voluminous correspondence
on the Venezuelan question between
Mr.. Olney and Lord Salisbury through
-'AAhAAoNCA IodN dItl- he GOFGSD0n HanPp
begins with Secretary Olney's note of
July 20th last, reopening negotiations
with Great Britain in regard to the
boundary dispute and containing the
present Administration enunciatfon
OF the Monroe doctrine. Mr.. Olney saws
! in the beginning that the claims of
/ both Great Britain and Venezuela as
| to the boundary between the latter
| country and British Guiana are of a
/ somewhat indefinite character. but
! that while Venezuela has for a long
| time sought to have the dispute settled
1 by arbitration, Great Britain has in
! sisted upon the condition that the arbi-
tration should relate only to such OF
| the disputed territory as lies west of a
| line designated by herself After re-
| viewing the phases of the controversy
/ which resulted in the suspension of dip
/ lcmatic relations between Venezuela
! and Groat Britain in 1887 and describ-
ing the efforts made by the South
/ American republic since that time tc
/ obtain arbitration without success, Sec
retary Olney states that the matter had
! reached stage when the United States
in view of its traditional policy could
not be Indifferent.
Mr.. Olney summarizes the important
! features of the existing situation as
! fellows:
First-The title to territory of indef-
mite but confessedly very large extent
! is in dispute between Great Britain or
the one hand and the South American
| republic of Venezuela on the other.
Second-The disparity in the strength
of the claimants is such that Venezuela
can hope to establish her claim only
through peaceful methods-through ar
! agreement with her adversary either
! upon the subject itself or upon an ar.
! bitration.
Third-The controversy, with VARYING
claims on the part of Great Britain. ha.