The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-12-25
MODIFYING THEIR TONE

Time, even though it be short, will
nearly always soothe the rutiled tenn
pers, not excepting English tempers.
A few days since and the English press
was unanimously of the opinion that
President Cleveland's attitude regard
ing the Venezuelan boundary dispute
was insolent, arrogant and outrageous
generally, and that the demand Of this
country that the subject of contro-
very be submitted to arbitration
could not be entertained in the slight
est degree by England; that acceding
to the demand involved shameful
surrender of long established English
rights-a surrender not to be contem-
plated for moment.
But the tone of the British press as
whole has been noticeably modified,
while an important break in the una
nimity is to be observed. The London
Chronicle, one Of the most influential
Of English dailies and leading organ
of the Liberal party, affords the first
evidence of resump tion of compos-
ure and sense on the part of the press
of the ''tight little ISLE" Day before
yesterday the Chronicle made the dec
laration that if the commission to be
appointed by President Cleveland for
the purpose of determining the valid
ity of Venezuele's claims "be composed
of men like Edward j. Phelps, Andrew
White and George f. Edmunds, it must
command respect, and that some fur
Their proposal from Lord Salisbury
would become expedient and neces-
sary."
Now, Of course, it must be apparen
to the Chronicle that the only 'furthe-
proposal from Lord Salisbury that
could meet with the favorable consid-
Grafton of the United States would be
one to arbitrate the difference between
his country and Venezuela in case
port in favor of the contentious of the
South American republic. Hence it is
probable hat the journal has concluded
that England can submit her claims TO
arbitration without loss of dignity or
a sacrifice Of rights. 1t is also alto
gether probable that in few weeks
several other journalistic direct
ors of British public opiuion
will uneostentatiously arrive at a
similar conclusion. When they
have had full opportunity to read
and ponder the presidents message il
the quiet and calm that comes after
the lapse of fortnight or 50, it will
dawn on them that Mr.. Cleveland's
famous and immortal document was
neither jingoistic in character nor in
different to English rights; that the
message simply requests that congress
support him i'll the maintenance of
doctrine that England is perfectly fa-
miliar with and that in a practical
sense is not essentially different from
the balance of power theory which
England has assisted ably in applying
to the politics of Europe and Asia.
II the territory claimed by Great
Britain really belongs TO Venezuela,
its occupancy by the former would
amount to an act of aggression, and
would mean an extension of English
power on this continent which would
be in contravention of the Monroe
doctrine particularly and the balance
OF power, as at present adjusted on
this continent, generally. If England
cannot respect the Monroe doctrine
she should hardly have the hardihood
to deny the balance of power doctrine.
If on the other hand the territory in
dispute does belong to Great Britain,
her occupancy of it would not amount
to any alteration or extension Of her
power on this continent. The most
honorable and economical way for
England to establish the right and the
wrong Of the controversy is to arbi-
trate it. This we believe she will do in
time.
There is little doubt about the mem.
bers of the commission being mea
fully equal to the reQuisites of the
work they will undertake. The presi-
dent, of course, fully apprehends the
gravity of the commissions task and
the vital Importance of the decision
the body will render. He has baen
eminently successful in his appoint
ments to high places, and both the
English and American public may rest
satisfied that the men who constitute
the commission will be entirely worthy
of the responsibility placed on them.
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND is unpopular
enough now with the English press to
almost justify the expectation that the
party will nominate him
for president in 1896.
A GOOD many very small apples have
gone swimming since the delivery Of
the presidents Venezuelan message.
DEFIES THE LAW OF GRAVITY
Thpra are roniurors and poniurOrs iuU.