The evening times., 1895-10-04

Recent Developments in the Venezuelan
question have caused it to come forcibiy
to the front, and State Department officials
believe it to be assuming shape which
makes it the most important matter now
pending Of an international character.
Secretary Olney has prepared a dispatch
to Ambassador Bayard, which will soon
bring the matter to an issue. This dispatch
is of a most positive and dunequiyOcal nal ture.
As soon as 1t shall be placed before the
British government 1t will raise an issue
which can be settled only by the retreat Of
one or the other government.
Secretary Olney sdispatch is, insubstance
a declaration in the most positive language
that the United States will never consent to
British occupation of the disputed territory
in Venezuela unless that nations right
thereto is first determined by arbitration.
While this declaration is substantially the
same as that which was made some months
ago, and TO which the British foreign office
replied with a statement that England's
right to q part Of the territory In question
could be submitted to arbitration. the right
to another part of the region In question
could not be submitted to such adtudica-
ton.
TENOR OF THE DISPATCH.
When Great Britain took thi ground the
question which President Cleveland and his
advisers had to decide was whether the
United States was bound by the NJ onroe doc
trjne and by her dignity to insist that all
of the territory is dispute should be sub
niitted TO arbitration, or whether by con-
ceding England's contention we should viz
tually abandon the field and leave Venezuela
to fight ii out alone.
The decision of the President and his Cabi
net advisers, after careful discussion and
painsta king Investigation. .isthattheboidand
consistent policy shall be adopted. and this
policy has been formulated in the dispatch
which Ambassador Bayard will lay before
the British government as soon as he re-
turns from his present journey to Scotland.
The dispatch meets Ergiaud's rcioinder
with a reaffirmation of the principles of
the original contention, expressed in
phrases which leave no possibility of doubt
as to the niea uiug or the earnestness of the
United States
NO BRITISH FOOTHOLD.
1t does more. In polite but firm and sig
nifica at words Secretary Olney declares it
to be the belief of the United States govern
ment that the territorial claims which
Great Britain has set up in Venezuela are in
the nature of an attempt to seize territory
on the American continent to which she has
no legal right. The Secretary poiuts out
two horns to the dilemma, leaving Great
Britain to choose which il will accept.
First-If the quarrel with Venezuela
is all ordinary boundary dispute, having
its origin in faulty descriptions. imperfect
surveys. or other misunderst9 udings,
a refusal to arbitrate the sameis contrary
To the precedents set by Great Britain her
self and contrary to the practice of all
civilized nations.
MONROE DOCTRINE APPLIED.
sccond-If. on the other hand, as appears
TO be the case. and as is the belief Of the
President of the United States, the dispute
as to the location of a boundary line is n
mere disguise under " hich Great Britain
is attempting by superior force to extend
her territorial possessions in America,
this is directly vioiative OF the Monroe
doctrine, and will never be submitted to
by the United States.
This is the substance of the dispatch " hich
in all probability win soon become one OF
the most famous dispatches ever sent out
from the American State Department.
1t is a direct, positive and practical
application of the Monroe doctrine in its
broadest aspect to the quarrel between
Great Britain and Venezuela. 1t commits
the United States to position which must
be adhered to, and the administration is
prepared to stand by it, and believes il VIII
have the enthusiastic support OF Congress
and of the country therein.