Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-11-06

The North American Review TOT NJ
vember contains two articles on ou'
Duty In the Venezuelan Crisis the one
nv Representative Joseph Wheeler oi
Alabama. and the other by Represents
tive Charles II. orosvenor. OF o"'o' 0."
writer's plant themselves firmly on '"e
Monroe doctrine Mr.. Wheeler says:
.uve have always carefully absta'ned
frorn any interference with these pos
sessions OF GREAT Britain. but to allow
that NATHAN TO extend her territory on
mis- hemisphere, either by treaty. or pur-
chase. or conquest. or by the 'hspn"u ',
encroachments which have charac'@''~u
her dealings with Venezuela. the peops
of the United states should res's, WI"
~, ,hs ROVER they possess. England fully
understands that the principles announced
t,v Mr. Monroe have become aetiled
no,,cv az the United States. and as such
must be considered and accepted as prih-
cIples of international law
The Alabama Congressman then refers
~ the positlon taken by President FOLK
regarding Yucatan, and argues that GER
tainly q policy we then boldly asset'eu'
when our population was only ABOUT
% 600 900. we can now firmly MAINTAIN.
Moveover. he contends that so far from
receding from the strictest construction
of the doctrine laid down by Monroe, tns
United States ought to extend their poiicy
and look 10 the establishment OF oepo's
and naval stations, around when Amerr
can colonies would locate, sufficiently
strong TO encourage and protect our trade
and commerce. President Polk, he gays
advanced a step in lS4s. and we must
take another step forward In 1875.
Representative Grosvenor holds that
this government should place itself I'M
movably upon a just and ipteihseh'
definition of the Monroe doctrine In oe-
f,nins it's position towards the Venezuelan
situation, and presents as what shouid DC
our precedent our course In respect Oh
the occupation Of part OF Mexico ny
Macmillan, acting as the agent OF the
French Government. He maintains that
Great Britains action In the Nicaraguan
affair was violation OF the Monroe doc-
trine; that this government ought IN
that case to have demanded explanation
and satisfaction, and that our failure to
do so encouraged the subsequent aggres-
s,ons in Venezuela. In conclusion Mr..
Grosvenor says:
"The attitude of the United States to-
wards the Venezuelan question should pe
that of determined opposition 10 an!
movement of England. the result OF which
would impair or weaken our ancient de-
claration of support Of the Monroe doc
trine. Our construction OF the scope OF
that doctrine should be proclaimed ana
adhered to. Once proclaimed, a faithfui
adherence to and recognition OF our con-
struction by the nations OF the earth
should be the conditions upon which alone
friendly relations with us can be main
tanned"
These two articles derive additional
interest, force, and significance from the
fact that the writer's represent two diner
ent sections of the country. and are
members of different political parties.
One is a southern Democrat, and the
other is western Republican. Their
views may, therefore, be taken as fairly
representing the form In which the gene
raj sentiment OF the country Is crys'ai-
lizing as respects the Monroe doctrine.
The Venezuelan situation has. In the
mean time, we are led to believe, assumed
a less acute phase. so FAR as the
United States and Great Britain are con-
cerned; yet, It would seem that there
could hardly be a more opportune occa-
sion for having distinct and definite
understanding regarding the Monroe doc
trine. The Venezuelan boundary dispute
has been on for about half century.
and has more than once supplied the IN
spiration for an outburst OF British JIM
goism, when such inspiration was needed
10 subserve a purpose at home. But. just
at present, Great Britain has plenty OF
excitants to Jingosm without this one
some of which are infinitely more serious
Whether there be any truth or not In
the report that Russia has gained i'm
portant concessions from China touching
the Liao-Tung Penlnsula-a report that
has been several times denied, and as
often reaffirmed-there appears no doubt
that she succeeded In devitalising the
treaty of Shimonoseki. just as Great Bri-
tain did the treaty of San Stefano. and
that Rosebery was clearly outwitted. and
left British interests In the far East In
a precarious condition. The work OF re
storing British prestige in this quarter
alone is q big task for the Salisbury Min
istry, and together with other com
plications pressing upon the attention
of the Foreign Office. Is calculated &c
make Great Britain much more ready
to come to an understanding with us re
garling Venezuela and the principle In
yolved than she would otherwise be. Fo'
many reasons we have not felt that there
was danger Of grave trouble between thu
United States and Great Britain over thu
Venezuela question; but. none the less
we think this government would not ac
unwisely in taking advantage Of the op
| portunity now presented for bringing thu
| issues involved In the Monroe doctrine Il
| friendly and PERMANENT conclusion. This
| might prevent serious trouble In the fu
ture.
The washington Post SAYS that o.