The herald., 1895-12-23
THE COMMERCIAL INSTINCT
Is Relied Upon to Find an Honorable
Solution
The Preachers Descant Eloquently Upon the
Wickedness Of War
The London Times Prints . Page Of Opin-
ions-Governor Hastings Of Pennsyl.
vania and the Poet Laureate Of
England Give Their Views

Associated Press Special Wire.
LONDON, Dec. 22.-Sir A. K. Rollitt, the
Conservative member of Parliament for
the South division of Islington and presi-
dent of the London and Hull associated
chamber of commerce, granted an exclu-
sive interview to a representative of the
Associated Press today on the outlook of
the Venezuelan question, especially on it's
financial side. After remarking that it
was q delicate and critical position, Sir
Albert said: ut is deeply to be regretted
that the incident has imperiled both the
good will and the trade. Even peace and
commerce must in any case be more seri-
ously interrupted and injured just at the
time prospects were improving and busi-
ness men were justly hoping for better
times"
He did not question the American at
tachment to the Monroe doctrine and that
IL was sanctioned by cogent reasons from
their point of view. But, after all, he added,
It was only an ex parte dictum and had
never been embodied in international law.
The feeling which inspired it, however, he
thought was intelligible; but, in the true
sense of the doctrine Great Britain could
not justly be said to desire an extension of
territory in seeking q delimitation of her
ITOutioTs VI lubIbtiuk upon u TeCORultlOu OF
what she believes to be her just rights,
by q state greatly indebted to her
for the development of her pub
lie works. He did not think it
wise for Englishmen to follow the example
of many Americans in attributing the
action OF President Cleveland merely to
party and personal motives. But he felt
confident that Americans generally would
ultimately realize that the course of Presi-
dent Cleveland and Secretary Olney was
impetuous and imperious, and had serious
ly embarrassed even the most peace loving
Englishmen. But he relied upon the good
sense and commercial instincts and inter-
ests of both peoples to discover a friendly
and honorable solution.
In this respect, the gentleman thought
the projected meeting of the New York
chamber of commerce would make for
peace. He was sure that the members of
the London chamber of commerce and of
other British chambers were animated by
the same amiable and peaceful feeling.
1t had singularly happened that the Lon
don chamber of commerce had shown that
spirit before the question became acute.
In 1891, Senor de Coda. president of the
Venezuela congress, had been received by
the chamber, and as the result of a friendly
conference, the chamber informed him
that If Venezuela made satisfactory over
lures for a settlement, the chamber would
back suggestion to the British govern
ment to arbitrate the question. Senor de
Coda expressed his satisfaction, and
thanks, but when, later, in response to the
Georgetown chamber, the London chamber
urged q prompt settlement of the question,
it learned no such overtures had been
made to Great Britain,
Again in 1898, when Sir A. K. Rollitt
and the council of the chamber had been
asked to meet the Venezuelan minister
they readily assented to the date named
Tor the interview, but the minister was un-
able to attend. The associated chamber
had also co-operated with the London
chamber on similar lines. This DISPOSE
ton should fortify the position of the
chamber in such crisis and he concurred
with them in thinking that International
arbitration ought to dispose amicably of
such question.
Certainly anything honorable and not an
indignity was preferable to war between
kindred nations. But Americans must re-
member that Great Britain had doctrines
and feelings, and in the last resort even
war: might be preferred to peace.
Either nation, however, ought to yield force
to right, rather than right to force.