Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-24
.,,nJ Nv the Communicated htef'

II The commission shall find that the
claim OF the British Government IS Wen
founded. or that the whole question i
50 doubtful that II is impossible TO say
with certainty what is the true diNisloh-
al line" we take il for granted That there
will be no war. This country VIII haiuiH
Co IN war with Great Britain to sustain
an unjust or unsubstantiated claim on
the part of nomenclature Baltimore
sun.
Risht. or course, this country Will
hardly 20 to war with Great Britain 10
sustain an unjust or unsubstantiated
claim on the part OF Venezuela" But H.
on the other hand. the commission as
certaius that Great Britain Is endeaVoTinS
10 grab new territory on this continent,
what then? Why. We must protect Nene-
zuels or haul down our Monroe doctrine
flag and become the laughing stock OF
the nations.
In the face Of report from our com
mission that Great Britain Is threaten
ing to gobble up great areas of Nenezue-
Ian territory, we cannot be silent or in
active
We are AT turning-point I'm our ma
lions history. No matter whether there
he war or peace. it is likely that when
tho pending question is settled Europe
and the United States will understand
one another with reference to the Monroe
doctrine much better than they do now.
The appointment of the commission COM
mits this country as it has never been
committed before to the Monroe doc
trine
We know good deal Of the horrors
81 war. 40 pen can exaegerate them
Nor 40 VIC underrato the patriotism
courage. and determination of the Brit
ish. Great Britain is the most formidable
enemy that We could have to contend
with. but, all the same. If the facts are
As represented 10 US by Venezuela, we
shall have to warn Great Britain that
any attempt on her part to pass the
divisional line between Venezuela and
British Guiana will be considered an
act Of war. Thus, If Great Britain will
not reconsider her rejection Of our offer
Of arbitration. and war comes. it will not
be a war of our making. but of her ma
kns.
Meanwhile let us sustain the President,
the commander-in-chief OF our army and
navy. Let US assume that he and his
Cabinet understand this question very
much better than We do. Don't let us
DO anything that will give the impression
abroad that We cannot trust the admin
istration. or that We are divided amongst
ourselves The Republicans in Congress,
tas well as the Democrats) are trusting
him implicitly. and why should not We?
The United States Senate. which Is some
times called the "Mllionaires' Club,
and which is certainly composed OF very
calm and dignifed men. has given him
It's support: the popular branch of Con-
ercss mas given him its support and the
press and the people are Overwhelmingly
opposed TO receding from the Monroe
doctrine. IT, in the judgment Of our com
mission and our President, this is a
place where the Monroe doctrine APP
plies.
We have no idea that England Will
deliberately disturb the status quo in
Venezuela pending the report Of the
United States commission. We earnestly
trust that there will be no imprudence
down there ON her part, or on the part
OF the Venezuclans. IL our commission
reports that Venezuela has no case. We
can have no further concern with the
matter But. in any event. the very best
way 10 secure peaceable settlement OF
the question is for our people 10 present
10 the world a perfectly solid and deter
mined front. We should put ourselves
IN the position Of encouraging English
argrcsslveness II we showed any dispo-
stion 70 divide on this question or 10
give the President balf-hearted sup
port. And so we say let as stand ny the
President.