Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-12-23
Translated from the N. Y. Stats Zeitung ]
THE. VENEZUELAN MATTER.

Translated from the N. Y. Stats Zeitung
THE VENEZUELAN MATTER.
The undue haste of Mr. Cleveland in
the Venezuelan question has been ag-
gravated by the action of Congress, but
we still have the consolation to think
that the time to be occupied by the
proposed commission will afford ample
opportunity for a second sober thought,
which will predominant in the end.
Party feeling will also create a reaction
in this matter and we would not be sur
prised if the republicans would soon.
find out that it would have been to-
their interest to advocate more con-
servative policy instead of hitching
themselves to the chariot of the Presi-
dent, and Mr.. Cleveland will find that
he has lost great deal of his hold On
the better classes, who have backed
him so far
Eogle I'd is accused of taking advan-
tage of weak country by attempting
to steal some of its territory. This is
according to English practice and it
we'll becomes the United States to pro-
Iect her sister republic against the Eu-
glish "bully." The question is how
Shall this be accomplished. Our de-
mand that England should submit this
question of boundary dispute to a
court of arbitration, was a proper.
one, but since England has re-
fused to SO. our government
should have notified the English gov
ernment that we would investigate the
respective claims of England and Ven
ezuela, and would reserve the right of
farther action until then. The Vene-
zuela commission is all right, but not
the threat coupled with it. 1t was a
mistake to base our demand upon the
Monroe doctrine, because it is easy to
prove that the extension of this doc
trine to the extent of protecting all the
South American republics in their con-
flicts with European powers, is a dis
avowal of the American policy up to
the times of Seward. The latter did
not base his opposition against French
intervention in Mexico upon the Mon
roe doctrine, but upon the right of the
American people to shape their own
governments. Mr.. Blaine was the first,
one who advanced this idea now pro.
mulgated by Mr.. Cleveland, but be
soon receded from it because he found
it too dangerous, and during his several
terms of Office he was much more con-
servative. To base our demand upon
the Monroe doctrine, it was necessary
for England to attempt to overthrow
the Venezuelan government and to
supplsnt it by another, but it appears
that the trouble is only question of
regulating q more or less indefinite
boundary,
President Monroe only promulgated his
doctrine because European powers attempted
to re-establiahe Spanish supremacy In South
America, and as We had recognized the inde-
pendence Of thoss former Spanish colonies,
our own independence would have been at
stake, if we had allowed their subjngation by
q foreign power The present dispute between
England and Venezuela is not s parallel case
if England's claims involve any interest OF
the United States, We should have demanded
to be a party to settlement upon this ground.
On the whole BIT. Cleveland has handled this
question very eiumsily il he wanted England
to recognize our interests, because, by his &C
tiou ne made diroct withdrawal of England
almost impossible. Hsd ne proceeded more
automatically we would have had the whole
of Europe on our side where it is opposing US
low for the reason that the foreign powers
can't recognize Mr.. Cleveland's standpoint
without getting N conflict with US every tin o
they would get into dispute with any of the
South hmericsn republics and such dis.
putss would continually occur if the South
American republics would be satisfied that
our government would back them.