The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-12-20
AS Viewed IN ENGLAND
British Press Comment on
the Message.

Cleveland Arc Vigorously Com
batted-The Monroe Doctrine
Matter Only of History Now, tho
Newspapers Claim.
London, Dec. 1s.-The Daily News,
commenting on President Clevelands
message TO congress on the Venezuelan
question, will to-day say: THE prcsi-
dents communication is n remarkable
document, though its consequences are
not likely to be serious. Neither Mr..
Olney nor the president seem to realize
that the Monroe doctrine cannot be
quoted as authoritative in negotiations
with foreign power. Both OF them
are certainly as far as possible from
suspecting that the real author of the
doctrine was Canning, not Monroe.
Great Britain in 1892 was jealous of
the Spanish encroachments in South
America and induced Monroe to protest
against European aggression on Ameri-
can soil. The seventy-two years that
have since elapsed have entirely
changed that situation. The Monroe
doctrine is now purely of historical in
terest. The definition of the doctrine,
however, is matter for the Americans
themselves. 1t binds nobody else
The president in his account of the
doctrine surrenders the whole case. 1t
follows from the message that Guiana,
and, indeed, Canada, have no right of in
dependent existence on American soil.
The concluding portions of Mr.. Cleve-
lands message are not expressed in
the language usually employed by one
| friendly power to another. They are
aggressive, even menacing.s England is
threatened with war unless she permits
Mr.. Cleveland to adjust the boundaries
of Venezuela. Happily, there is some
sense of humor in the American people.
| Regarded as party move, the message
is not unskilful. 1t puts the republi-
cans in hole"
With Blank Astonish ment.
The Chronicle will say: 1.-The mes
sage will be read in this country with
blank astonishment. An American
commission to determine what terri
tory British colony can call it's own,
| finding, war by land and sea with
| Great Britain. Can these be serious
words addressed to us by the descend
ants of the little shipload of English
folks who sailed in the Mayfower? We
will not take things too seriously.
We will suppose that the president is
engaged in the familiar work of twist
ing the lions tail. There is one answer
| to President Cleveland and America.
Ifan enlarged application of a neglected
doctrine is to be enforced with all the
might of the United States at least let
us be assured of the correlative that
the United States will make itself re-
sponsible for the foreign policy of all
the petty, impetuous little states on
| the two continents of America. There
is no international right without cor
responding duty. We can only express
| genuine regret at the tone of the docu-
ment, which meets no argument made
by Lord Salisbury, and which applies
a threat of force from daughter
state to the motherland over an OBJ
scure, trumpery dispute in which the
United States has no real interest, but
the message cannot obscure of defeat
the affection which subsists between
the two countries, or break the ties of
blood that must needs bine them in in
dissoluble union"
Outdone the Republicans.
The Morning Post says; President
| Cleveland has outdone the republican
| party in his effort to show his dislike
for this country, yet he has not COM
mitted himself to anything. The inter
| national law tribunal that President
Cleveland asks congress to set up
can have no more binding effect on this
country than would decision by the
supreme court at Washington"
CieveIand's Position Preposterous.
The Standard says; Most Englishmen
will read the message with unfeigned
astonishment. The position taken by
Mr.. Cleveland is preposterous. There
can be only one answer to such a de-
mand. We decline to humiliate our
selves and refuse to accept the decision
| of the United States executive in mat
ters altogether outside of his jurisdic-
tion, AS British subjects have settled
up to the Schomburgk line, we cannot
possibly withdraw our protection and
leave them to the risks of the revolu-
tions and misrule of the republics; but
beyond the pale OF settlement we are
quite willing to accept arbitration. BY
the same rule the United States might
be asked to submit their title to Alaska
to the judgment of impartial umpires.
Congress would Indignantly reject such
demand. So will the British govern
ment reject the present demand"
ALLEN @. THURMAN'S WILL.