The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-19
WAR VERY UNLIKELY
England Will Probably Negoti-
ate With Venezuela Now.
AND BE MORE REASONABLE.
President Cleveland Is Overwhelmed
WIKI Congratulations-H Wrote
the Message at One sitting.

Washington City, Dec l2-President
CisTeiand had many calls today from
senators and representatives, who came
70 congratulate him upon the attitude he
had assumed in his message. The sele-
grams which began 10 come in yesterday.
commanding his course. were supplement-
ed today By many letters. Secretary-Oi-
ney had his share OF the callers. Although
there g nowhere suggestion Of any
abatement OF our claims. and, indeed. Il
il generally recognized that the president
has left no avenue for retreat. IL is still
confidently believed here that the diff
Guilty can and Will be settled peaceaoIy.
This belief is based upon the expectation
that Great Britain will re-establ.sh oiplo-
matte relations with Venezuela.
9As the revolution in that country has
been quelled. and the internal peace Lord
Salisbury demanded as a condition 70 re-
sumption OF Venezuelan negotiations is
restored. he VIZ treat the subject, 1: is he
lieved. as he practically promises in his
last note. in a more compliant spirit than
the British government has exhibited here
tofore In the negotiations, and .hus speed
lily reach an agreement satisfactory 10
Great Britain and Venezuela. and SO. as
a natural result. acceptable 10 The United
States. In this way Great Britain would
avoid any conc sssion OF the rignr of a
third party 10 interpoSe. and likew Sc
escape an admission of the acceptatI.y
or applicability oS the Monroe doctrine.
Il is entirely prooable that Great Britain
viii abstain from presenting any evidence
in support OF her title = the proposed com
mission. for by 50 dong size would admit
our right 20 fnterpose, which is the vital
point in the controversy.
One source IF present danger, II is con-
seded, lies with the Venezuelans them
selves. as it IS feared that, carried away
by enthusiasm, they may lie led TO attack
the British outposts on the Uruan.
Lord Salisbury's responses 10 Secretary
Olney's arguments are a9t regarded IN
official circles IN Washington Cir as te-
ing weighty or logically strong. The par
allel ne seeks to draw between the Alaskan
boundary question and the Venezuelan
80 ludary controversy utterly falls,
3 IS said. when viewed in the
light Of the definition OF the
Alaskan boundary given in the Rus
sian treaty or cession. As for his objec-
ton 10 the injection Of the Monroe doc
trine into international law and the max
ing OF a new interna tional law, as Speaker
Reed once remarked of parliamentary law,
att Is not an exact science" ii is made
and amended from time to time by na-
tons able TO support their views, ard the
United States has as much right to apply
this doctrine TO American affairs as had
some OF the European powers by combina-
ton to regulate affairs in Europe and
force their views upon Oriental nations.
II is improbable that Secretary Olney
viii make a response to Lord Salisbury's
notes at this time beyond a mere formal
acknowledgment Of their receipt, and the
president will probably await the action Of
congress upon his suggestion looking to a
commission before proceeding further in
the matter.
As the North Atlantic squadron CORE
spends 10 the British channel squadron in
being charged with the defense Of our
most important coast line, 1t may be that
the authorities win take the view that pru-
dence would seem to necessitate the aban-
Comment OF the proposed evolution cruise.
which would take the ships away from
home and leave the coast defenseless. and
would also cut them OF from their base OF
supplies IN the event Of trouble, the par
ticular coal ports in the waters where the
drills were 10 have taken place being in
British hands. The plans for the squadron
however. VIII not be fixed until Secretary
Herbert returns 70 Washington CITY. The
armored cruiser Maine was today attached
to the North Atlantic squadron.
The message OF President Cleveland was