Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-12-26

IT'S oplgdtlOnS nXed by International
law, nor prevent any European power
directly interested from enforcing such
obligations nor intlicting merited pun
ishment for breach of them. II has
but one object,--to prevent any Euro
pean power or powers from forc:bly
depriving an American state of its self
government and the shaping of its own
political destiny" The secretary then
reviews at length the instances in
which the Monroe doctrine has been
applied. He says the United States Ia
practically sovereign on this continent
and its fiat is law. All advantages of
liR superiority are at once imperlled
II the principle Is admitted that Euro
pean powers may convert American
states into colonies OF their own. ANY
powers doing so would thus immedi-
ateiy secure base of military opera
tons against us and 1t is not incon-
ceivable that the weaker countries
would soon be absorbed and South
America partitioned between the Euro
pean powers, The consequences to the
The loss of prestige would be the least
OF them. We must in such an event
be armed to the teeth and convert the
flower Of our male population into SOL
diers and sailors, thus annihilating
large share Of the productive energy
OF the nation. The secretary then re-
views the Venezuelan dispute and says
the British claim in two years has APP
parently expanded $4,000 square miles.
In these circumstances, he declares,
the duty of the president appears I'M
mistakable, imperative. The course
of Great Britain, he adds, Is calculated
to greatly embarrass its future rela-
tons with this country and he desires
an early answer TO the question
whether Great Britain will or will not
arbitrate the dispute in order that he
may lay the matter before congress for
its action.
John Bulls View.
The British answer touching theMon-
roe doctine is sufficiently indicated
as to its conclusion in the presidents
message. The other note makes an
elaborate statement touching the boun-
Diary dispute, giving a history of the
British claims founded on the Dutch
concession and says that Venezuelan
insistance on the arbitration OF the
whole disputed territory would be par
alleled by the refusal Of Great Britain
to arbitrate the Alaskan boundary I'M
less half of Alaska was conceded be-
fore arbitration.
The senators showed the keenest in
terest during the reading. At the
close of the reading there was hearty
handclapping from all parts OF the
chamber, Chandler rep. N. h leading
on the republican side. It was indeed
an innovation In the usual decorum OF
the senate, which seldom, II ever. APP
plauds Veterans of the senate say 1t
was the most spontaneous demonstra-
tion in their recollection. The message
and documents were referred to the
committee on foreign relations.
Cleveland Congratulated.
At the white house messages poured
in from every quarter OF the country
congratulating me president upon the
message They came from men In
all parties and stations In life The
matter was. OF course, OF great inter-
est In diplomatic circles, and the gem
eral impression on sober, second con-
sideratlon of the notes was that tho
matter had not yet reached stage
where war Is imminent and that the
hint OF Great Britain's purpose to re-
open negotiations with Venezuela
looking to settlement Of the dispute
between themselves perhaps may be
regarded as an indication of how the
whole matter will end.
Venezuela VIII BE Pleased.
Minister Anirede, OF Venezuela.
cabled copy OF the message to his
government, and 1t is felt that Its re-
ception at Caracas will be the signal
for an enthusiastic demonstration. An
drade's satisfaction was almost be-
yond the power OF expression.
THE message is superb" said he
with much enthusiasm. 1T Is even n
surprise to me in its yigor, in nobility
of sentiments expressed and in the
mastery exposition of the Monroe
doctrine. There can be no doubt or
misconstruction OF its meaning. In my
country 1t cannot but arouse the keen
est appreciation On the part OF the
government and people for the pow
erful expression Of friendship from
strong country in behalf Of a compara-
lively weak one."
At the British embassy, Sir Julian
Pauncefote and his extensive official
corps shared In the general interest In
the question. Beyond the Salisbury
letters the British embassy has re-
ceiyed no communications on tho
Venezuelan subject, 80 that the case
rests on the correspondence as sub
mitted. .TIJ
Views OF Statesmen.
The message caused distinct sem
satlon in congess Cleveland goes
much farther than any one supposed
he would. The predictions Of many
-. 4Ant III x,,il1 ranttIt IN mar The war