The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-19

Political Divisions Thrown to tho Winds
In Discussing the Presidents Message.


Political Divisions Thrown TO tho Winds
In Discussing the Presidents Message.
1t is a grave question suggested. rather
than submitted, by President Cleveland In
his special message 20 Congress transmit
ting the correspondence with the BRUSH
Foreign ONCE in reference TO the Nenezu-
clan boundary dispute. what proportion OF
the American people would be willing to
20 TO war with Great Britain rather Juan
see Venezuela despoiled OF any pornoh OF
the territory which she claims IL heT
own. The dispute is one OF long standing
Neither Great Britain nor SPAN whose
title in this respect Venezuela feP,,'eiiss'
are new corners upon American SOIL Nui
own title to most OF what we possess,
and which forms part or the Onhteu S'ttes
to-day Is derived from English colonial
fion MARYLAND was settled. ana every
foot OF land IN Maryland to-day Is neid
| by title. under a charter srdh-eu - M
English King Sir Walter Faleigh was
ono Of the earliest explorers OF the ter
ritorv now known as British Guiana. In
tho three centuries thar nave 'iapSeu
since Raleigh assembled the waters Oh i"'
Orinoco many changes nave TAKEN place
I'm the territory now subdlvide' ana pa,
Guiana. since all those nations were
among the early explorers and cclon,zers
OF that particular portion OF South hmer-
ca.
To-day the boundaries OF Frencn Guiana
are still unsettled on the side OF "ra/H
as those of British Guiana are on 'n'
side Of Venezuela.
Admitting Great Britain and Venezuela
to be foreign and indep IN mt states
and neither Of them under the con'oi Q.
\ guardianship Of the United St'les' IL
would be difficult 10 see upon "ha' h'or ,.
! the United States could claim TO say what
| should be the terms of arbitration, or
even 10 make arbitration compulsory. me
! Interference of the United states Woulu
seem to be limited TO that OF a inutuai
/ friend. willing to play the part Oh d A.o"
/ itator and to give good advice but II
/ is apparent from the papers trahsnii' -"
| with the message, as wen as i,oin "
| message itself. that serious uiiho"'s
has arisen from the assertion Oh 'ne - 9
! ~ orr government of the Monroe uoo-
/ ,rine" so called. as applicable TO the case
while tho language OF Mr.. Cleveland
message is strong, strong enough 70 please
| the limoges. we should suppose, WIN llal
prudence and common sense which usually
| cbaracterize him in action, the fre7iueh1
| evidently wishes to be sure tnat We "iV
/ right before we go ahead -
Nobody at that time uhu'isko"u 81
/ Monroes language as having any app, -,
lion IN boundarv dispute such as has
a,ison hetweon Great Britain and Neue-
zuela. II is evidently TO the apphcauoh Oh
| the famous doctrine 10 the present case
/ that Lord Salisbury has taken most Sc
/ rious objection. AS presented by Secie-
| ,arv oinev. the doctrine" Is not oniy
IN full force and vigor to-day.
| but virtually makes the Oilt,'
states the protector and guar
dian as against European aggression OK
every other state In this hemisphere IL
creates that very protective alliance WIN
| the South American repuphcs Whi'h III
| 1926 the House Of Repres9ntauVes tN-
| pressly condemned and protested against.
Baltimore sun.
President Cleveland's message to Com
eress on the Venezuelan matter Is Sc
| rious blunder II is q blunder because IL
| * based upon "a wrong conceptloh DC
cause II Is not sustained by international
law or usage. and because IL places the
United States in false position.
| II is a grave hlunder TO put this Gov
eminent i'm the attitude Of threatening
war unless we mean il and are prepared
for n. and can appeal hopefully 10 the
| sNmUatnleS OF thr ftN 49, ""--"
making II. DO these conditions exist
New York World.
Is Il the duty Of the United States 10
60 10 war with England over this Nene-
| zuelan dispute, and II the element OF
| dutv does not enter into the matter
| does the self-interest Of the United States
| roouire that IL should? These are the
! two pivotal points Of the Immensely ST.
rious question 10 which the attention ar
| Congress has been invited. and every tfue
American must hope that the determine
tion Of them be guided by the hishcs
patriotism and wisdom. II prudence calls
or honor beckons. every American worthy
| the name must wish his country 10 re-
spond. no matter at what sacrifice or
risk: but only a fool rushes with a lisht
heart into a position from which war or
surrender are the only ways ont. We
| need to be very sure that we are right
in this Venezuelan business before we so
any further ahead. and the question Is
not are We justified I'm going 10 war with
England but ought we, whether as point
Of honor or on grounds OF policy, 10 90
so.-Philadelphia North American.
This action takes the Venezuelan ques-
| ton. for the present at least. out OF the
realm of diplomacy and leaves II IN the
! hands Of Congress. II Is now for that
! hodv 10 determine what course shall Boz
| taken That II Is a grave matter which
calls for calm and patriotic elaboration
must be obvious 10 all. II the commits
| sion suggested 10y Mr. Cleveland should
| after due consideration. be authorized
! further action would naturally be de-
ferred until their investigation should be
completed and report made.
Meanwhile. I'm this country and Great
Britain. the people and their oil nal isi re-
sentatres will have an opportunity to re-
feet soberly and periodically on AL issue
| fraught with such grave cons .1uences
10 two great nations. Peace, honorable
| and credtable 10 EACH should be the
highest aim Of the craftsmanship and pa
| meet which affairs have now assumed n
i'm TO be hoped that the issue may be
settled without disturbing he friendly
relations existing between the two coun-
! tries.-New York Herald.
II IS impossible 10 believe that two great
| civilized nations Ike Great Britain and
! the United States are going 10 war over
a petty dispute Of this kind that ought 10
have been settled by friendly adjustment
! years go. IL would be "A grievous mis-
| take for Congress now 10 DO or say any
| thing that would make IL more difficult
/ for the Executive 10 come peacefully as
well as honorabiy out Of the discussion
/ The President speaks for the nation and
| he should feel that the nation will s'r"nu-
| ously support him in all that It's dignity
may demand even 10 an extremity that
we still prefer 10 believe remote.-Phi'a-
delphia Times.