The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-12-24

duO W bu0 btdb6 Ot I'll
, worlds progress and that IL wa
troversy, and without any conviction
!, as to the final merits of the dispute
!, but anxious to learn in q satisfaction
and conclusive manner whether Grea
Britain sought her possessions on thi
continent without right, or whethe
she merely sought under claim o
boundary to extend possession o
territory fairly included with he
lines of ownership, this governmen
proposed to the government of Grea
Britain q resort to arbitration as tn,
proper means of settling the question
to the end that vexatious boundary
dispute between the two contestant
might be determined and our exact
standing and relation in respect TO thu
controversy might be made clear.
It will be seen from the correspond
ence herewith submitted that this
proposition has been declined by the
British government, upon grounds
which, In the circumstances, seem to
me to be far from satisfactory. 1t Is
appeal, actuated by the mostly friend,
ly feelings towards both nations dl.
rectly concerned, addressed to the
sense of justice and the magnanimity
OF one of the great powers of the
world and touching its relations to one
comparatively weak and small, should
have produced no better results.
The course to be pursued by this
government in view of the present
condition does not appear to admit OF
serious doubt. Having labored faith
fully for many years to induce Great
Britain to submit this dispute to i'm.
partial arbitration, and having been
now finally ,apprised of her refusal to
do 80, nothing remains but to accept
the situation, to recognize it's plain
requirements and deal with it accord
ingly. Great Britain's present propo.
sition has never thus far been regarded
as admissible by Venezuela, though
any adjuetment of the boundaries
which that country may deem FOR her
advantage and may enter into of her
own free will, can not, of course, be
objected to by the United States.
Assuming, however, that the atti.
tude of Venezuela will remain un-
changed, the dispute has reached such
a stage as to make it now incumbent
upon the United States to take
measures to determine with sufficient
certainty for its justification what is
the true divisional line between the
Republic of Venezuela and British
Guiana. The inquiry to that end, OF
course, ought to be conducted care
fully and judicially, and due weight
should be given to all available evil
dence, records and facts in support of
the claims Of both parties.
In order that such an examination
should be prosecuted in q thorough
and satisfactory manner, | suggest
that the Congress make an adequate
for the expenses of a
commission to be appointed by the
Executive, who shall make the neces-
sary investigation and report upon the
matter with the least possible delay
When such report is made and nc.
cepted,. 1T will in my opinion be the
duty OF the United States to resist by
every means in its power as a wilfu
aggression upon its rights and inter
ests the appropriation by Great
Britain of any lands, or the exercise OF
COVE mental jurisdiction over any
territory, which after investigation
we have determined OF right belong to
Venezuela.
In making these recommendations
am fully alive to the responsibility
incurred and keenly realize all the
that n ny follow.
| am nevertheless firm in my convty
tions that while it is grievous thing
to CONTEMPLATE the two great English
speaking peoples of tho world as being
otherwise than friendly competitors
in the onward march of civilization
and strenuous and worthy rivals in all
the arts of peace, there is no calamity
which a great nation can invite which
a great nation can invite which equals
that which follows suplne submission
to wrong and injustice and the conse-
quent loss Of national self-respect and
honor, beneath which is shielded and
defended peoples safety and great
ness.
lSigned) GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Dec. II, 1895.