The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-12-18

by any fresh acquisitions on The part
OF any European state, would be q
highly ineXp0dent chnnge."
In the belief that the doctrine Tor
which we contend was clear and def-i
mite, that itNwas found upon substan-
tlal considerations and Involved our
safety and welfare, that It was fuzzy
applicable 70 our present conditions
aud to the state OF the wOrld'a progress,
and that Il was directly related to the
pending controversy and without any
conviction as TO the final merits OF the
dispute, but anXlOusly to learn I'm sat
isfactOry and conclusive manner
whether Great Britain sought under d
claim OF boundary TO extend her pos
sessions on this continent without
right, or whether she merely sought
possession Of territory fairly included
within the limits OF ownership, this
government proposed to the governs
ment of Great Britain to resort to ar
bltratlon as the proper means OF set
Ting the question, to the end that q
vexatious boundary dispute between.
the two continents might be determined
and our exact standing and relation In
respect TO the controversy might be
made clear
Action Demanded.
II will be seen from the corresponds
ence herewith submitted that thia
proposition has been declined by the
British government, upon grounds
which, in the circumstances, seem 10
me to be far from satisfactory. II rs
deeply disappointing that such an APP
peal actuated by the most friendly
feelings toward both nations directly
concerned, addressed TO the sense OF
Justice and to the magnanimity OF one
OF the great powers OF the world, and
touching Its relations TO one compara-.
lively weak and small should have pro-
duCed no better results.
The course to be pursued by this gov
ernment, In view OF the present condi-
tlon, does not appear to admit OF Sc
rious doubt. Having labored faith
fully for many years TO induce Great
Britain to submit this dispute 20 i'm
partial arbitration, and having been
now finally apprlsed of her refusal TO
do so, nothing remains but tojaccept
the situation, to recognize the plain re-
qulrements and deal with II Accord
ingly. Great Britain's present PROPOSE
tion has never thus far been regarded
as admissible by Venezuela, though
any adjustment OF the boundary
which that country may deem for her
advantage and may enter into OF her
own free will, cannot. OF. course. be OBJ
jected to by the United States
Assuming, however, that the attitude
of Venezuela will remain unchanged.
the dispute has reached such stage
as TO make II now incumbent upon the
United States TO take measures to de-
termine with sufficient certainty for
Its justification what Is the true d.
,gtg NafafFI1lIn nf
Venezuela and British Guiana, The in
quIry 10 that end should, OF course,
be conducted carefully and judlcially,
and due weight should be given TO all
available evidence, records and facts
in support OF the claims Of both parties.
In order that such an exhmination
should he prosecuted in thorough and
satisfactory manner, suggest that the
Congress make an adequate appro-
priation for the expenses OF CONF
mission TO be appointed by the execu-
tive, who shall make the necessary in-
vestigution and report upon the matter
with the least possible delay. When
such report Is made and accepted, 1t
will. In my opinion, be the duty OF the
United States to resist by every means
In It's power a willful aggression upon
its rights and interests the Hppropria-
ton by Great Britain Of any lands or
the exercise OF governmental jurlsdic-
tlon over any territory which, after In
vestigation, we have determined OF
right belong to Venezuela.
In making these recommendations /
am fully alive to the responsibility in
Cured and keenly realize all the con-
sequences that may follow, am never
theless firm in my conviction that,
while II Is gricyous thing to contem-
plate the two great Engllsh-spealGing
peoples OF the world as being otherwise
than friendly competitors In the on
ward march Of civilization and strenu-
Gus and worthy rivals in all the arts OF
peace, there is no calamity which a
great nation can invite which equals
that which follows supine submission
TO wrong and injustice and the conse-
auent loss Of national self.respect and
honor. beneath which is shielded and
defended n peoples safety and great
ness. GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Dec. II, 1895.