The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-07
1t VIII simply Open the Way, 1t Is BE-
licvcd, for More Correspondence
ON the Venezuelan Dispute.
NO DANGER OF A RUPTURE
BRITAIN WOULD BE THE LOSER IN A
QUARREL WITH UNCLE SAM.
Note Placed In the Hands
of Pauncefote Last Night-Bills In
troduced I'm the House.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6--Lord Salisbury's
reply to Secretary clney's letter requesting
a final and definite statement OF Great
Britain's purposes concerning Venezuela is
in Washington, having been delivered to
Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British embas-
gador, tonight. The answer was brought
to Washington by Donaldson, the special
messenger OF the embassy. who makes
regular trips to New York for the purpose
of carrying the official mail TO and from
Washington. Donaldson received the reply
from the stewards of the steamship Bri-
tannic, on which it arrived at New York at
o'clock this morning. Donaldson i'm
mediately left for Washington. The great
est interest centers here as to the nature Of
the reply which Lord Salisbury has made
to the American Secretary OF State. En-
bassador Pauncefote said tonight that
Lord Salisbury's letter would be presented
to Secretary Olney Tomorrow.
There was a pretty general discussion
of Venezuelan affairs among members of
the House of Representatives to-day. The
general opinion among those who will
have the conduct Of foreign affairs IN
charge in the House is that Lord Sails
bury's reply Will be diplomatic evasion or
the main issues; that 1t will be couched
pressing a willingness 10 arbitrate as to a
portion OF the disputed territory, will deny
the right of the United States to ask Great
Britain to arbitrate as to territory the own
ership OF which Great Britain claims is
hers beyond dispute. In other words, 1t Is
believed that Great Br.tain's reply will tenn
porize with the subject and simply open
the way for further correspondence.
.c-.~ 7a,,oe cafd n
prominent Republican member to-day, will
show that this has been Ensland's posi-
ton and policy for fifty years. She will
seem to yield something. but she will stake
off a line beyond which she will not go
In the matter OF arbitration. That was
Lord Granville's policy. 1t will be Lord
Salisbury's. Though Salisbury Is imperious
by inclination. he will be exceedingly eau
tious. The considerations involved in an
open breach with England, or anything ap-
preaching an open breach, are gigantic.
Credits would be Immediately shaken. The
question OF the tariff is infinitely of more
Importance to Great Britain than the own
ersiiip of iew asid mines in Venezuela
Above all things depend upon it that Eng
land will not by any act OF hers aggravate
an anti-English feeling in this country or
diplomacy can prevent 1t. for war agita-
tion here. England breads unfayorable tar
IF legislation. She knows that the first re,
suit of a bitter anti-Engl!sh feeling would
be a retaliation upon her through q radical
revision of the tariff. a tariff induced by
hostility to England growing out OF Eng
lands encroachments in this hemisphere
which had aroused the resentment of the
American people would send 100000 Eng
lishmen to bed without their suppers. such
material considerations England never over
the war OF 1872"
From what is gathered as to the nature
Of Lord Salisburys note II Is assumed here
which, IL allowed to fall into the course
of treatment usual i'm diplomatic contro-
versies, might drift along for an indefinite
period OF time since, while there Is no
abatement of the assertion OF Great Brit
aims right to the larger portion of the terri
tory east of the Schomburg line, arguments
for the first time are submitted to justify
presented to our government concerning
the rlghtful ownership of the disputed ter
rttory have come from Venezuelan
sources. The British government, IL is true,
has afforded frequent opportunities in re-
cent years TO present it's case. but never
heretofore has gone go far as to admit
that there could be any doubt Of its title
and, therefore has gone on the theory that
there was nothing to argue. Diplomatically
considered, therefore, this last move of Lord
Salisburys may be regarded as very clever,
for he can easily find precedents to justify
his request that the British case be consid-
cred on its merits. AS this is all new TO
our government, compliance with the re-
quest would involve much patient research
and comparison of authorities, maps and
surveys This is calculated to consume
great deal of time and carry the issue along
being freed from Its present embarrassing
situation growing out OF the Turkish COM
plications, Will be able to devote her entire
energies TO a settlement OF the Venezuelan
question.