Mexico weekly ledger., 1895-12-19
WAR IF MUST BE-.
Cleveland Favors Extreme Measures
With England in the Venezuelan
Matter-Her Majesty Must
Recognize the Monroe
Doctrine.

Doctrine.
WASHINGTON, d. c., December IT,
The President sent to Congress to-day
the Venezuelan correspondence, ac-
by the following signid-
can't message:
To the Congress:
In my annual message addressed to
the Congress on the Sd inst. / called
to the pending boundary
controversy between Great Britain
and the Republic of Venezuela, and
the substance of a representa-
ton made by this government to her
Britannia majesty's government, sug-
costing reasons why such dispute
should be submitted to arbitration for
and inquiring whether it
would be so submitted.
The answer of the British govern
ment, which was then awaited, but
has since been received, together
with the dispatch to which it is a re-
play, Is hereto appended.
Such a reply is embodied in two
communications addressed by the
British prime minister to Sir Julian
~Pauncefote, the British ambassador
at this capital. 1t will be seer that
one of these communications Is de-
voted exclusively to observations on
the Monroe Doctrine and claims that
in the present instance q new and
strange extension and development
of this doctrine is insisted upon by
the United States, that the o
justifying an appeal to the doctrine
enunciated by President Monroe gen
orally applicable ''to the state Of things
in which we live at the present day,
and especially inappIicable to q con-
troversy involving the boundary line
between Great Britain and Vene-
zuela.n
1t will be seen from the CORES
pondence herewith submitted that
this proposition has been declined by
the British government upon grounds
which In the circumstances seem to
be far from satisfactory. 1t Ia highly
disappointing that an appeal actuated
by the most friendly feelings towards
both nations directly concerned, ad-
dressed to the sense of justice and to
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
faithfully for many years to induce
Great Britain to submit this dispute
to impartial arbitration, and now hav-
ing been fully apprised OF her refusal
to do so, nothing remains but to ac-
cept the situation, to recognize its
plain requirements and deal with 1t
accordingly.
Great Britain's present proposition
has never thus far been regarded "a
admissible by Venezuela, though any
adjustment of the boundary which
that country may deem for her adj
vantage and may enter into OF her
own free will, cannot, of course, be
objected to by the United States.
Assuming, however, that the atti-
tude of Venezuela will remain I'M
changed, the dispute has reached such
a stage as to make it nov incumbent
upon the United States to take meas
ures to determine with sufficient GER
tainty for its justification what is the
true divisional line between the Re-
public of Venezuela and British
| Guiana. The inquiry to that end
should, of course, be conducted care
fully and judicially, and due weight
would 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 a thorough
and satisfactory manner, / suggest
that theC Congress makean adequate ap-
preparation for the expenses Of COM
mission, to be appointed by the exec
utive, who shall make the necessary
investigation and report upon the
matter with the least possible delay.
When such report is made and &C.
cepted, 1t win, in my opinion, be the
duty of the United States to resist by
every mean in its power M a wfllful
aggression upon Its rights and inter-
ests the appropriation by Great
Britain Of any lands or the exercise OF
governmental jurisdiction over any
territory after investigation we have
determined of right belongs to Vene-
zuela.
In making these recommendation
/ am fully alive to the responsibility
incurred and keeniy realize all the
consequences that may follow. / am
nevertheless firm in my conviction
that, while it Is a grievous thing to
contemplate the two great Engiish
speaking people of the world az 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
equals that which follows a supine
submission to wrong and injustice and
the consequent loss of national self
respect and honor beneath which 10
shielded and defended q peoples
safety and greatness.
(Signed) GROVER CLEVELAND.