The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-12-18

| President Monroe adopted a policy
which received the entire sympathy of
the English government of that date"
He further declares: Though the
| language of President Monroe is direc-
ted to the attainment of objects which
most Englishmen would agree to be
| salutary, it is impossible to admit that
| they have been inscribed by adequate
| authority in the code of international
| law"
| Again he says: "They (IEer Majesty's
| government fully concur with the
| view which President Monroe appar-
emily entertained, that any disturb
| ance of the existing territorial distri-
button in that hemisphere by any fresh
| acquisition on the part of any Euro
| pean state would be highly ineXpe-
| dient change"
| In the belief that the doctrine for
| which we contend was clear and def
mite. that it was founded upon sub
| stantial considerations and involved
| our safety and welfare, that it was
| fully applicable to our present condi-
| tions and to the state of the worlds
progress and that it was directly re-
| lated to the pending controversy and
without any convictions as to the final
merits of the dispute, but anxious to
learn in a satisfactory and conclusive
manner whether Great Britain sought.
under claim of boundary, to extend
her possessions in this continent with
out right, or whether she merely
sought a possession of territory fairly
| included within her lines ofowncrship,
| this government proposed to the gov
r. 4ai, nrff ffa
arbitration as the proper means of set
Ting the question. to the end that a
yexatious boundary dispute between
| the two contestants might be deter
mined and our exact standing and re-
lation in respect to the controversy
1t will be seen from the corTespon-
dence 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 is deeply
disappointing that such an appeal, act
uated by the most friendly feeling to-
ward both nations concerned. address
ed to the sense of justice and to the
magnanimity of one of the great pow
ers of the world and touching it's rela-
tions 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 con
ditions does not appear TO admit of
serious doubt. Having labored faith
fully for many years to induce Great
Britain to submit this dispute to inn
partial arbitration, and having been
now finally apprised of her refusal to
do so, nothing remains but TO accept
the situation, to recognize its plain
requirements and deal with it accord
ingly. Great Britain's present propo-
sition has never thus far been regard
ed as admissible by Venezuela, though
any adjustment of the boundaries
which that country may deem for her
advantage and may enter into of her
own free will cannot, of course, be OBJ
iected to by the United States.
Assuming, however. that the atti-
tude of Venezuela viii remain un-
changed the dispute has reached such
a stage as to make it now 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 replb-
lie of Venezuela and British Guinia
The inquiry to that end should, of
course, be conducted carefully and
| judicially 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 examination
should be prosecuted in thorough
and satisfactory manner. suggest
that the Congress make an adequate
appropriation for the expenses of
commission, TO be appointed by the
executive and who shall make neces-
| sary investigation and report upon the
| matter with the least possible delay.
| When such report is made and accept
| ed, it win. in my opinion, be the duty
| of the United States to resist by every
means in it's power, as wilfui agrees
sion upon its rights and interests, the
appropriation by Great Britain of any
| lands or the exercise of governmental
| jurisdiction over any territory which,
after investigation, we have dctermin-
ed of right to belong to Venezuela.
In making these recommendations,
| am fully alive to the responsibility
| incurred and keenly realize all the CON
| sequences that may follow.
| | am nevertheless firm in my con-
Siction that while it is grievous thing
TO contemplate the two great English
shipping peoples of the world as being
| otherwise than friendly competitors
in the onward march of civilization
| and strenuous and worthy rivals in ali
| the arts of peace, there is no calamity
| which 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 is
| shielded and defended a peoples safety
| and greatness.
| (Signed) GROVER CLEVELAND.
| Executive Mansion, Dec. II, 1895