The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-31
ARE HEDGING.
English People Looking for a
Graceful Way
To Dodge Most Easily the Vene-
Zuelan Issue.
NOT ARBITRATIO ION
But Something as Near as Pos
sible VIII be Best.
A Frenchman's Pertinent Reply
to an English Paper.

LONDON, Dec 3L-The Pail Mall
Gazette this afternoon publishes an
article from the pen of NJ Flourens,
formerly French minister for foreign
affairs, upon the Venezuela controversy.
Commenting upon it the Pail Mall
Gazette says: ave wanted to hear what
Frenchmen thought of Secretary Olney's
extension of the Monroe doctrine; but
he scarcely touches upon that, and i'm
proves the occasion by giving US some
home truths. He accuses US of bullying
and breaking faith"
NJ. Flourens says: "The French do
not believe in the probability of war, as
both Great Britain and the United States
are prone to weigh profit and loss. More
over, we are accustomed to the cool pru-
dence of England, which will increase in
proportion as the youthful impetuosity of
the United States gives itself free course.
France is lar more disposed to accept
the Monroe doctrine than you in Eng
land; but we reserve anterior rights and
do not agree with President Cleveland's
conception of arbitration. We French
are great advocates of arbitration and
would gladly see it extended to all inter-
national disputes. Notably, We believe
that difficulties such as may arise be-
tween the American republics and Eu-
ropeau states are all of a nature to be
settled by arbitration to the great advan-
tage of the parties interested To this
| effect we should like to see permanent
tribunal of arbitration enacted.
british diplomacy still retains vio-
lent procedure which is out of place in
our epoch. Unless she believes she is
face to face with a stronger power than
herself, her weapons of discussion are
ultimaEtums. This unbridled manner does
enormous harm to her reputetion. wheth-
er it imposes her will on the people
whose weakness obliges them to submit
| in humiliation, or whether she gives way,
as she will have to do in the quarrel
with Venezuela before unseen resistance.
Her moral authority was seriously i'm
| paired, for instance, by Lord Sails bury g
menacing langus8e to the sultan A
| European concert in regard to the east,
far east OF America, does not exist, be-
cause no one wishes to be associated
with England's diplomatic arrogance, or
| exposed to the dangers of her breeches
| of faith
The Westminster Gazette this after
noon, in leading article, headed "a
Way Out" says: "While the question
incidentally it is of great import
ance that Great Britain can not
retreat from the position she
has taken up, and that the United States
will not retreat from theirs. The only
method of escape from this deadlock
which shall impose neither humiliation,
nor retreat on either side, is to find some
thing which is not arbitration but which
is as like it as possible"
Continuing the Westminster Gazette
suggests that both countries agree upon
board of conciliation, not binding them
selves, as in the case of arbitration, to &C
cept its decisions, but on the
chance of the conciliatory being
able to suggest compromise
acceptable to both countries. In con
clusion, the Westminster Gazette re
marks: I'VE firmly believe that 1
couple of impartial, sensible men, say
the chief justices OF the two countries
coutd easily settle the matter by thi
method"