The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-18
ON THE EVE OF A GREAT CRISIS
lcoNcLupEp FROM 1sr pAaE.l


tration, bringing the question down 10
the beginning OF this year, when the
important features OF the situation was
summa rized by him as follows:
/. The title to territory of indefinite,
but confessedly very large extent in
dispute between Great Britain and
Venezuela.
Q. The disparity in strength OF the
parties is suon that Venezuela can hope
to establish her claim only through
peaceful methods.
8. The controversy has existed for
half century, despite Venezuelss eff.
forts to establish boundary.
4. Venezuela has for q quarter of q
century striven for arbitration.
5. Great Britain has continuously re-
fused to accept upon the renuncisrion
in her favor Of large part of Vene-
zuela's claims.
6. The United States has made 1t
clear to Great Britain and the world by
frequent interposition of good offices
that she controversy is one in which IT'S
honor and interests are involved and the
continuance of which It cRnnet regard
with Indifference.
At this point Secretary Olney says:
1.-THE accuracy OF the foregoing analysis
of the existing status cannot, 1t ia ber
lieved, be challenged.
The Secretary then enters into IN
elaborate review Of the application of
the Monroe doctrine in the past. and
says that our present concern Ia the
practical application OF the doctrine.
the disregard Of which by any European
power is to be deemed an act of IN
iriendllness toward the United States.
On this point the Secretary says: 1.-The
precise scope and limitations of this
~nIa hn k0~ Ill II
hended. II does not establish any gem
eral protectorste by the United States
over other American States It does
not relieve any American State of ita
obligations TO the powers. It does not
contemplate any interference in the in
ternaiionai Affairs Of any American
State.
The ruls in question has but sin.
gle purpose and object, which is that
no European power or combination OF
European powers shall forcibly deprive
an American State of the right and
power of self government. and OF shap-
ing for itself it's own fortunes and desti.
nies.
"There can be but one answer to the
question, whether the safety aud well
fare of tho United States are so con-
cerned with the maintenance of the
independence of American States as
against any European power as to Justify
and renounce our interpretation when
ever that independence Ia endangered.
These States are our friends and allies,
numerically, and TO allow the subiuga.
tion Of any one OF them by an European
power reverses the situation and signi-
fies loss OF NIL the advantages iucl-
dent to their natural relation to u.s."
The Secretary shows, in relation to
tho boundary line, that the question Is
one OF political control over s domain of
great extent, The British claim, which.
expanding in two years some SO, 600
square miles. and directly involving
the command OF the mouth OF the
Orinoco, Ia OF immense consequence in
connec ton with the whole river nsvi-
CATION of the in terror of South America
There is but one feasible mode of de-
termining the merits OF the question,
and that is peaceable arbitration.
In conclusion he says: "Mr. Baysrd
is directed to read this communication
to Lord Salisbury, reinforced by such
pertinent considerations ss would
doub .esS occur to him The communi
cAGion calls for definite decision as to
whether Great Britain will consent or
decline to submit the entire boundary
question to arbitration.
ho uOpSb Luo WILL Do Oh
the side OF arbi iration, but IL he Ia disc
appointed q result to be anticipated Ia
in his judgement calculated to greatly
embarras the future relations be tween
this country and Great Britain. He
wishes 10 be acquainted with the fact
with such early data as will enable him
him TO lay the full sui ject before Con-
gresS in his next annual message.
La answer to Mr.. Olney's communica~
ton Lord Salisbury sends two notes OF
the same date, July 90, one relating to
the Monroe doctrine and the other in
regard to Great Britain's clsims to the
territory In dispute. The first is posi-
tive denial OF the right Of the United
States TO impose the Monroe doctrine on
other nations, and claiming that 1t is
not attempting to interfere with the
existing Institutions of Venezuela and
that the controversy of Great Britain
with that country Ia something with
which the United States have no apps-
rent concern, as 1t is not s question of
civilization by an European power
In hia second letter Lord Salisbury
treats at great length Of the boundary
dispute alone. Hs says his purpose Is
to remove certain mis apprehension into
which Secretary Olney hos fallen
through an exparte presentation OF the
merits Of the case by Venezuela.
He challenges Secretary Olney's first
| statement that the dispute dates back
| to 1914, and asserts that IT did not begin
until 1910. II. asserts that the presen.
| difficulty would never have arisen il