Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-12-26

Y
afternoon Great Britain's reply to the
note Of the United States asking that
the boundary dispute between Great
Britain and Venezuela be submitted
to arbitration, together with a special
message on the subject. The message
says; The reply is embodied in two
communications. 1t will be seen that
one Of these liz devoted exclusively to
observations upon the Monroe doc
trine. Great Britain claims that in
the present instance new and
strange extension of this doctrine is
insisted on by the United States; that
the reasons justifying an appeal to
the doctrine as enunciated by Presi-
dent Monroe are ihapplicable to the
state of things in which we live at
the present day. especially 10 the
controversy involving the boundary
line between Great Britain and Vene-
zuela."
Without attempting an extended
argument, says the president, 1t may
not be amiss to suggest that the doc
trine upon which we stand Is strong
and sound because its enforcement is
important to our peace and safety as
a nation and essential to the integrity
of our free institutions and the tran
qua maintenance of our distinctive
form of government. 1t was intended
to apply to every stage OF our ma
tional life and cannot become obsolete
while our republic endures. II the
balance OF power is a just cause for
jealous anxiety among the govern
ments of the old world and a subject
for our absolute non-interference, none
the less is the observance of the Mon
roe doctrine of vital concern to our
people and government. We may,
therefore, declares the president, prop
erly insist upon this doctrine without
regard to ''the state of things in which
we live" or any changed condiuons
here or elsewhere. 1t Is not apparent
why its application may not be in
voked in the present controversy If
European power by the extension OF
It's boundaries takes possession OF the
I territory OF one Of our neighboring re-
publics against its will and In deroga-
ton of its rights 1t Is difficult to see
why to that extent such European
power does not thereby attempt TO ex-
tend its system OF government TO that
portion Of this continent thus taken.
This Is the precise action which Presi-
dent Monroe declared to be danger
GUS to our peace and safety" and It
can make no difference whether the
European system is extended by an
advance OF frontier or otherwise.
1t is also suggested in the British
reply that we should not seek to APP
ply the Monroe doctrine to the pend
ing dispute because 1t does not en-
body any principle of international
law founded on the general consent
OF the nations and that no statesman,
however eminent and no nation how
ever powerful. Is competent to insert
into the code OF international law a
novel principle never recognized be-
fore which has not since been ac-
cepte. by the government OF any
other country" Practically, says the
president in reply, the principle for
which we contend has peculiar II not
exclusive relations TO us. II may not
have been admitted in SO many words
to the code OF international law, but
since in international councils every
nation is entitled to the rights be-
longing to 1t, If the enforcement Of the
Monroe doctrine is something we may
justly claim. 1t fas place in the code
OF international law as certainly and
securely as though specifically men
toned. and when the United States Is
,suitor -sfore the high tribunal that
administers international law the
question TO be determined Ii whether
or not we present claims which In
Justice that code can find right End
valid. The Monroe doctrine finds rec
IGNITION In the principle Of internA-
tional law based on the theory that
every nation shall have its rights
protected its just claims enforced. Oh
course this government, continues the
president is entirely confident that
under the sanction Of this doctrine We
nave clear rights. undoubted claims
Nor IL this ignored in the British re-
ply. for the prime minister states: I'm
declaring that the Un..ed States