The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-12-18

peculiar to America. IL the forcible in
trusion of European powers in Ameri-
can politics Is 10 be deprecated. the re-
sistance must come from the United
States. the only power with strength
adequate TO the exigency.
The people of the United States
have a vital interest in the cause OF
popular self government. which they
have secured at the cost of infinite
blood and treasure. The age OF the
crusades have passed and they are
content with such assertion and de-
fense OF the rights of self government
as their own security and welfare de-
mand. IL Is in that view. more than
any other. that they will not tolerate
the political control OF the American
states by the forcible assumption of a
European power. The United States
is to-day practically sovereign on this
continent and its fiat is law. All the
advantages OF this superiority are at
once imperilled II the principle be adj
mitted that European powers may con-
vert American states into colonies of
their own. The principle could be easi-
ly availed OF. and any power doing so
would Immediately secure a base of
military operations against us. and IL
is not inconceivable that the struggle
now going on for the acquisition of
Africa might be transferred TO South
America The weaker countries would
soon be absorbed and South America
would be partitioned between Europ-
can powers. The consequences to the
United States would be disastrous.
Loss of prestige would be the least of
them. Our own real rivals I'm peace,
as well as enemies In war. would be
located at our very doors
"Our just apprehensions are not TO
be allayed by suggestions OF the good
will OF European powers towards us,
for the people of the United States
have learned I'm the school OF expert
ence to what extent the relations of
states depend. not upon sentiment of
principle. but upon selfish interests.
They will not soon forget that I'm their
hour of distress, all their anxieties
and burdens were aggravated by the
possibility of demonstrations against
their national life on the part OF pow
ers with whom they had long main
tained the most harmonious relation
They have yet in mind that France
seized upon the apparent opportunity
to our civil war to set up a monarchy
in Mexico. and had France and Great
Britain held important South Ameri-
can possessions to work and beneft
from, the temptation to destroy our
predominance by furthering our dis
memberment might have been irresis-
tible. From that grave peril we were
saved in the past and may be saved
again in the future through the opera.
ton OF the sure but silent voice OF the
doctrine proclaimed by President Mon
roe.
The application OF the doctrine to
the boundary dispute between Great
Britain and Venezuela remains to be
made and presents no real difficulty.
There is but one feasible mode OF de-
termining the merits OF the question,
and that is peaceable arbitration
Great Britain admits that there is a
controversy which should be adjusted
by arbitration. but nullifies this ad-
mission by her insistance that the sub
mission shall cover but a part OF the
controversy"
The secretary quotes from some ar
bitrations in the past to sustain his
assertion. that the British demand for
recognition OF her right to a portion of
the disputed territory before arbitra-
tion seems to stand upon nothing but
her own ipse dixit. "She says" COM
ments Mr.. Olney. to Venezuela, in sub
stance: "You can get none OF the de-
batable land by force, because you are
not strong enough; you can get none
by treaty, because I will not agree, and
you can take your choice at getting a
portion by arbitration only IL you first
agree TO abandon to me such other
portion as / may designate" This. he
says amounts to invasion and con-
quest, and our duty is summed up as
follows:
I'm these circumstances the duty of
the president appears TO him unmistak-
able and imperative. Great Britain's
assertion OF title to the undisputed ter
ritory, combined with her refusal 70
have that title Investigated. being a
substantial appropriation OF the terri
tory to her own use. not to protest and
give warning that the transaction will
be regarded as injurious TO the interest
of the people OF the United States as
well as oppressive In itself. would be
20 ignore an established policy with
which the honor and welfare OF this
country are closely identified. While
the measures necessary or proper for
the vindication OF that policy are to be
determined by another branch OF the
government. IL II clearly for the execu-
tive TO leave nothing undone which
may tend such determination unneces-
sary."
Mr. Bayard Ii directed to read the
communication TO Lord Salisbury and
ask a definite decision regarding arbi-
tration. The president hopes that the
conclusion will be on the side OF arbl-
tration. but II he is disappointed. "a
result not TO be anticipated. and In
his Judgment calculated 20 greatly en-
barrass the future relations between
this country and Great Britain" he
wishes 10 be acquainted with the fact
at such an early date as will enable
him to lay the whole subject before
congress. in his next annual message.
SALISBURY'S VIEWS.
He Insists That the Monroe Doctrine