The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-12-18
Boarding the British.
CLEVELAND TAKES HIGH
STRONG GROUND IN
THE VENEZUELA
CASE.
ENGLAND WON'T ARBITRATE
AMERICAS RIGHT UNDER
MONROE DOCTRINE
AND HER PRESENT
DUTY.
WAR IF NECESSARY.

w ASHINGTON, Dec It.-lne Fresi-
den: sent to congress- to-day the Fene-
zuelao correspondence, accompanied by
the following slgi6cant message:
To the Congress
10 my annual message addressed to
the congress 90 the 3rd inst. called
attention to the pending boundary con-
troversy between Great Britain, and
the republic Of Venezuela, aud recitcd
the substance of representation be made
this goveo mens 70 her Britana,c maj
esty's government suggesting reasons
Why such disputes should be Submitted
TO arbitration for settlement and in-
curing whether it would be so submit
ted. The answer Of the British gov
erumeut. which was then awaited, has
since been received and together with
the dispatch to which it is reply is
hereto appended.
Such reply is embodied in two COM
II unicasions addressed by the British
miais,er to Sir Julian Paunceso:e, the
British ambassador at this capital. II
will be seen that one Of these commun-
icatioos is devoted exclusively to observa-
tons upon the Monroe doctrine aud
claims that 10 the present instance. new
and straogc extensions aud development
Of this doctrine is insisted on By the
United States, that the reasons justify
ing an appeal to the doctrine cnunci-
a.ed by President Monroe are general
y inapplicable '.o the state of things
in which We live at the present day"
and isespecially inapplicable to coutro-
versy involving the bouodary line be-
tween Great Britain and Venezuela.
Without attempting extended argu-
ment in reply to those positions, it
may not be amiss to suggest that the
doctrine upon which We stand is strong
and sound because its enforce
mens is important to our peace
and safety as nation and is
essential 30 the integrity Of our free
ostitutions Sand the tranquil msia.en
ance os our distinctive form Of gov
eminent It was intended to apply to
every stage of our national life and can-
ucs become obsolete while ocr republic
endu:es. Ii the balance Of power is
justly cause for jealous anxiety amoog
the governments of the Old W World and
a subject for our absolute non-inter-
fereuce, uone the less is au observance
of the Monroe doctrine Of vital concern
20 our people and their government
Assuming, therefore. that we probably
may insist upon this doctrine without
regard 20 the the Estate Of things
10 which We live OF any changed con
ditions here ore elsewhere, it is not ap-
parent Why its applications may not be
involved io the present controversy
If European power by an extension
of its boundaries, takes possession OF
the territory of one Of our neig igbboring g
republics, against its will and 10 der
ogatioo of i,s rights, it is difficult to
see why, to that extent, such European
does DOT thereby attempt to extend its
system of government to that. portion
Of this continents which is thus taken.
This is the precise action which Pres
ideut Monroe declared to be dangerous
TO our peace and safety" aod it can
make 20 difference Whether the Euro
peaD system is extended BY an al
vanauce of frontier or otherwise 1t is
also suggested 10 the British reply that
We should not seek to apply the Monroe
doctrine to the pending dispute because