The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-12-20
protected end its just claims enforced
Clear Rights and Undoubtcd CIotms

undoubted claims. Nor is this ignored
in the British reply. The prime minis
ter, while not admitting that the Mon
roe doctrine is applicable to present
conditions, states. In declaring that
the United States would resist any
such enterprise If it was contemplated,
President Monroe adopted a policy
which received the entire sympathy of
the English government of that date. :
lie further declares: Though the Ian
guage of President Monroe is directed
to the attainment OF objects which
most Englishmen would agree TO be
5alutary, IL is impossible TO admit
that they have been inscribed by any
adequate authority in the code of in.
ternational law Again he says: They
Cher majesty's government fully con-
cur with the view which President
Monroe apparently entertained, that
any disturbance of the existing terri
torial distribution in that hemisphere
by any fresh acquisitions on the part
of any European state, would be a
highly inexpedient change Anxious
to learn in satisfactory manner
whether Great Britain sought under a
claim of boundary, to extend her pos
sessions on this continent without
right, or whether she merely sought
possession of territory fairly included
within her lines of ownership, this
government proposed to the govern
ment of Great Britain a resort to arbi-
tration as the proper means of settling
the question, to the end that a vexatious
boundary dispute between the two con-
tcstants might be determined and our
exact standing and relation in respect
to the controversy might be made
clear.
Our Course Is CIenr.
at will be seen from the correspond
ence herewith submitted that this pro-
position has been declined by the Brit
ish government upon grounds which,
in the circumstances, seem to be far
from satisfactory. IT is deeply disap-
pointing that such an appeal, actuated
by the most friendly feelings towards
both nations directly concerned, ad-
dressed to the sense of justice and to
the magnanimity of one of the great
powers of the world and touching its
relations to one comparatively small
and weak, should have produced no
better results. The course TO be pur-
sued by this country, in view of the
present condition, does not appear to
admit of serious doubt. Having labored
faithfully for many years to induce
Great Britain to submit this dispute to
impartial arbitration, and having been
now finally apprised of her refusal to
do so, nothing remains but to accept
the situation, to recognize its plain re-
quirements, and to act accordingly.
Great Britain's present proposition has
never thus far been regarded rs admis-
sible by Venezuela, though any ad-
justment of the boundary which that
country may deem for her advantage
and may enter into of her own free will
cannot, of course, be objected to by the
United States.
The United States Must Act.
"Assuming, however, that the atti-
Jude of Venezuela will remain un-
changed, the dispute has reached such
a stage as to make it now incumbent
upon the United States to take meas
ures to determine with sufficient cer-
tainty for its justification what is the
true divisional line between the repub-
lie of Venezuela and British Guiana.
The inquiry to that end should, of
course, be conducted carefully and ju-
dicially, and due weight should be
given to all available evidence, records
and facts in support of the claim OF
both parties
Must Resist BY Every Means.
ain order that such an examination
should be prosecuted In a thorough and
satisfactory manner, / suggest that
the congress make an adequate appro-
priation for the expenses of commits
sion to be appointed by the executive,
who shall make the necessary investi-
CATION and report upon the matter
with the least possible delay. When
such report is made and accepted it
will, in my opinion, be the duty of the
United States to resist by every means
in it's power as wilful aggression
upon its rights and interests the ap-
preparation by Great Britain of any
lands or the exercise of any govern
mental jurisdiction over any territory
which after investigation we have
detefilined of right belong to vene-
zuela. In making these recommends
tions am fully alive to the full re-
sponsibility incurred, and keenly real
ize all the consequences that may fol-
low.
No Calamity Like supine Submission
81 am, nevertheless, firm in my con-
yictioA that while it is grievous thing
to com template the two great English
speakibg people of the world as being
otherwise than friendly competitors in
tbe,5nward march of civilization, and
GAuous and worthy rivals in all the
of peace, there is no calamity
"a great nation can invite which