New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-05
ENGLAND AND VENEZUELA
WITH THE HISTORY OF THE ADMINIsTRA
rIONs VIGOROUS" POLICY.

LORD SALISBURY AND THE BRITISH
TREMrERs DELIRERArIoN THEREBY
CAUSING GREAT EMBARRASSMENT
TO Mr. CLEVELAND.
fsY TELEGRAPH TO TRrBUsE.l
Washington, Dec. 4.-Presdent Cleveland ana
Secretary Olney were evidently much emoar-
rassed In their treatment In yesterdays message
of the Venezuela boundary dispute by the un-
willingness OF Lord Salisbury TO reply In any
way 70 the Administrations brief or protest OK
last July. The President 1t Is understood, was
anxious to present tc Congress the British az
we'll as the Venezuelan or American side OF the
controversy and felt himself greatly Handicapped
in his recommendations by Ignorance Of what the
Salisbury Government would do or would not dc
To settle the vexatlous question OF boundary
rights.
AS is we'll known the last Congress passed
resolution saying in effect that the recommends.
ton in the Presidents annual message OF 1884
looking to the arbitration OF the boundary dis.
pute wise. and suggesting that the matter
be further pressed Great Britain The resolu-
ton was adopted shortly before Congress ad-
iourned on March 4. Secretary Gresham did
nothing in the way Of practical compliance
with its terms. further than to discuss their in
tent with Attorney General Olney. Mr.. Olney
made a brief Of the case and some time before
General Gresham's fatal illness submitted II to
the state Department. Secretary Greshams
death followed and on Mr.. Olney's transfer TO
the State Department he again took up the ques-
ton While on his summer vacation he gave
serious study TO the subject. II will be remem-
bered that in July the date the President mem
tons in his message there was unusual call
issued by the Secretary OF State summoning
all absent members of the Cabinet to Washing
ton. 1t was at this meeting Of President C!eVe-
lands advisers that the much-talked-of note OF
the United States to Great Britain on the Nene-
zuelan boundary dispute was considered and ap-
proved. The story published at the time was tnat
the Cuban question was the subject OF the con-
ference but that issue not then brought
before the Cabinet The Cabinet approved M.
Olney's paper and that day IL was mailed 10
Ambassador Bayard. 1t is reasonable to suppose
that the note reached Lord Salisbury within ten
days from the time it left Washington But not
one word in reply has been received at the state
Department
Nearly a month ago Mr.. Bayard was advised
by cable message from Secretary Olney that II
was the Presidents intention TO refer In his
message to Congress TO the efforts Of the Admin.
istration in the Venezuelan case. Mr.. Oney lntl-
mated that the President would be pleased 70
have Lord Salisbury's reply few days before
Congress met. that he might say what view Eng
land took Of the arbitration proposition Inc
Secretary Of State said further that ne tet that
ne was justified in so peaking OF the matter con-
sidering all the circumstances. He dld not say 70
Mr. Bayard that the Administration was Dending
all its energies on the case or venezuela. ana
that il expected 20 make popular hit; out MI
| Bayard was probably aware OF what was IN tns
| air. -. ... u.
- SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE
During Mr.. Cleveland's present term the Ad-
minstration has been In close relations with the
British Foreign Office. IT is fact now well
known here that Of Secretary Greshams
notes on Behrng Sea affairs was really inspires
bv Sir Julian Pauncefote. Mr.. Olney was salts
fled that he would get an answer from Lore
Salisbury some time before Congress convened
without fail. He appears 10 have entertained
this notion until Saturday. The month hao
elapsed the Senate and House were 10 meet on
Monday the Presidents message was TO be made
public on Tuesday, but there was no WORD from
Englands Prime Minister The ADMINISTRATOR
| had manifested "vigor" but Great Britain had
! not shown her hand. On the contrary, Lord sails
bury had displayed calmness and indifference
amounting to contempt for Mr.. Olneys NOTES, 1n
! Something must be done, and promptly Inc
| Presidents message was complete, except the
chapter concerning Venezuelan affairs Ine
President, as we'll as Mr. Olney. knew that II
| would appear remarkable to the country that an
| important and vigorous note sent out by the
| State Department In July remained unanswered
! in December. .
! Mr. Cleveland expressed much displeasure at
! the course OF Lord Salisbury, and urged action
| on the part Of the Secretary Of State. Early on
| SATURDAY. morning Mr.. Oney sent the second
| cable message to Mr.. Bayard. II was reason
| ably long and particularly pointed IL said IN
brief that the Secretary had waited with due
| patience the reply of the British Foreign once
| 10 his note OF July. that no answer had been re-
| ceived and that IL important that one
| should arrive that day. Mr. Bayard was IN
structed 10 call Immediately upon Lord Sals-
| bury explain the circumstances and say TO the
| Prime Minister that his views were mcch de-
| sired Mr. Oney closed with an irtilnation TO
the effect that Il would be a breach or courtesy,
considering the relations existing. FOR England
! not 10 send a reply forthwith. The secretary
| of State asked for reply through Mr. Bayard
| Mr. Bayard was in London on saturday. so wa9
Lord Salisbury. But no dispatch was cabed by
! him kilograms from the English capital or that
| date announced that the Prime Minister had In
the forenoon forwarded by mail to Sir Julian
| Pauncefote an answer 70 the note OF the Amerl-
can State Department concerning the proposition
to submit to arbitration the venezuelan bound
airy dispute.
This Is the story OF how the Administration
failed in its much-talked-of effort at display
of vigor in foreign affairs and why there is
much disappointment and irritation at the White
House and the State Department. The fact will
not escape notice thai Lord Salisbury has acted
most deliberately The news from London mat
notwithstanding the receipt at the Foreign
Office Of two appeals from the State Department
saving that the matter urgent. he finally
mailed his answer two days before Congress met.
will doubtless attract attention TO the Admins
trations embarrassments in stating satisfactorily
it's diplomatic policy with reference to this Inn
portant international dispute.
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TO xurvD THE R4JYOT YIT