New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-19
VENEZUELA AND THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
MIR. HENDERSON REACHES a CONCLUSION OPPo-
SITE TO THAT OF THE PRESIDENT
AND SECRETARY Ol.NEY

AND SECRETARY OLNEY.
Washington Dec 1s-John b. Henderson, jr. son
OF ex-senator Henderson. who was John W. Fosters
private secretary In the peace negotiations between
China and Japan. has ISSUED In pamphlet form
argument on the relations OF the Monroe Doctrine
to the Venezuelan question. After recounting the
boundary question. showing that the British and
Venezuelans equally negligent In settling the
boundaries Of Guiana "a country in which the sta
tstics show that the deaths nearly double the num-
Der OF births" Mr. Henderson attributes TO the dis
cOvery Of gold the nenshcaion OF the dispute. JUST
as a similar condition now threatens trouble In
Alaska, and then proceeds to consider the interest
the United States a nation has IN the controversy
lie begins with the Farewell Address of Washing
ton. and goes through the history of the develop
ments OF the Monroe Doctrine. just Secretary
Oney did in his dispatch OF July 90 but reaches
c,usions precisely opposite to those adopted by the
Secretary Of State and President Cleveland. He re-
calls that Sir Walter Raleigh assembled the Or.noco
River as English dscoverer twenty five years
before Plymouth Rock was ever pressed by Puritan
FOOT and 1t must be further remembered that for
nearly three hundred years the Guiana country
claimed and colonized alternately by England Ho-
land France and Spain; but in lS03 twenty years
fore the Monroe declaration was proclaimed all
right and title to what is now known as British
Guiana passed TO the Engl.sh Government, and since
that date the English title has been undsputed."
& or h os b IRON AmeFGan states
the attempt 10 restore Spanish dominion over
American republics. Mr.. Henderson declares that
the doctrine received It's authoritative exposition
by resolution adopted by the House of Repre-
the United States ought not to become a party
with the Spanish American republics or either OF
them, TO any joint declaration for the purpose OF
preventing interference by any Of the European
Powers with their Independence form OF gov
ernment. or to any compact for the purpose o.,
America. but that the people Of the United States
should be LEI, flee to act IN any crisis In such h
manner their feelings and friendship toward
those repub. cs ard az their own honor and policy
may al the time dictate"
Nj. Henderson closes his paper follows: III.
ue'a and Great Britain. shall discover in the
conduct OF the latter a dspos tion the nues-
ton Of unsettled boundaries as a mere pretext TO
extend her territorial Limits at the expense OF our
sister republic C, we are still free to denounce such
act hostile and unfrendly. and even dangerous
to our peace and safety should the clrcumstances
when carefully considered 10 Justify such
declaration. At present the English Government
claims TO be the Innocent and injured party'-that
Venezuela is the aggressor. not only In asserting
jects on teri tory which has for indcnn te
PERIOD been known and recognized by both gov
crnmcnts the property OF England. The truth
or lastly OF this claim Is not yet developed II
true England is clearly justified. II false. II will
be TINE enough FOR US 10 act. In material po nj
OF vew, with England, whatever rs re-
SUIT can bring nothing TO compensate for IFS losses
over ono-half OF our exports now go to England
While Ne annually sell TO her near.y $-,0.e0UD OF
our PRODUCTS. sell TO Venezuela about $1,000 .0O
ari 10 all the spanish South American REPUBLICS
less than 100000. such n means ruiz ed COM
and taxation OF the people 10 the very extreme
OF poverty and want"