The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-12-18
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1895.
Yesterdays Message.

lands message to congress on the Ven |
ezuelan question will be applauded by |
the people Of the United States. The |
message is a terse statement of the
situation. and 1t seems to us clearly
to outline the policy which this coun-
try ought to pursue.
The plea at first made by England
was that the government of the United
States does not distinctly understand
the point at issue between Great Brit
ain and Venezuela. as far as boundary
lines are concerned. That is to say.
the government at London implied
that 1t has certain old claims or proofs
of claims with which the president
and the department of state seemed
nor to be acquainted.
However that may be. the more re-
cent note from Lord Salisbury raised
a much more vital issue. This note
practically repudiates the Monroe doc
trine, as far as England is concerned.
claiming that the doctrine finds no
recognition in international law: that
Il was originally formulated for condi-
lions which no longer exist; that IT is
not applicable to the controversy with
Venezuela; and that "a new and
strange extension" of the doctrine is
now proposed by the United States.
President Cleveland declares that the
Monroe doctrine is strong and sound"
He says that the doctrine must stand
and that II was intended to apply to
every stage of our national life and
cannot become obsolete while our re-
public endures." That's the way to
talk.
The next step is to assure ourselves
as to the merit of the controversy over
the disputed boundary line: the idea
is that this country shall inform itself
by it's own inquiries where the line Is
and whether Venezuela's claim Is valid.
To this end, the president recommends
an appropriation to provide for the
expense of a commission to be appoint
ed by the executive. for the purpose
of ascertaining. to the satisfaction of
the United States. the truth about the
line-possibly the republican majority
in congress may bubble over the APP
pointment of a commission "by the ex-
ecutive."
II. then. II appears to the United
States that Venezuela has the right of
IL, and IL the venezuelans propose to
resist England's claim, the next step
is important; the presidents message
makes no reservation in saying what
that step is: 1T will be the duty OF
the United States to resist by every
means In it's power. as a willful az.
gression upon its rights and interests
the appropriation by Great Britain OF
any lands or the exercise of govern.
mental Jurisdiction over any territory
which, after investigation, we have de
termined of right belongs to Venezue
Ia" That means war.
That is to say. 1T means war as IA
as this country is concerned: probably
following the intimation in one OF tn,
Salisbury notes, England will patel
up an arrangement with venezuel,
and thus avoid a clash with the Unite,
States. However that may be. tn
message is the distinct announcement
Oh a pOnCs " luiS NOunG9 I
fully committed. Call 1t a revised edi
ton of the Monroe doctrine IL yo
please: by whatever name you call 1
all Europe will understand IL to mea
that this country will leave the trans
Atlantic powers alone. and those pow
ers, within the limits marked by Nj
olney's letter. must leave this sid
alone.
The message presents the situatio
admirably II is a dignified and
patriotic state paper. 1t has no fiiT
pant word. IL takes account of cond
lions that may easily become seriou.
and it is addressed to the people OF
republic who. manifestly. will stan
by the doctrine which certain Peep
at London profess TO ignore.
II is more than forty years since n