The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1895-12-26

doctrine is something we may justly claim, 1t
has its place in the code of international law as
certainly andas securely as hit were specifcal-
iy mentioned, aud when the United States is q
suitor before the high tribunal that admins
ters international law, the question to be de-
termined Is whether or not we present claims
which the justice of that code OF law can find to
be right and valid.
The Monroe doctrine finds its recognition in
the principles Of international law which are
based upon the theory that every nation shall
have its rights protected and its Just claims
enforced.
OF course, this Government is entirely conf
dent that, under the sanction OF this doctrine
we have clear rights and undoubted claims
Nor is this ignored In the British reply. The
prime minister while not admitting that the
Monroe doctrine is applicable to present condi-
tions, states
In declaring that the United States would
resist any such enterprise il it was contemplate
ed, President Monroe adopted policy which
received the entire sympathy Of the English
government of that date"
He further declares:
Though the language OF President Monroe is
directed to the attainment OF objects which
most Englishmen would agree to be sal
utary, it is impossible to admit that they have
been inscribed by adequate authority in the
code of international law"
Again he says:
They (her majesty's government) fully con-
cur with the view which President Monroe ap-
parently entertained, that any disturbance OF
the existing territorial distribution In that
hemisphere by any fresh acquisitions on the
part Of any European State would be highly
inexpedient change"
In the belief that the doctrine for which we
contend was clear and definite, that IL was
founded upon substantial considerations and
involved our safety and welfare, that 1t was
fully applicable to our present conditions and
to the state OF the worlds progress, and that 1t
was directly related to the pendiug controversy
and without any conviction as to the final
merits of the dispute, but anxious to learn in a
satisfactory and conclusive manner whether
Great Britain sought, under claim Of boun-
dary, to extend her possessions on this conti-
nent without right, or whether she merely
sought possession of territory fairly included
within her lines OF ownership, this government
proposed to the government of Great Britain a
resort to arbitration as the proper means Of
settling the question, to the end that vexa-
| tious boundary dispute between the two con-
testants might be determined and our exact
| standing and relation in respect to the contro.
versy might be made clear.
1t will be seen from the correspondence here.
with submitted that this proposition has beer
declined by the British government upor
grounds which, in the circumstances, seem tC
me to be far from satisfactory.
1t is deeply disappointing that such an ap.
peal actuated by the most friendly feelings to.
ward both nations directly concerned, addressed
to the sense Of justice and to the magnanimit,
OF one Of the great powers OF the world, ant
touching its relations to one comparatively
weak and small, should have produced no bet
| ter results
The course to be pursued by this government
in view Of the present condition, does not ap
pear to admit OF serious doubt Having laboret
faithfully for many years to induce GreatBritair
! to submit this dispute to impartial arbitration
and having been finally apprised of her refusa
to do so, nothing remains but to accept the sit
uatiOn, to recognize its plain requirements, anC
deal with 1t accordingly.
Great Britain's present proposition has neve
thus far been regarded as admissible by Vene
zuela though any adjustment OF the boundar
which that country may deem for her advantag
and may enter into Of her own free will cal
not, of course, be objected to by the Unite,
States
Assuming, however that the attitude Of Ven
ezuela will remain unchanged, the dispute ha
reached such stage as to make it now incum
bent upon the United States to take measure
to determine with sufficient certainty for 1t
justification what is the true divisional line be
tween the republic OF Venezuela and Britis
Guiana. The inquiry to that end should, {
course, be conducted carefully and judiciall!
and due weight should be given to oil availabl
evidence, records, and facts in support of th
claims OF both parties.
In order that such an examination should /
prosecuted in a thorough and satisfactory mar
ner, suggest that the congress make an adt
quate Appropriation for the expenses OF a con
mission, to be appointed by the executive VIII
shall make the necessary investigation and r,
port upon the matter with the least possib
delay. When such report is made and accepte
it will, in my opinion, be the duty of the Unite
States to resist by every means in its power
wilful aggression upon its rights and inte
ests the appropriation by Great Britain Of al
lands or the exercise Of governmental jurisdi
tion over any territory which after investig
tion we have determined OF right to belong
: Venezuela.
In making these recommendations am full
alive to the responsibility incurred and keen
. realize all the consequences that may follow.
: am, nevertheless, firm in my convicti
: that, while 1t is q grievous thing to contempla
the two great English-speaking peoples of Il
world as being otherwise than competitors
the onward march OF civilization, and siren
Gus and worthy rivals In all the arts OF peat
there is no calamity which q great nation CT
invite which equals that which follows q supi
submission to wrong and injustice and the co
y sequent loss OF onalself-respect and hone
beneath which are shielded and defended
peoples safety and greatness.
GROVER CLEVELAND
Executive Mansion, Dec. II, 1895.
ii IT'S q Mistake