New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-21
LOOKING FOR A REACTION.
THE ATTITUDE OF ENGL1SHMEN.
SURPRISED AT THE WIDESPREAD HOS
TILITY TO THEIR POLICY.
STILL RESOLVED TO PAY NO ATTENTION TO AN
AMERICAN COMMISSION on VENEZUELAN
AFFArRs-PREpIcTIoN OF FINANCIAL
ILLS FOR THE UNITED STATES
ny cAsIs TO rmx TRIBUNE,
Copyright; 1898, Bv The 7ribunt NssocfanonN

Copyright; ls9si Bv The Tribune Assocfat,on,
London. Dec. 20.-The English press eagerly ac-
cepts the slight evidence Of the subsistence Of the
excitement in America over President Cevelands
message. Brave is the talk war with the
United States is the last thing wanted, for the
food supplies Of the United Kingdom would be
endangered Canada exposed to invasion and con-
quest. Ireland handed over to the Fenian con-
sprators and the whole Empire drawn into a
struggle Of tremendous magnitude. The English
do not say much about these things but they are
thinking deeply Of them and are possibly over
anxious to have more decided break In the
American opinion in favor of Mr.. Cleveland than
has yet appeared. While they have been pluming
themselves their self possession and saying
How ca m and cool we are when the Americans
have lost their heads completely" they have
been profoundly stirred by the events of the week
and have not yet regained their composure.
The three public men quoted to-day most prom
inently are the Chancellor OF the EXchequer. Sir
Charles Dixie and NJ. Hanotaux. Sir Michael
Flcks-Beach considered the news from America
grave but advised every Englishman to keep
cool While unable TO consider war impossible
between the two countries. since II had already
happened twice, he believed that when the full
diplomatic correspondence should be published
the result would be peaceful and honorable to
all parties Sir Charles Dixie. with more tact
than Lord Salisbury spoke with respect Of the
Monroe Doctrine a legitimate expression OF the
feeling of the American people but declared ar
bitration TO be impossible and fully approved the
attitude Of the Foreign Office NJ. Hanotaux was
really non-committal. discreetly remarking that
a general principle like the Monroe Doctrine
could not be applied without reserve In disputes
Ike the Venezuela affair. but each case must be
considered according TO its merits and bearings.
Stocks are still unsettled, but the feeling has
improved. although all classes of American Sc
curities are suffering. The English press takes
great pains to prove that Mr.. Cleveland has
adopted course that will drive gold out Of Amer
.ca and will bring back securities of all kinds.
All journals repeat that Mr. Cleveland has adopt
I'd Jngoism for purposes of political campaign
ing and that the Republican leaders and jour
nails are supporting him because they feel they
cannot afford 20 have their Amoricanism ques-
toned on the eve Of a National election. This is
the accepted theory but shrewder critics admit
that II does not wholly explain the remarkable
evidence in America Of widespread feeling of
hostility 10 England. This creates general as
constituent It's existence was not suspected
here. When the changes nave been rung on the
wicked game OF Jngo politics. the English say
under their breath: why do they hate us in
the West South and everywhere in the Union?
l., ..,,,,,, account OF Lord Dunraven solely.
This Monroe Doctrine must be a kind Of Amer
ican religion and Lord Salisbury has excited ia
natical zeal by his excessive anxiety to score
points
So far as the American Commission Is con-
oerned. the English position is that their Gov
ernment cannot pay any attention to 1t. II II
discovers the lost boundary. and the Guianans
are found on the wrong side Of the line. the
Americans will have to send an army TO the
swamps Of the Orinoco TO dispossess them. and
war will follow.
Meanwhile England has nothing to do with the
eccentricities of American diplomacy. This
seems 10 point to 3 policy Of mastery inactivity;
but this may be reversed when the answer to
the British utimatum, or penultnatum, comes
from Venezuela on the indemnity question.
Whatever else HAPPENS. Europe Will no longer
have any excuse for believing that the Monroe
Doctrine is obsolete or reduced to innocuous
1esuetude The remarkable manifestation or
American sentiment in favor Of II Is warning to
European statesmen that the people believe In
Il deeply. L. ~ r