Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-30

responsibilities The path which we should
follow lies clear before us. We must be
must protect our coasts and hold the COM
merce of that hemisphere. We do not
NEEDLE with the affairs of Europe.
Temper of the American People.
But, Mr.. President, I think there Is no
mistaking the temper of the American peo-
pie. For thirty years they have been abb
sorbed in healing the ravages of civil war
aid in completing the conquest of that
great continent which was our inheritance.
That work is done. The American people
have begun to turn their eyes toward those
interests of the United States which lie be-
yond our borders and yet so near our
doors. They see those interests have been
neglected. They see another nation hem
ming them in with Notifications, encroach-
ing upon regions which must remain what
they have always been-American. They
are resolved that there shall be an end to
these things.
Il do not believe, Mr.. President, that the
people of England have the least desire to
engage in hostilities with the United States
any more than we seek or desire hoStilities
with them. Nor do I think that they take
any serious interest in this disputed Ven
eZUelan territory, or realize even now that
the question involves for US a principle
which we consider vital to our safety and
welfare.
I'VE have seen British forces at Corinto.
ezuela. They are attempting TO take land
en- the Alaskan boundary. They have just
denounced the modus vivendt, ard respond
in that way the perilous dispute OF the
northern fisheries. 1t is not by accident
that these events have all occurred or all
come to an acute stage within the past
year. They are not due to us for we have
committed no aggression upon anybody. OF
all these difficulties, which are now upon
US, the most Immediate Is that involved in
the dispute with Venezuela. They tell us
that this territory is remote and worthless.
1t Is remote, perhaps, but it is not worth
less, for if it had been, the Venezuelan
possession of it would be undisturbed.
Great Britain Responsible.
Mr.. President, who is responsible for
the unhappily strained relations between
England and the United States? AS 1 have
pointed out. we have not been the agrees
sor5 on any of the points row in dispute,
whether in Alaska or Venezuela. What,
then, has strained our relations? Is it not
reremptory refusal to arbitrate this ques-
ton of boundary? Who gave that refusal?
Great Britain. We have provided for the
appointment of a commission, not to ar
bitrate between Great Britain and FeneZu-
ella, but to inform us, after careful inves-
tigation, what the true divisional line, in
their opinion, should be. Who mas drawn
an arbitrary line Of boundary and declared
that they should not arbitrate to the east
of it? Not the United States, but Great
britain. UltlmatumS are what strain re-
iatioHs, and they have come from Great
Britain and not from us. l believe that
this question will be peacefully settled by
the good sense Of the represe natives of
England and the United States. but I am
very clear that such sentiment can only
be reached by action on the part of Con-
gress and of the President which shall
he as firm as it is temperate. and which
shall maintain the Monroe doctrine abso-
| lutely, and at all hazards, wherever it
justly applies. That doctrine is as import
ant 10 us the balance of power is to
Europe, and those who maintain the latter
must rot attempt to break down the prin-
cipie which guards the integrity of the
Americans and protects them from the in
reference and control CT the foreign pow
erS'