The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-12-18
A Note OF WAR;
CONTINUED FROM FIRST pAaE.]


promoting the restoration of diplomatic
relations between the two countries, by
pressing for arbitration of the disputed
boundary. by offering to act as arbitra-
tor, by expressing its grave concern
whenever new alleged instances OF
British aggression upon Venezuelan
territory have been brought to its no
tice, the Government of the United
States has made II clear to Great Brit
ain and to the world that it is a contro-
versy in which both its honor and its
interests are involved, and the contlnu-
ance of which it cannot regard with IN
difference.
Mr.. Olney continues: 1.-THE accuracy
OF the foregoing analysis of the eXlStlHs
status cannot, it is believed, be chaI-
lenged. 1t shows that status to be sucu
that those charged with the interests OF
the United States are now forced TO de-
termine exactly what those interests
are, and what course of action to re-
Quire 1t oompels them to decide 10
what extent, if any, the United states
may and should intervene in contro-
versy between and primarily concern
ing only Great Britain and Venezuela
and to decide how far it is bound TO see
that the integrity of Venezuelan terri
tory is not impaired by the pretensloAs
of its powerful antagonist.
Are any such right and duty de-
yolved upon the United States? II NOT
the United States has already done all
if not more than all, that purely sentl-
mental interest in the affairs OF the
two countries justifieS, and to push It's IN
terposition farther would be unbecom-
ing and undignified, and might well
subject it to the charge of impertlnent
intermeddling with affairs with Whlch
it has no rightful concern. On the otner
hand, if any such right and duty EXISTS,
their due exercise and discharge VIII
not permit of any action that shall not
result in the accomplishment OF the end
in view.
1.-The question thus presented, as a
matter Of principle and regard being
had to settled national policy, does not
seem difficult of solution. Yet the mo-
mentous practical consequences de-
pendent upon its determination require
that it should be carefully considered,
and that the grounds of the conclusion
arrived at should be fully and frankly
stated. That there are circumstances
under which a nation may justly In
terpose in a controversy to which two
or more other nations are the direct
and immediate parties, is an admitted
canon Of international law. The doc
trine is ordinarily expressed in terms
of the most general character, and is
perhaps incapable of more specific
statement. 1t is declared in substance
that nation may avail itself of this
right whenever what is done or pro-
posed by any of the parties primarily
concerned is a serious and direct men
ace to its own integrity, tranquility or
welfare"
Mr.. Olney goes on to define the posi-
ton of the United States as laid down
by President Monroe. He says: Con
serving unquestionably that complete
European non-interference in Amerf-
can concerns would be cheaply purchas-
ed by complete American non-interfer-
ence in European concerns, President
-,-O4Iroe IN the celebrated message of
December ,, 1923, used the following
language: In the wars of the Euro
pean powers in matters relating to
themselves we have never taken any
part, nor does it comport with our pol
fey to do so. 1t is only when our rights
are invaded or seriously menaced that
we resent injuries or make prepara-
tons for our defense. With the move
ments in this hemisphere we are of
necessity more Immediately connected
and by causes which must be obvious
10 all enlightened and impartial OBJ
servers.
The political system of the allied
Powers is essentially different In this re-
spect from that of America. This differ
ence proceeds from that which exists in
their respective Governments And to
the defense of our own, which has been
achieved by the loss of so much blood
and treasure. and matured by the wis
dom OF their most enlightened citizens
and under which we have enjoyed un-
eXampled felicity this whole nation is
devoted We owe it, therefore, to candor
and to the amicable relations existing
between the United States and those
Powers to declare that we should con-
slider any attempt on their part to ex-
tend their system to any portion of
this hemisphere as dangerous to our
peace and safety. With the existing col
onieS or dependencies of any European
Power we have not interfered, and shall
not interfere. But with the Governments
who have declared their independence
and maintained ii, and whose indie
pendence we have on great consider
alton and on just principles ackwowI-
edged, we could view any interposition
for the purpose of expressing them, or
controlling in any other manner their
destiny by any European Power, in any
other light than as the manifestation Of
an unfriendly disposition toward the
United States.
Our policy in regard to Europe,
which was adopted at an early stage of
wars which have so long agitated that
quarter of the globe, nevertheless re-
mains the same, which is not to inter-
its Powers; to consider the Government
de facto as the legitimate Government
for US; to cultivate friendly relations
with it and to preserve those relations
by a frank, firm and manly policy,
meeting in all instances the just claims
of every Power, submitting to injuries
from none. But in regard to these con-
tinents, circumstances are eminently
and conspicuously different. 1t is impos-
sible that the allied Powers should ex-
tend their political system to any por-
ton of either continent without endan-
gering our peace and happiness; nor
can anyone believe that our southern
brethren, if left to themselves, would
adopt it of their own accord. 1t is equal
ly impossible, therefore, that we should
behold such interposition, in any form.
with Indifference
Mr.. Olney then sets forth at length
our position under the Monroe doc
trine. He says it does not establish a
general protectorate by the United
States over other American States, and
does not relieve any American State
from obligations fixed by International
law. 1t has but single purpose and OBJ
ject. 1t is THAT no European Power, or
combination Of European Powers, shall
forcibly deprive an American State of
its right and power of self-g government
and of shaping for itself its own polit-
zeal fortunes and destinies''
Mr.. Olney states that every admins
tration since that of President Monroe
has Endorsed the doctrine; that it was
the controlling factor IN the emancipa-
ton OF South America; that to 1t must
be credited the evacuation OF Mexico by
the French at the end Of the Civil War,
and the REIMBURSEMENT of the supposed
protectorate by Great Britain over the
Mosquito coast.
He continues: eff. however, for the
reasons stated, the forcible intrusion of
Enrnnaan Powers into American noli-