The San Francisco call., 1895-12-19
The English Press United in
Opposing a Humiliating
Back-Down.
COMMENT ON THE CONTINENT.
German and French Editors Criticize
the Attitude of This
Government.


Cleveland;s message on the Venezuelan
affair has not abated throughout England.
Britons are furious, and the press and
people unite in declaring that Lord Sails
bury must back up his ultimatum, SUBJ
bitted in the answer to Secretary Olney's
note. British egotism sees no other result.
than quick retreat upon the part of
Americans when show of force is made.
The opinion seems prevalent that the Of
Tending nation must be chastised, though
many Englishmeu do not yet know what all
the trouble is about. That the chastising
process is likely to cause any great trouble
or annoyance to England is a belief
scarcely entertained among the masses.
The Marquis of Salisbury held the usual
Wednesday reception at the Foreign Of
flee to-day. The French German, italian
and Spanish ambassadors and the Aus
trian and Dutch Charge d'Affaires were
present. The United States ambassador.
Bayard, was absent.
1t is understood that the British Gov
ernment has not been informed officially
of President Cleveland's message in re-
gard to the proposed commission in the
Venezuelan boundary dispute, and that
Great Britain will follow the usual dipio-
matte course until overt action is taken by
the United States. The action of the
House OF Representatives in voting an ap-
preparation for the expenses of the COM
mission may hasten a crisis, but it is not
expected that there will be serious devel-
opments until the commission shall have
arrived in Venezuela.
It's presence on the Guiana border will
constitute grave menace. and the neces-
sary instructions will be forwarded to the
authorities to maintain the interests of
! Great Britain in Guiana.
| A number of politicians seen at the va
rious Conservative clubs by United Press
representative maintained that diplomats,
acting under instructions from Lord Sails
bury, had sounded European powers last
autumn prior to the dispatch of Great
Britain's reply, with the result that the
| diplomats answered that all the powers
! having interests in America agreed with
! Salisbury that the Monroe doctrine, as
stated by Olney did not possess interna-
tional authority.
Lord Salisbury was at his residence,
Hatfield House, Hertfordshire, but is ex-
pected to arrive in London this afternoon
to visit the Foreign Office.
Despite the publication of leaders assum-
ing that President CIeveland's message is
merely an election move, most of the
newspapers print articles sum mining up the
war strength of the United States. The
] st. James Gazette publishes list of Brit.
ish warships now in American waters,
with their dimensions, etc., followed by
! list of the vessels composing the United
States navy, giving their capacity, etc.
The Westminster Gazette has an article
showing the numerical strength of the
| United States army and the strength and
character and location of the country's
defenses.
/ The Pail Mall Gazette presents map
of the disputed frontiers, accompanied by
an article thereon.
While the afternoon papers generally
follow the lead of the morning newspapers,
the language is coarser and the insinua-
] tions broader.
The Daily News tomorrow will say that
it was hardly to be expected that Congress
!
priation for the proposed Venezuelan Com
mission.
"Mr. Cleveland's plot" says the News,
twas well laid and has achieved his inn
mediate object. Probably he sees in the
vista third term as his reward. But We
cannot believe he will permanently gain.
1t is not to the advantage of the Republi-
cans to prolong the excitement. Thus
party feelings, combined with the words
of the wise will make common-sense pre-
vail.
! "If the message had been communicated
to the Foreign Office it must have led to
rupture of diplomatic relations. AS it is
does not call for reply, but when it is
announced through the ambassador that
he commission has been appointed it will
i be necessary for Lord Salisbury to say how
! he regards it. He might under all the cir
cumstances treat its appointment-at least
its invasion of British territory-as hos
tile act. He will probably deem it wiser