The Portland daily press., 1895-12-18

milton in the principles Of international
law which are based upon the theory that
every nation shall have its rights pro-
teoted and it's just claims enforced. OF
course this government is entire'y conf
dent that under the sanction of the doc
trine we have clear rights and undoubted
claims. Nor is this ignored in the Brit
ish reply. The prime minister while
not admitting that the Monroe doctrine
is applicable to piss mt conditions, states:
In declaring that the United States
would
RESIST ANY SUCH ENTERPRISE
ii it was contemplated, President Monroe
adopted policy which received the en-
tire sympathy OF the English government
OF that date. He further declares:
Though the language Of President Mon
roe is directed to the attainment of OBJ
Jects which most Englishmen would
agree to be salutary, it is impossible to
admit that they have been inscribed by
any adequate authority in the code OF in
ternatIonal laws. Again he says: They
(Her MaJesty's government) fully concur
with the view which President Monroe
apparently entertained, that any dis
turbance in that hemisphere by any fresh
acquisitions on the part of any European
l.
change
Gin the belief that the doctrine for
which we contend was clear and definite,
that it was founded uron 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 pending oontro-
versy and without any conviction as to
the final merits of the dispute, but an
xious to learn In satisfactory and con-
| elusive manner whether Great Britain
sought under claim Of boundary to ex-
tend her possessions in this continent
without right, or whether she merely
sought possession of territory fairly in
cluded within her lines of ownership,
this government proposed to the govern
ment of Great Britain
A RESORT TO ARBITRATION
as the proper means of settling the ques-
tion, to the end that vexatious boundary
dispute between the two contestants
might be determined, and our exact stand
ing and relation in respect to the contro
versy might be made clear.
''It will be seen from the correspond
ence herewith submitted, that this propo-
sition has been declined by the British
| government, upon grounds which in t he
circumstances seem to me to be far from
satisfactory. 1t is deeply disappoin ting
that such an appeal, actuated by the most
friendly feelings towards both nations
directly concerned, addressed to the sense
of justice and to the magnanimity of
one OF the great powers of the world, and
touching it's relations to one compare
lively weak and small, should have pro-
duced no better results.
4 tn bo hu iS
ernment in view of the present oondit-
ions, does not appear to admit Of seri-
GUS doubt. Having labOred faithfully for
many years to induce Great Britain to
submit this dispute to impartial arbitra-
tion, and having been now finally ap-
prised OF her refusal to do So nothing
remains but to accept the situation, to
recognize its plain1requirements and deal
with 1t accordingly.
IbE"G Greet Britain's present proposition
has thus far been
REGARDED AS INADMISSABLE
by Venezuela, though any adjustment OF
the boundary which that country may
deem for her advantage and may enter
into Of her own free will, cannot OF
course be objected to by the United
States. Assuming, however, that the
changed, the dispute has reached such q
stage as to make it now incumbent upon
the United States to take measures to do
termine with sufficient certainty for itt
Justification, what is the true divisional
line between the republic of Venezuela
and British Guiana. The inquiry to that
end should of course be conducted care
fully and judioially and due weight
should be given to all able evidence, re-
| dc in oP tho ~
both parties.
''In order that such an examination
should be prosecuted in thorough and
satisfactory manner, suggest that the
Congress make an adequate appropriation
for the expenses of commission, to be
appointed by the executive, who shall
make the necessary Investigation and
possible delay. When such report is
made and accepted it will, in my opin
ion, be the duty of the United States to
resist by every means in its power as 9
wilful aggression upon it's rights and in
terests, the appropriation by Great Brit
ain of any lands or the exercise of gov
ernment all jurisdiction, over any terri
tory which, after investigation, we have
determined Of right, belongs to Venezue
"In making these recommendation
am fully alive to the responsibility in
Cured and keenly realize all the conse
quences that may follow.
81 am, nevertheless,
FIRM IN MY CONVICTION
thatwhile 1t Is a grevious thing to oontem
plate the two great English speaking peo
pie of the world, as being otherwise thar
friendly competitors in the onward marct
Of civilization, and strenuous and worthy
rivals in all the arts of peace, there il
nolcalamity which great nation can in
vite which equals that which follows q
supine submission to wrong and injus
tioe, and the consequent loss of nationa
self respect and honor beneath which
are shielded and defended peoples safe
ty and greatness. -
GROVER CLEVELAND,
Executive Mansion, December IL, 1896.
FIRM ENDORSEMENT.
Mr. Olney Enunciates the Monroe Doctrin.
Firmly and Decisively.
Although the matter submitted to Con
gress with the foregoing MASSAGE con