Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1895-12-11
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Special Correspondent
WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. s, '05.

WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. s, '05.
There has been much talk of II war
with England, but now for the first
time in many years there is actual
probability of such Il war. In fact, un.
less the situation is misunderstood in
Washington, there has got to be u fight
or Il ~backdown, and it is certain that
even if the Administration wished to
backdown that Congress will not allow
it to do so. The Monroe doctrine has
always been believed in by the Repub-
lican party, and the Republicans in
Congress u not only be depended
upon to stand by the Administration in
maintaining that doctrine, but to force
it to maintain it if such n course be
necessary. The only portion of Mr..
Cleveland's message that struck a re
sponsive chord in Congress was that
clause dealing with the communication
sent to the British Government last
July demanding a specific answer as
to whether it proposed to submit to
arbitration the disputed boundary line
between British Guiana and Venezuela.
and giving notice that this Govern
ment would not allow England to
forcibly take any territory claimed by
Venezuela. England has answered
that demand, and although the full
text of that answer has not yet been
received-it is now on the way by
MALT is understood that it contains
a more or less positive refusal to arbi-
trate the dispute. Should that under
standing prove correct there is nothing
left but to inform England that the
United States will not allow her to
steal V%enezuela's territory, aud in
order to give that information force it
is probable that it will be sent by Con-
gress, which alone has power to declare
war, in the shape of a joint resolution.
Mr.. Cleveland this week sent for
Speaker Reed and the two held a
lengthy conference. 1t is not posi-.
lively known that the subject of this
conference was the Monroe doctrine,
but it is believed that it was, and that
Mr.. Cleveland Sent for Mr.. Reed in
order to ascertain just where the Re.
publicans stood and to arrange as to
how the matter should be dealt with
by Congress. As soon as England's
answer is received it will be sent to
Congress accompanied by q special
message from the President, aud if it
be of the nature expected England
would just as well prepare to choose
between backing down or fighting, for
in the present humor of Congress she
will be allowed no alternative.
Mr.. Cleveland's message, so far as it
related to financial matters had just as
well never have been written, as there
ism the slightest probability that Con-
gress will even consider the retirement
of the greenbacks at this time. His
ignoring of the Treasury deficit, in
order to escape recommending legisla
ton for increasing the revenues, was
plainly done for the purpose of throw
ing the responsibility of amending the
tariff laws upon the Republicans. The
Republican party has never shirked d
responsibility and it will not do so.
Congress will provide in its own way
the money needed by the Governments
and leave the responsibility of accept
ing or vetoing that legislation upon
Mr.. Cleveland.
The Republican Senators have held
several conferences since Congress met
to deal with the question of reorgan-
ganizing the Senate, and, although no
program has actually been agreed upon
there is little doubt that the Republi
cans will in due time reorganize the
Senate. There are not enough Repub.
licans to make a majority, but it is be.
licved that the Populist Senators, who
have agreed to vote together for a time
on the organization question, will
eventually divide and that enough of
them will vote with the Republicans
to make a majority, but no induce
ments will be offered them to do so.
Among the flood of bills introduced in
the House this week was one presented
by Representative Johnson, of Cali
fornia. which ought to become q law.
1t provides for the amending of the
naturalization laws so that no alien
shall become a citizen who has not fo,
five years preceding his application re-
sided within the United States, and
who can not read, write and speak the
English language.
The application of Senator elect Du
pont, of Delaware, for the seat IN the
Senate to which he was elected has
been referred to the Senate Election
committee, and there is little doubt
about his getting the seat. He has a
clear case.
Speaker Reed has not announced the
House committees, and until he does
the House will probably only sit two
days a week, as it did this week, un
less there shall be some special reason
for changing the program. Mr.. Reed
has not set any date, but the impression
prevails that the committees will be
announced some time next week, or at
the latest within ten days.
Kind Words.
The poet. PHILOSOPHER and wit. Steve