The San Francisco call., 1895-12-19

harder blow on British pride than it has
received in a century. 1t will demolish
England's prestige in all parts. of the
world. England must undertake ultra
formidable adventure or bow to Americas S
naughty ultimatum. Since Napoleon
threatened to invade England no chief of
state has dared to use toward the British
Foreign Office such firm language as that
of Mr. Cleveland. England is in a dilemma.
Submission is equivalent to humiliation
and resistance is equivalent to war, an inn
placable duel with all the energy and the
moral and material forces which America
has at its disposal, including the Irish
whom England's iniquitous rule has
exiled to the New World.
Europe will not intervene. It would
not dare to brave an American coalition
reused to anger by an attack upon its dear
est interests. The time is past when Brit
ish diplomacy bribed half the world and
intimidated the remainder. 1t is only
audacious now with weaklings like the
Matabeles; it will now know how to be
prudent. England cannot count on any
support"
The Journal des Debats says that Mr.
Cleveland's language is somewhat un-
measured, and undoubtedly places the
United States in the alternative of fighting
England, however monstrous that might
be, or beating an inglorious retreat after
yesterdays bravery. The paper contests
the right of the United States to intervene
in the Venezuelan dispute. The Monroe
doctrine, it says, cannot be considered by
the rest of the world as an international
act possessing any value as law of ma
tions. 1t is surprised at the proposal to
send commission to examine disputed
boundary in foreign country.
In conclusion the Debats says that not
withstanding the unfavorable character of
American political systems it refuses to
believe that Mr.. Cleveland would risk the
! honor Of Americans for mere political
motives.
La Liberte says: "Peoples of the
same race and origin are accustomed to
| using strong language without fighting.
Doubtless the difference will be settled
pacitically. If Lord Salisbury should pick
up the glove so arrogantly thrown down
| England would be able to organize a
military expedition in a few hours, while
| complication affords matter for reflection
on the disadvantages of colonial expan-
SION"
The Temps has a two-column editorial
on the message, which it says is the gravest
document signed by an American Presi-
dent since President Lincoln's manifesto
on the Trent incident. The question is
whether Mr.. Cleveland is merely twisting
the British lions tail or is acting
| seriously.
AT any rate his action is without diplo-
matte precedent, unless such can be found
in the annals of the arrogant Roman Sen
ate. England refuses arbitration, while
| the Unites States Government declares
that it wilfcompel England to accept its
Judgment without appeal 1t is impossi-
bic for an autonomous state, let alone a
great power, to submit to such humilia-
| ton. Mr.. Cleveland has been accused of
restricting the meaning of the Monroe doc
| trine, but IN fact he now stretches it beyond
measure. Monroe never imagined such
action. Mr.. Cleveland's claim to supreme
authority over the whole hemisphere is a
United States, as Europe and England will
not bow to such pretension. Arbitration
has been greatly harmed, in public opinion,
yet war is impossible. The incident is one
of the periodical outbursts that had par
allel in the Sackville-West affair. The
Temps says it Wishes and expects that a
pacific solution of the questions at issue
will he found t-t}-