The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-12-18

dependent Commission of Inquiry.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18.-The message
President Cleveland sent to congress yes
terday In connection with the Venezuelan
correspondence expressed in forcible terms
his belief that the Monroe doctrine, as
enunoiated to Lord Salisbury in Secretary
Olney' dispatch of July last, was founded
upon substantial considerations and in
volved our safety and welfare, and that it
was fully applicable to our present oondi-
ton, and was directly related to the pend
ing controversy" The president says in
part;
IF an European power by an extension of
its boundaries takes possession Of the ter
ritory of one of our neighboring republics
against its will and in derogation of its
rights, it is difficult to see why, to that ex-
tent, that European power does not thereby
attempt to extend it's system of govern
ment to that portion of this continent
which is thus taken. This is the precise
action which President Monroe declared
to be dangerous to our peace and safety,
and it can make no difference whether the
European system is extended by an adj
vance of frontier or otherwise.
Practically, the principle for which we
contend has peculiar, if not exclusive, re
lation to the United States 1t may not
have been admitted in so many words to
the code of international law, but since in
international counsels every nation is en-
titled to the rights belonging to it, if the
enforcement of the Monroe doctrine is
something we may justly claim 1t has
place in the code of international law as
certainly and as securely as If it were spe-
officially mentioned, and when the United
States is a suitor before the high tribunal
that administers international law, the
question to be determined is whether or
not we present claims which the justice of
that code of law can find to be right and
valid
1.-The Monroe doctrine finds its reoog-
milton in those principles of international
law which are based upon the theory that
every nation shall have its rights protected
and its just claims enforced
"Of course this government is entirely
confident that under the sanction of this
doctrine we have clear rights and un-
doubted claims. Nor is this ignored in
the British reply. The prime minister,
while not admitting that the Monroe doc
trine is applicable to present conditions,
states: "In declaring that the United
States would resist any such enterprise if
it was contemplated President Monroe
adopted a policy which received the entire
sympathy of the English government Of
that date
Assuming that the attitude of Vene-
zuela will remain unchanged the dispute
has reached such stage as to make it now
incumbent upon the United States to take
measures to determine with sufficient GER
tainty for its justification what is the true
divisional line between the republic Of
Venezuela and British Guiana. The in
quiry to that end should, of course be con
Quoted carefully and judicially and due
weight should be given to all available
evidence, records and facts in support Of
the claims of both parties.
"In order that such an examination
should be prosecuted in n thorough and
satisfactory manner, l suggest that the
congress make an adequate appropriation
for the expenses Of a commission to be APP
pointed by the executive, who shall make
the necessary investigation and report
upon the matter with the least possible de
lay When such report is made and ac
cepted it will, in my opinion be the duty
of the United States to resist by every
means in its power, as willful aggression
upon its rights and interests, the appro-
priation by Great Britain of any lands or
the exercise of governmental jurisdiction
over any territory which after investiga-
ton we have determined to rightly belong
to Venezuela.
'In making these recommendations /
am fully alive to the responsibility in
Cured and keenly realize all the conse-
quences that may follow. l am neverthe-
less firm in my conviction that, while it is
n grievous thing to contemplate the two
great English speaking people of the
world as being otherwise than friendly
competitors in the onward march of civil
ization and strenuous and worthy rivals
in all the arts Of peace, there is no calam-
ity which great nation can invite which
equals that which follows a supine sub
mission to wrong and injustice and the
consequent loss of national self respect
and honor beneath which is shielded and
defended peoples safety and greatness" 4"
Accompanying the presidents message
was Secretary Olney's note to Mr. Bayard
and Lord Salisbury's reply thereto, Mr.
Olney gives firm Endorsement of the
Monroe doctrine, and in conclusion says
that the duty of the president appears to
him unmistakable and Imperative To
ignore Great Britains assertion of title
hllNl llOl lNAAAodA W lldNb Lnul blblb AlNNb-
tigated and not protest and give warning
against the substantial appropriation by
Great Britain Of the territory for her own
use would be to ignore an established pol
icy with which the honor and welfare Ol
this country are closely identified. Ho
therefore instructed Mr. Bayard to lay the
views given before Lord Salisbury and de-
mand decision as to whether Great Brit,
ain would submit the dispute TO arbitra-
ton.
Lord Salisbury's reply is addressed to
Sir Julian Pauncefote, British ambassador
Rt Washington, under date of Nov. 20
last The dispute between Great Britain
and Venezuela, AYERS Lord Salisbury is
controversy with which the United States
have no apparent practical concern, as the
disputed territory belonged to the throne
OF England long before the republic of
Venezuela came into existence" As he
proceeds in the discussion the language of
Lord Salisbury becomes tart. He argues
on the theory that the Monroe doctrine in
itself is sound, but disclaims any intention