The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-21


and here in Washington affairs moved at
the rapid pace OF a Kaleidoscope The Rouse
Venezuelan commission bill was amended in
material respects by the Senate foreign re-
lations committee. and then, by sudden
change In sentiment in the Senate was
passed unanimously just as it came from the
House; then an adjournment resolution from
tomorrow over the holidays was passed by
the Senate, only to be followed by an urgent
message from the President, strongly ad-
visng prompt action for the reform OF our
currency system and the maintenance of
public credit.
At the other end of the avenue the Presi-
dent and his Cabinet received prompt ad-
vices Of the course OF events here and on the
public exchanges. The Cabinet held two ses-
sions, something without precedent in re-
cent years. Secretary Herbert, who returned
from New York this afternoon, attended the
second meeting for a brief time. All of the
remaining members OF the Cabinet were
present, except Secretaries Lamont and
Smith, who are out OF town. The financial
situation was the principal topic of consid-
Grafton and the result OF the meeting was
repeated in the message sent to the Senate
late In the afternoon, the body being kept
in session by request from the White House
for it's reception.
The message was not favorably received
in the Senate. Its summary adjournment
on the motion of Senator Cockrell, one of
the Democratic leaders. Immediately after
the conclusion of the reading of the mes
sage, was taken on the Republican side
as a disposition not to consider the mes
sage seriously. Mr.. Cockrell declined to
define his motion or to discuss the ques-
tion of the proprlety of the suggestion.
Senator German, replying to a question,
said that he did not want to criticise the
President Senator Jones, of Arkansas.
when interviewed, simply remarked that
he thought the Senate would sit to-mor-
row. Senator Allison thought there would
be a recess notwithstanding the message
as the Senate had already passed a resolu-
ton to that effect before the message was
received. Senator Hawley said it appeared
to him as If the President was in a Bull
Run panic, and Senators Teller and Cullom.
when seen by reporter. agreed that it
looked as if the President was trying to
offset the effect of his Venezuelan mes
sage and that 1t was beginning to look
as If the President had concluded. from
the favorable manner In which the Ven-
Congress would follow any suggestion that
he might make.
ACTED WITH DELLBERATTON.
That the administration has not moved
precipitately in the Venezuelan affair is
evidenced by the fact, which has now be-
come known. that Secretary Olney's fa-
nous letter defining the Monroe doctrine
was considered for fully two months be-
heir n chedt 70 has dor RAJ
ard for delivery to Lord Salisbury. More
over it is a fact that the Presidents mes
sage, while perhaps hastily reduced to ex-
act form, really was the subject Of deep
deliberation for almost six months, for
there Is good reason to believe that the
adverse response of Lord Salisbury to Sec
retary Olneys note was expected by the
President. 1t is noted that the Presidents
message is distinct advance in our atti-
tude on the letter of the Secretary, for,
whereas the latter was confined to a dec
laration OF doctrine the former proposed
action that went far beyond that point. 1t
was this reason, without doubt, that caused
the message to be most carefully consid-
cred for many months
The diplomatic corps here appears to
have fallen under a rnisapprehension to
the purpose of the message, which may
account for the attitude of some of the
Euroean newspapers who have received
inspiration for their editorial articles from
their foreign Offices, for it is learned that
diplomates in Washington have in many
cases. and certainly in the cases of the rep
resentatives of European powers, Informed
their governments that President Cleve-
lands action was dictated purely by mo-
tives of political expejiency, and was not
intended to have any permanent result.
1t may be that the unanimity of support
accorded the President by Congress, ire
spective OF party affiliations, has induced
some Of these observers OF American in
stitutions to qualify their first advices to
their home governments
Although Secretary Herbert returned TO
washington from New York this afternoon,
as yet he has taken no action respecting
the orders to the North Atlantic squadron,
and so it will not sail tomorrow. as was
intended, for the West Indies. The Secre-
tary will communicate his intentions to Ad-
miral Bunce, who comes to Washington for
the purpose Sunday, but the impression
prevails that the fleet will not leave Amer
lean waters Immediately, and that the itin-
erary heretofore arranged will be modified
materially before its departure.
Further inquiry into the subject makes
it appear that if the commission to be ap-
pointed to ascertain the facts respecting
the Venezuelan boundary finds 1t necessary
to visit the country and to personally locate
the line the work will consume much more
time than is generally believed to be neces-
sary. outside Of the voyage to Venezuela,
which would consume not less than a
month, to and fro, the journey through the
wild interior of the country would be very
difficult. With a small flying force of eight
equipped colonial police, the journey to the
Uruan outpost, where the collision occurred,
and which marks one end of the line
claimed by Great Britain, could not be
made in less than twenty-three days. so
examination of the country the task, in
cluding the sea voyage, will probably oc-
cupy almost six months.
Many names have been suggested for
membership the commission, but to-
days action in passing the House bill un-
amended apparently eliminates several of
these names, including that Of Justice Har-
Ian, of the United States Supreme Court.
One name favorably mentioned is that of
Mr.. Partridge. of Vermont, formerly United
States minister to Venezuela.
"APPOINT BENZ. HARRISON.o
The "Posto Wants the Ex-Presfdent
on the Venezuelan Commission.
fal al I'll