Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-12-26

Z
expedient chan ge." In the belief that
the doctrine fDr which we contend is
clear and definite and founded on sub
stantial considerations involving our
safety and welfare; that it is fully ap-
plicable to our present conditions and
the state of the worlds progress and
directly related to the pending contro
to the final merits of the dispute but
anxious to learn in a satisfactory and
conclusive manner whether Great
Britain sought under the claim of a
dispute to extend her possessions on
this continent without right. or
whether she merely sought the pos
session Of territory fairly included
within her lines Of ownership, this
government, says the president. pro-
posed to the government of Great
Britain a resort to arbitration as the
proper means of settling the question,
to the end that the vexatious boundary
dispute between the contestants be de-
termined and our exact relation in re-
spect to the controversy made clear.
It will be seen from the correspondence
herewith submitted that this propo-
sition has been declined by the British
government on grounds, which, under
the circumstances, seem to me far from
satisfactory. 1t is deeply disappoint-
ing that such an appeal actuated by
the most friendly feeling toward both
nations directly concerned, addressed
to the sense of justice and the mag
nan1mlty Of one Of the great powers
of the world touching its relations to
one comparatively weak and small,
should have produced no better re-
suits. The course to be pursued by
this government in view of the pres
ent conditions does not appear to admit
of serious doubt. Having labored
faithfully many years to induce Great
Britain to submit the dispute to i'm
partial arbitration; having been finally
appraised of her refusal to do so, moth
ing remains but to accept the situation.
recognize its plain requirements and
deal with it accordingly. Great Brit
aims position has never been regarded
as admissible by Venezuela, though
any adjustment OF boundary which
that country may deem for her advan-
tage and may enter into of her own
free will cannot of course be objected
to by the United States. Assuming.
however, that the attitude of Venezuela
will remain unchanged, the dispute has
reached a stage to make it incumbent
fhn JT,,i+
ures to determine with sufficient Ger
tainty for it's justification what is the
true divisional line between Vene-
Zuela and British Guiana. An inquiry
to that end should, of course, be con-
drcted carefully, judicially and due
dence, records and facts in support of
the claims of both parties In order
that such an examination may be
prosecuted in thoroughly satisfactory
manner, | suggest that congress make
an adequate appropriation for the ex-
penses Of a commission TO be appointed
by the executive, who shall make the
necessary investigation and report
with the least possible delay. When
such report has been made and ac-
cepted it will be, in my opinion, the
duty of the United States to resist by
every means in its power as a willful
aggression upon its rights and inter-
ests the appropriation by Great Britain
of any lands or exercise of government
al jurisdiction over any territory which
after investigation, we have deter
mined of right belongs to Venezuela.
Making these recommendations l am
fully alive to the responsibility in
Cured and keen to realize all the con-
that may follow / am
nevertheless of the conviction that,
while it is a grievous thing to con-
template the two great English-speak-
ing peoples of the world as otherwise
than friendly competitors in the Oh
ward march of civilization and siren
uous, worthy rivals in all the acts of
peace, there is no calamity which a
great nation can invite which equals
that which follows supine submission
to wrong or injustice and the conSe-
Quent loss of national self-respect and
honor beneath which is shielded and
defended a peoples safety and great
ness. Grover Cleveland.
Olrnys Note
The correspondence accompanying
the message opens with Secretary
Olneys note of July last addressed to
Ambassador Bayard, reopening nego-
tiations with Great Britain for the ar
bitration of the boundary dispute. 1t
carefully reviews the dispute, sets
forth the momentous consequences
should the United States deem it it's
duty to intervene positively therein,
states it as provision OF international
law that a nation may justly inter-
pose in a controversy between other
nations whenever what is done or pro-
posed by any of the parties primarily
concerned is a serious, direct menace
to its own integrity, tranquility or well
fare. The secretary then lays down
the proposition as long conceded that
America is in no part open to colonial
ticn; that American non-intervention
in Europe necessarily implied Euro
pean non-intervention in American af-
fairs. He says this rule docs not es-
tablish any general protectorate by the
United States over other American
states; does not relieve any state from
it's obligations fixed by international
law, nor prevent any European power