The Dickinson press., 1895-12-21

TIE historic state peQer centering
around the> e msclas pronunciamento of
President Monroe. The message of
the president is as follows:
IN my annual message addressed to the congress
on the third instant, called attention to the
pending boundary controversy between Great Brit
ain and the Republic Of Venezuela, and recited the
substance OF representation made by this gov
eminent to her Britannia majesty's government.
suggesting reasons why such disputes should bs
submitted to arbitration for settlement and inquir-
ing whether 1t would be 90 submitted.
The answer of the Britism government, which
was then awaited, has since been received and,
together with the dispatch to which 1t is a reply,
10 hereto appended. Such reply is embodied in two
communications addressed by the British prime
minister to Sir Julian Pauncefote the British am.
bassador at this capital. 1t will be seen that one
Of these communications is devoted exclusively to
observations upon the Monroe doctrine, and claims
extension and development Of this doctrine is In
eisfed on by the United States; that the reasons
}sstfing an APPEAL to the doctrine en9nsated ay
the state OF things in which live at the present
day." and especially inapplicable to controversy
myolyinE the boundary line between Great Britain
Without attempting extended arguments in reply
to these positions. 1t may not be amiss to suggest
that the doctrine upon which We stand Is strong
and sound because its enforcement is important to
our peace and safety as nation and is essential
tranquil msintsnsnce @ Of oar distipctiVe form Of
government. 1t was intended to apply to every
stage Of our national life and cannot become obso
Of power il Justly cause for Jealous anxiety
among among the governments Of the old world. and .
less is an observance Of
The Monroe Doctrine
ef vital concern to our people and their sovera-
meno. Assuming therefore. that we may prop
erly insist upon this doctrine, without regard 70
the state Of things In which we live'' or any
changed conditions here or elsewhere, It 10 nos
apparent why its application may not be invoked
By an extension Of Its boundaries. takes posses.
republics against its will and IN derogaton Of its
rights 1t is difficult to see why, to that extent,
such European powei does not thereby attempt
TO extend its system Of government to that por-
is the precise action which President Monroe de.
clared to be dangerous to our peace and safety"
and 1t can make no difference whether the Euro.
Rean Ra,. system Is extended BY an advance OF
1t /. ALSO suggested in the British reply that
70 the pending dispute because it does not EN-.
body any principle of International law, which
'is founded on the geAeral consent Of nations. :"
nation, however powerful. are competent to in:
sert into the code Of international law a novel
hS
ment Of any other country"
Practically. the principle for which we contend
in 80 many, words to the code of International
out ented to tSs
II the enforcement Of the Monroe doctrine is
something we may Justly claim. it has It's place
and Az when tie United States i. a suitor before
the high tribunal that administers International
not we present claims which the Justice Of that
code Of law can find to be right and valid. The
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 gov
eminent is entirely confident that under the sane-
tion of this doctrine we have clear rights and un-
doubted claims nor is this ignored in the British
tepy ~, ne % prime minister while pot adnittin!
'In declaring that the United States would re-
President Monroe adopted policy which received
that date.' lie further declares: Though the
attainment Of objects which most EnIishmen
would agree to he salutary: it Is impossible to
qaate authority in the code Of law
Again he says: ."rhey (her majesty's government)
fully concur with the view which President Mon
Of the existing territorial distribution in that
hemisphsre BY any fresh acquisitions On the part
OF any fsur0pean state would be n,gniy lnexpe-
contend was clear and definite, that it was
volyed our safety and welfare: that 1t was fully
applicable to our present conditions and + to the
directly related to the pending controversy and
without any conviction as to the final merits Of
the dispute. but anxious to learn in satisfactory
sought under claim of boundary to extend her
possessions on this continent without right. OF
whc.her she merely sought possession Of territory
government proposed to the government Of Great
Britain a resort to arbitration as the, proper
vexmtious boundary dispute between the two con.
testants might be determined and our exact stand
Ing and relation In respeet to the controversy
correspondence herewith submitted that this prop
0si.i0n has heen declined by the British govern
{" 81 Tnc a4 It
deeply disappointing thrt such an appeal. .ctn.
ntct by the most friendly feelings towards both
nations directly concerned addressed to the sense
Of justice and to the mng1mnmity Of one OF the
great powers of the world. and touching it's re-
t" one no weak yes,s and
The Course to BE Pursued
by this government, in view Of the present condi.
tion; does not appear to admit Of serious doufs
Having iaored faithfully ir :Gans years to Undue,
arbitration and having been now finally apprised
OF her refusal to do 10, nothing remains but to &C.
|
nlents and deal with It accordingly. Great Brit.
aims present proposition has never thus far heen
regarded as admissible by Venezuela: though any
may deem for her advantage and may enter Into
OF her free will. cannot Of course, Ike object.
Ass,ininaH however. that the attitude Of vcnezus.
In will remain unchanged the dispute has reached
Fnch stage as to make 1t now incumbent upon
the United States to take measures to determine
with sufficient certainty for Its justification what
is the true divisional line between the Republic
that end should. Of course be conducted carefully
and jldicialiy. and due weight sho,ld be given to
all available evidence; records and facts in sup
port Of tile claims OF both parties.
In order that such examination should b
prosecuted in thorough and satisfactory manner,
snggeat that the congress make an adequate ap.
appointed by the executive who shall make tha
necessary nvestsat%on % and report uRon a the en- mat.
ion be the duty q the .;nited States 70 resist by
upon Its rights and interests the appropriation by
Great Britain Of any lands the exercise Of gov
ernmentnl jurisdiction over any territory. which.
belongs to Venezuela.
In making these recommendations I am fully
alive to the responsibility incurred and keenl1
realize all the consequences that may follow. ]
am nevertheless firm In my conviction that while
it is sSieSons thing so to Sontempsse the two
being otherwise than friendly competitors in tho
onward march of civilization and strenuous and
calamity which great nation can invite which
a.usls that which follows a mpine submission to
wrong and injustice, and the consequent loss Of
aational self-respect and honor beneath which IL
shielded and defended q people's safety and great
No.. Grover Cleveland.
H1ecutivs Nankion Dec. II, 1895
The CorRespeAdence.
Accompanying the presidents mes
sage on the Venezuelan affair and on
the Monroe doctrine is the entire cor
respondence on these subjects. 1t
starts with Secretary Olney's now eel
eOrated note reopening the negotfa-
tions with Great Britain, looking to
the arbitration of the boundary dis
pute. 1t bears date Of July 70, last,
and is addressed to Mr.. Bayard. The
secretary begins by stating that the
president has given. much. anxious