Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-12-18


Britain sought under n claim OF boun-
dairy TO extend her possessions on this
continent, whether II may be fairly In
cluded In her list OF ownership. this
government proposed to Great Britain
arbitration ms proper means of set
Ting this vexatious boundary dispute
between the two countries. and our
exact standing and relation In respect
to the controversy might be made
clear.
1t will be seen from the correspond
ence. herewith submitted. that this pro-
posnl was declined by the British gov
crnment upon grounds which seem to
be to me far from satisfactory. II Is
particularly disappointing that such an
appeal, actuated by the most friendly
feelings toward both nations directly
concerned, addressed 10 the sense OF
justice and to the mngnanimity of
one OF the great powers OF the world
and touching It's relation TO one conn
paratively weak and small. should
have produced no better results.
The course to be pursued by this
government In view OF the present con-
ditions does not appear 10 admit NJ
any serious doubt. Assuming that the
attitude OF Venezuela Will remain un-
changed. the dispute has reached such
stage as to make II not incumbent to
take measures to determine with suni-
Client certainty for It's Justification
what IN the true divisional line between
the republic of Venezuela and British
Guiana. The inquiry to that end
should OF course, be conducted care
fully and Judiciously, and due weight
should be given 10 all available evil
dence, records and facts In support or
the claims of both parties. In order
that such an examination should be
prosecuted In thorough and salts
| factory manner, 1 suggest that congress
make an adequate appropriation for
| the expenses OF commission TO be
| appointed by the executive which
should make the necessary investiga-
| ton and report upon the matter with
| the least possible delay. When such
report IL made and accepted It Will, In
my oninion. be the duty Of the United
States to resist by every means In It's
power ms "a wilful aggression upon Its
| rights and interests the appropriation
| by Great Britain OF any lands or the
exercise of governmental jurisdiction
| over any land of right belonging to
| Venezuela. In making these recom-
| mendatlons. ! am fully alive to the re-
| sponsibility Incurred and keenly realize
all the consequences that may follow.
| I am nevertheless firm IN my con-
vlctlon that while 1t Is grievous
| thing to contemplate. the two great
| English speaking peoples OF the world
ms being otherwise than friendly com
| petitnrs in the onward march of civil
ization and strenuous and worthy RI
walls In all the arts Of peace, there IN
no calamity which nation can M
| vite which equals that of giving a
supine submission to wrong ana IN
Justice and the consequent loss OF ma
tional self-respect and honor.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Dec, II, 1880
Accompanying the presidents mes
a.. u M l.
ject.
OIncy's Famous Note.
II starts out with Secretary olney's
note open,ng negotiations with Great
Britain looking To the arbitration or
| the boundary dispute. bears date OF
July 20 last, and Is addressed to Mr..
Rayard. The secretary begins by stat
ing that the president has given nuch
anxious thought to the subject and mas
not reached a conclusion without n
lively sense OF It's great Importance as
well as the serious responsibility IN
volved in any action to n taken.
He comments on the long duration OF
the boundary dispute, the indefinite
claims OF both pHrtiea and the CON
tInuous growth or underlined British
claims. the fate OF the various attempts
at arbitration OF the controversy ana
the part In the matter heretofore taken
by the United States. lie shows that
| the Bfltltn tlhlrflh nll'f Alit tRNhbhhFNft
line was run have moved the frontier
OF British Guiana faster and faster Il
the westward of the line proposed by
Lord Aberdeen In 1874.
The secretary then summarizes the
situation at the beginning OF this yeai
| TO be as follows.
1. The title 10 territory Of indefinite
but confossedly very large extent u
In dispute between Great Britain AM
| Venezuela.
2. The disparity in strength OF tn
parties is such that Venezuela car
hope to establish her claim oni!
through peaceful methods.
3. The controversy has existed 10
half "a century despite Venezuela's CT
forts to establish a boundary.
4, Venezuela has for q quarter or
century striven for arbitration.
s. Great Britain has strenuously re
fused except on the provision or
large portion of the territory being u
her favor.
6. The United States has Indicate
that the controversy Is one in which II
honor and interests are Involved an
the continuance OF which 1t canno
regard with indifference.
This status. the secretary etntei
compels the government of the Unite
States to Inquire as to what extent
may Intervene in the controversy, an
particularly concerning the boundnr
dispute and to see how far 1t IL boun
to see that Venezuelan territory III nc
impaired by the pretensions OF Its pow
erful antagonists.
The secretary then dwells on the sc
luton and says that II does not seei
to be difficult to arrive ut settlemen
| The secretary lays II down as n cano
, of international law that nation ma
| Justly interpose in controversy b.
, tween other nations whenever that
done or proposed which IN dire
/ menace TO It's own integrity. Tranquil
ity or welfare"
The propriety OF the rule when az
piled In good faith will not be quei
TONED in any quarter, though he say
: It has been given wide scope an
too often made a cloak for schemes
. wanton spoilation and aggrandiS'
, ment.
This leads him UP to an elaboral
review OF the Monroe doctrine, ~
/ Secretary Olney, stating that the poiie
) OF the United States Is not for colon
: zation has long been conceded. an
E points out that the practicable applies
/ ton OF the Monroe doctrine NEAR
t: that q non-American power necessaril
I means a European power. ana an
( encroachment on this hemisphere by
4 European power Is to be deemed u
3 net unfriendly to this country.
4 srhe xcoue Of thia rule cannot lie II