Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1895-10-10
Washington Letter

WASHINGTON. -. u, OctoDer Nh, 1910.
The matter sent from Washington to
some of the great newspapers of the
country within the last few days, con-
corning the position of this government
towards Great Britain and her boundary
dispute with Venezuela. has made it
apparent that some of the correspond
ents would be benefited by taking a
little instruction on the meaning Of
phrases used in diplomatic circles. Not
a few of them sent out this positive
statement that Secretary Olney had
sent an ultimatum to Great Britain.
The Century Dictionary, than which
there is no better authority, defines ul.
timatum as VA final proposal or state
ment Of conditions; especially in diplo-
matte negotiations, the final terms Of one
CT the parties, the rejection Of which
may involve an immediate rupture OF
diplomatic relations and may even lead
to declaration of war" Now, in view
Ct that definition, wasn't it absurd and
silly to say that Secretary Olney had
sent an ultimatum to Great Britain?
Even if the conditions were critical
enough to demand All ultimatum, which
they are not, does any intelligent man
suppose that the administration would
take the responsibility of sending it
when Congress-, which alone has power
to declare war, will be in session in a
few weeks? Of course it wouldn t,under
any circumstances, aud it certainly
wouldn't do it in this case, which has
grown out of the adoption ola joint res.
olution by Congress.
The action Of the administration, IN
asking that Great Britain submit its
claim to land claimed by Venezuela to
arbitration, is not new departure, as
many seem to think. The request was
first made by Secretary Gresham after
Congress had adopted a resolution di-
recting it. Great Britain declined to
submit all it's claims to arbitration and
Venezuela would naturally not agree to
a partial arbitration. The matter has
again been called to the attention of the
British Government, but there mas been
neither demand nor ultimatum up to
this time, whatever the future may
bring forth. This government has
gathered mass of information on the
subject, and has become convinced that
it would be a violation Of the Monroe
Doctrine for Great Britain to take by
force large portion of the land it
claims and that information will doubt.
less by exaggel alton and misrepresen-
tation to use it to bring about either a
real or a threatened rupture between
Great Britain and the United States.
Among the jngoists are many inAuen-
tial politicians who think that such
furry would be beneficial to them, and
who will endeavor to inoculate Congress
with the disease. 1t is after all proba-
bly, the influence Of these jingoists, and
not the ignorance Of the correspondents
which is responsible for the crack brain
stories about sending that ultimatum.
Noend of gossip has resulted from the
public statement of Senator Blackburn
that Secretary Carlisle did not dare to
take the stump again in Kentucky dur
ing this campaign. The statement form
ed the conclusion of long interview,
in which Senator Blackburn declared
that the sentiment in favor Of free silver
was on the incl ease in Kentucky and
that there had been the slightest doubt
of HE being returned to the Senate and
was in these words There is one thing
you can be assured of, and that Is that
Secretary Carlisle will not again 60 on
the stump in Kentucky during this cam
paign. Mr.. Carlisle understands why
ne will not do this, and | do not furth
err care to comment on it, There is