Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-17

ed claims. Nor is this ignored in the Brit
| ish reply. The prime minister, while not
admitting that the Monroe doctrine is ap-
| plicable to present conditions, states 'in de-
| claring that the United States would resist
any such enterprise if it was contemplated
| President Monroe adopted a policy which
| received the entire sympathy of the English
government of that date He further de-
clares, though the language of President
Monroe is directed to the attainment of
objects which most English would agree to
be salutary, it is impossible to admit that
they have been inscribed by inadequate
authority in the code of international law"
Again he says: "They cher majesty's gov
| erpmenD fully concur with the view which
President Monroe apparently entertained,
that any disturbance of the existing terri
torial distribution in that hemisphere by
any fresh acquisition on the part of any
European state, would be a highly mex
pedent change"
Arbitration Declined.
In the belief that the doctrine for which
we contend was clear and definite that it
was founded upon substantial considera-
tions and involved our safety and welfare,
that it was fully applicable to our present
conditions and to the state of the worlds
progress. and that It was directly related
to the pending controversy, and without
any conviC tiors as to the final merits Of the
dispute, but anxious to learn in a satisfac-
tory and conclusive manner whether Great
Britain sought, under a claim of boundary,
to extend her possessions on this continent
without right, or whether she merely
sought possession of territory fairly in
cluded with in her lines of ownership this
government proposed to the government of
Great Britain resort to arbitration the
proper means Ct settling the question, to
the end that vexatious boundary dispute
between the two contestants might be de-
termired ard our exact standing and rela-
ton in respect to the controversy might be
! made clear.
1t will be seen from the correspondence
herewith submitted that this proposition
has been declined by the British govern
stances, seem to me to be far from salts
factory. 1t is deeply disappointing that
such an appeal, actuated by the most
friendly feelings toward both nations di-
rectly concerned, addressed 10 the sense
| of justice and to the magnanimity of one
of the great powers of the world and
touching its relations to one comparatively
weak and small, should have produced no
better results
The course to be pursued by this gov
ernment, in view of the present condition.
does not appear to admit of serious doubt.
Having labored faithfully for many years
to induce Great Britain to submit this dis
pute to impartial arbitration, and having
been now finally apprised of her refusal
to do so, nothing rem aims but to accept
the situation, to recognize its plain
quirements, and deal with it accordingly.
Great Britain's present proposition has
never thus far been regarded as admiss-
ible by Venezuela, though any adjustment
of the boundaries which that country may
deem for her advantage 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 dis
pate has reached such 4 stage as to make
it 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 of
Venezuela and British Guiana. The in
quiry to that end should, of course, be con-
Quoted carefully and judcialiy, and due
Weight should be given to all available evil
dence, records and facts in support of the
claims of both parties.
To Resist Aggression,
In order that such an examination should
be prosecuted in a thorough and satisrac-
tory manner, l suggest that the Congress
make an adequate appropria tion for the ex-
penses of commission, to be appointed by
the executive, who shall make the neces-
sary investigation and report upon the
matter with the least possible delay. When
such report is made and accepted, it will,
in my opinion, be the duty cf the United
States to resist, by every means in its
power, as a willful aggression upon its
rights and interests, the appropriation by
Great Britain of any lands, or the exercise
of governmental jurisdiction over any ter
ritory which. after investigation, We have
determined of right belong TO Venezuela.
In making these recommendations, i am
fully alive to the responsibility incurred
and keenly realize all the consequences that
may follow.
am, nevertheless, firm in my conviction
that while it is grievous thing to contem-
plate the two great English speaking peo-
pies of the world as being otherwise than
friendly competitors in the onward march
Of civilization and strenuous and worthy
rivals in all the arts of peace. there is no
calamity which a great nation can invite
which equals that which follows supine
submission to wrong and injustice and the
CONSEQUENT loss of national self-respect and