Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-12-23
A CAUTIOUS STATEMENT
Of the Situation from an English
Standpoint.
Sir A. K. Rollit, a Conservative
Member of Parliament, Takes a
Pretty Sensible View of the Ven
ezuelan Incident, Considering His
POsition-His Ideas in Detail.

London, December 22-Sir A. K. Rol
lit. the Conservative member of Parlia
ment for the south division of Isling
ton, and president of the London and
Hull and Associated Chamber of Com
merce, granted an exclusive interview
to a representative of the Associated
Press to-day on the outlook for the Ven
ezuelan question, especially on its
financial side. After remarking that it
was a delicate and critical position, Sir
Albert said:
1T is deeply TO be regretted that the
incident has imperilled both the good
will and trade, and even peace and COM
merce must in any case be most seri-
ously interrupted and injured just at
the time when prospects were improv-
ing and business men were justly hop
ing for better times"
He did not question the American at
tachmsnt to the Monroe doctrine, and
that it was sanctioned
BY COGENT REASONS
from their point of view. But, after
all, he added, it was only an eXparte
dictum and had never been embodied
in international law. The feeling
which inspired it, however, he thought,
was Ineligible, but in the true sense
of the doctrine Great Britain could not
justly be said TO desire an extension of
territory in seeking a delimitatlOn OF
her frontier or in insisting upon rec
OgnitiOn of what she believes to be her
just rights by a state greatly indebted
TO her for the development of her pub
lie works. He did not think it wise for
Enghshmen to follow the example OF
any Americans in attributing the ac-
ton of the President merely TO
PARTY AND PERSONAL MOTIVES,
but he felt confident that Americans
generally would ultimately realize that
the course of President Cleveland and
Secretary Olney was impetuous and i'm
perious and had seriously embarrassed
even the most peace-lOying English
men. But he relied upon the good
sense and commercial instincts and III
terests oil both peoples TO discover
friendly and honorable solution.
In this respect the gentleman thought
the projected meeting Of the New York
Chamber of Commerce would work for
peace. He was sure that The members
of the London Chamber Of Commerce
and of other British chambers were ami
mated by the same amicable and prac-
teal feelings.
1t had s.ngu,arly happened that the
London Chamber had
SHOWN THAT SPIRIT
before the question became acute. In
1891 Senior Degoda, President OF the
Venezuelan Congress, had been received
bv the Chamber, and, as the result OF
the friendly conference, the Council OF
the Chamber informed him that If Ven
ezuela made satisfactory overtures for
a settlement the Chamber would back
a suggestion TO the British government
10 arbitrate the question. Senor Degoda
expressed his satisfaction and thanks,
buc when. later in response TO the
GEORGETOWN Chamber, the London
Chamber urged a prompt settlement OF
the question. it learned that no such
overtures had been made TO Great Brit
ain
Again in 1898, when Sir A. K. RQllit
and the council of the chamber had
been asked TO meet the Venezuelan
Minister. they readily assented to the
date named for the interview, but the
Minister was unable to attend. The
Associated Chamber had also co-opera-
ted with the London Chamber and on
similar lines.
This disposition should
FORTIFY THE POSITION
of the Chamber in such a crisis, and
he concurred with them in thinking
that international arbitration ought to
disDose amicably Of such a question.
Certainly. anything honorable and not
an indignity was preferable to war be
tween kindred nations. But Ameri-
cans must remember that Great Brit
ain too. had doctrines and feelings and
in the last resort even war might be
nreferred to peace. Either nation,
however. ought to yield force to right
rather than right to force.