New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-18

the Monroe doctrine is in any way pertinent to
the question Of the Guiana-Venezuela frontier
"As regards the precise cause OF the difference
with Venezuela, We believe We have perfectly
stainless record. Mr.. Olney. to do him justice.
refuses to take II for granted that Venezuela
has substantiated her case against us. though
Mr.. Cleveland. with a loss Of perception. chooses
to assume that our action Is in derogation OF the
rights Of the little republic.
"As British subjects have settled up 10 the
Schomburgk line we cannot possibly withdraw
our protection and leave them to the risks OF the
revolutions and misrule of the republic pu,'
beyond the pale 6. settlement. we are quite WILL
ing to accept arS'tration. This. however. would
be Of no avail. Venezuela sets up pretentons
which. II found valid, would involve the alb
Of our Dutch and French neighbors. BY the
same rule the United States might be asked
to submit their title to Alaska to the Judgment
of impartial umpires Congress would indignant
ly reject such demand. SO will the Brltish
Government reject the present demand"
THE TINES" VIEWS 1T SERIOUSLY.
THE Times" will say:
1T is impossible TO disguise the gravities Of
the difficulties that have arisen between this
country and the United States. The message
that President Cleveland transmitted to Con-
gress. and the reception Il met from both sides
in the Senate give additional importance to
the dispatches that have passed between the
State Department at Washington and the For
eign Office. The details Of the boundary lis
pute with Venezuela are insignificant in COM
parison with the far-reaching claim put for
ward in Mr. Oney's dispatch. and emphasized
in Mr.. Cleveland's message
Convinced that rupture between
the two great Engish-spealdng communities
would be a calamity, not only to themselves
but 10 the civilized world, we are nevertheless
driven to the conclusion that the concessions
that this country is imperiOusy summoned to
make are such as no self-respecting nation
and. least of all one ruling an empire that has
roots in every quarter of the globe could pos
sibly submit TO- The United States themselves
would never for a moment dream Of yielding
10 this kind of dictation. We are OF the same
blood, and shall not be less careful of our
national honor. We can hardly believe that
the course threatened by Mr.. Cleveland will be
seriously adopted by the American Government,
but. if so. It will be incumbent upon us with
out entering upon any aggressive measures to
protect our imperial interests and stand up for
our rights under international law"
After a summarized review Of the dispatches
and message, The Times continues:
I'VE desire TO speak with all proper reserve Of
what is still, in the form, at least diplomatic
negotiations. but we can confidently predict that
the pretensiOns thus put forward by the Preai-
dent and apparently acclaimed by the Senate
and with rare exceptions. hailed by the press OF
both sides vigorous and patriotic will not be
admitted by this country. The firm though tenn
perate language of Lord Salisburys reply to Mr..
Olney indicates how he is likely to receive the
proposal TO give effect in an offensive overween-
ing way to the rev construction OF the Monroe
Doctrine.
"No commission appointed by power which is
not party TO the dispute will be recognized by
us as having title Of any sort TO pronounce upon
controverted questions of the boundary between
the British Empire and Venezuela. 1t will re-
ceive no assistance from the British authOri-
ties and will have to rely on what II can OBJ
tain from the Venezuclans. It's decision will
be null and void from the outset. even If It's orr
gin did not taint K with partiality.
This new departure in international relations
does not appear to be a straightforward course.
1t is for the United States 10 decide for them
selves whether the Venezuelan boundary dispute
touches their interests, though we are unable to
see how II does so. 1t is for them to declare
her alleged rights. We should then know where
we stand: but to assume authority to decide in
a quasi judicial way upon the validity Of our
territorial rights In another continent is a pre-
tension that no power in the world can be tusti-
fed in advancing.
I'VE are bound to resist the claims. which the
Monroe Doctrine has for the first time been ex-
tended to cover and to which Mr.. Olney has
added comments and inferences against which
an emphatic protest must be made.
The Telegraph"
The United States have no practical con-
In the controversy. The invocation Of the
Monroe Doctrine seems our side OF the
water to be irrelevant and absurd. Il 1t is in
any sense true that all this jealous support Of
Venezuela owes its origin 10 partisan ntrgues
there is still less for submitting to what.
from the British standpoint. is a wholly perverse
and inadmissible claim"
THE Graphic" says:
Lord Salisbury has written the epitaph Of
the Monroe Doctrine. Self-respecting Americans
Will not read President Cleveand's message
either with pride or pleasure