Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
Monroe Doctrine L. just.

The Monroe doctrine finds it's recogni-
ton in those principles of international
law which are based upon the theory
that every nation shall have its rights
protected and it's just claims enforced.
or course this government Is entirely
confident that under the sanction OF this
doctrine we have clear rights and un-
doubted claims. Nor is this ignored in
the British reply. The prime minister,
while not admitting that the Monroe
doctrine is applicable to present condi-
lions, states: I'm declaring that the
United States would resist any such en-
terprise If it was contemplated, Presi- /
dent Monroe adopted policy which re-
ceived the entire sympathy of the Eng
fish government Of that date He fur
Their declares:
Though the language of President
Monroe is directed to the attainment
of objects which most Englshmen
would agree to be salutary, 1T IS impos-
sible to admit that they have been in
scribed by any adequate authority in
the code of international law. Again
he says: 'They cher majesty's govern
menD fully concur with the view which
President Monroe apparently enter
tanned, that any disturbance or the eX-
listing territorial distribution in that
hemisphere by any fresh acquisitions on
the part Of any European state would
be highly inexpedlent change.
which we contend was clear and def
mite; that 1t involved our safety
and welfare; that 1t was fully APP
plicable to our present conditions
and to the state of the worlds prog
ress, and that 1t was directly related
! to the pending controversy and without
any conviction as to the f1nal merits OF
! the dispute but anxious to learn In a
] satisfactory and conclusive manner
! whether Great Britain sought, under
claim Of boundary, to extend her pos
sessions on this continent without
right, or whether she merely sought pos
session of territory fairly included
| within her lines OF ownership, this gov
| eminent proposed to the government or
! Great Britain a resort to arbitration as
! the proper means of settling the .ques-
| ton, to the end that vexatious boun-
| dairy dispute between the two con-
| testants might be determined and our
| exact standing and relation in respect
| to the controversy might be made clear.
Declined by Great Britain.
IT will be seen from the correspondence
! herewith submitted that this proposition
! has been declined by the British govern
| ment. upon grounds which under the cir
| cumstances seem to me to be far from
satisfactory. 1t is deeply disappointing
| that such an appeal actuated by the most
| friendly feelings toward both nations
/ directly concerned. addressed to the sense
| of justice and to the magnanmity of one
| of the great powers of the world ana
| touching its relations to one comparative
| ly weak and small, should have produced
| no better results.
The course to be pursued by this gov
| eminent 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 TINS
| dispute to impartial arbitration, and hav-
| fvx, Ilxrn sod Af her
fusal to do so. nothing remains but to
accept the situation, to recognize its plain
requirements, and deal with 1t accord
ingly.
Great Britain's present proposition has
never thus far been regarded as admissible
by Venezuela. though any adjustment OF
the boundary which that country may
deem for her advantage and may enter
into Of her own free will can not of course
be objected to by the United States. AS
suming however, that the attitude OF
Venezuela will remain unchanged, the dis
pute has reached such a stage as to make
IL now incumbent upon the United States
to take measures to determine with suffi-
cient certainty for its justification what
is the true divisional line between the
republic Of Venezuela and British Guiana.
The inquiry to that end should of course
be conducted carefully and Judicially. and
due weight should be given to all avail
able evidence, records, and facts in sup
port of the claims of both parties.
In order that such an examination
should be prosecuted In a thorough and
satisfactory manner / suggest that the
congress make an adequate appropria-
ton for the expenses of a commission to
be appointed by the executive. who shall
make the necessary investigation and re-
port upon the matter with the least pos
sible delay.
Must Fight If Necessary.
When such report Is made and accepted,
| IL will, in my opinion, be the duty of the
United States to resist by every means in
its power, as 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 belongs to Venezuela.
In making these recommendations / am
fully alive to the responsibility incurred
and keenly realize all the consequences
that may follow.
l am, nevertheless, firm in my convic-
ton that while it Is grievous thing to
contemplate the great English-speaking
peoples 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 great nation
can invite which equals that which fol-
lows q supine submission to wrong and
Injustice and the consequent loss of ma
tional self-respect and honor, beneath
which Is shielded and defended peoples
safety and greatness.
GROVER CLEVELAND.