The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-17
WAR IF NEED BE.
Presidents Venezuelan Message
Reaches Congress.
1t Advises a Stern Remedy of a
Stern Dispute.
WE MUST BE FIRM.
England Has Refused to Arbi-
trate the Question;
Now We Must Stand Up for Our
National Rights.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17-President
Cleveland's expected message on the
controversy. between this nation and
Great Britain regarding the arbitration
of the boundary line dispute between
Venezuela and British Guiana reached
congress at noon. twas as follows.
To Congress-In my annual message
addressed to congress on the Sd instant,
1 called attention to pending boundary
controversy between Great Britain
and the republic of Venezuela
and recited substance of represen-
tation made by this government to
her Britannia Majesty's government sug
gesting reasons why such dispute should
be submitted to arbitration for settlement
and inquiring whether it would be so
submitted. Answer from the British
government which was then awaited has
since been received and together with
dispatch to which it is reply is hereto
appended. 1t will be seen that one of
these communications is devoted exclu-
sively to observations upon the Monroe
doctrine and claims that in the present
instance a new and strange extension
and development of this doctrine is
insisted on by the United States,
that reasons justifying an appeal
to the doctrine are insisted on by
the United States, that reasons justifying
an appeal to the doctrine enunciated by
President Monroe are generally inap-
plicable ITO the state of things in which
we live at the present day." and es-
pecially inapplicable to a controversy
involving the boundary line between
Great Britain and Venezuela.
If European power by an extension
tic \ -fo 40lr e 81
territory of one of our neig h boring re-
publics against its will and in deroga-
ton of its rights, it is difficult to see why
to that extent such European power
does not thereby attempt to extend its
system of government to that portion of
this continent which is thus taken.
The Monroe doctrine Ends its recogni
ton in those principles of international
law which are based upon the theory that
every nation shall have its rights pro-
tected and its just claims enforced.
OF course this government is entirely
confident that under the sanction of this
doctrine we have clear rights and uu-
doubled claims. n or is this ignored in
the British reply This government
proposed to the government of
Great Britain a resort to arbitration as
the proper means of settling the question
to the end that vexatious boundary dis
pute between the two contestants might
be determined and our exact standing
and relation in respect to the controversy
might be made clear.
The proposition has been declined by
the British government upon grounds
which under the circumstances 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 magnanimity of one of the great
powers of the world and touching its re-
lations 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 dispute to impartial arbitration, and
having been now finally apprised Of her
refusal to do SO, nothing remains but to
accept the situation, to recognize its
plain requirements and deal with it ac-
cordingly. Great Britain's present prop
osition has never thus far been regarded
as admissible by Venezuela, though any
adjustment of the boundary which that
country Mdy Q6Gm 1OE nor advantage
and may enter into of her own free will
cannot of course To objected to by the
United States. Assuming, however, that
the attitude of Venezuela will remain
unchanged, the dispute has reached such
a stage as TO make it now incumbent
upon the United States to take lea ures
to determine with sufficient certainty for
it's justification what is the true divis-
ionaI line between the republic of Vene-
zuela and British Guiana.
The inquiry to that end should, of
course, be conducted carefully and ju-
dicially, and due weight should be given
to all available evidence, records and
facts in support of the claims of both par
ties.
In order that such an examin alton
should be prosecuted in thorough and
satisfactory manner, l suggest that the
congress make an adequate appropria-
tion 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. When such report is made
and acce pied, it will, in my opinion, be
the duty of the United States to resist by
every means in its power as a will
full aggression upon its rights
and interests the appropriation
by Great Britain of any lands or the ex-
ercise of governmental jurisdiction over
any territory which. after investigation,
we have determined of right belongs to
Venezuela.
am nevertheless firm in my convic-
ton that while it is a grievous thing to
contemplate the two great ELg-
lish speaking peoples OF the world
as being otherwise than friendly
com petitors in the onward march of
civilization and strenuous and worthy
rivals in all the parts of peace, there is
no calamity which a great nation can in