New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-20
FOREIGN OFFICE SILENT.
CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
THINKS WAR POSSIBLE

THE CHRONICLE" REBUKEs SIR MICHAEL HICKS
BEACH-"THE DAILY NEWS PLEASED WITH
YESTERDAYS ACTION IN THE SENATE
THE GUARDIAN" BELIEVES THAT THE
CLAIM AGAINST VENEZUELA WILL
BE PUSHED AT ALI. HAZARDS
London Dec 19.-Lord Salisbury did not come to
London to day Business at the Government offices
went along usual and there was no Dustie OF
excitement It is the opinion in official quarters
that there will be developments In the Nehe-
zlIelan matter until the Christmas holidays are
over 1t is also thought that the Government VIII
not act in any way until II receives formai ihti-
nation OF the appointment OF the American COM
mission.
In speech delivered at Bristol to-day the Right
Hon Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Chancellor OF the
Exchequer made a passing reference to President
Clevelands message. Some people. he said ap-
peared TO regard a war between the United states
and Great Britain as impossible owing 10 their tes
Of knship. Nothing, however. was impossioie
War had already happened between them. II kins-
men unhappily differed they became sometimes very
bitter enemies But he did not believe that many
persons IL any, on either side Of the Atlantic
thought that the people OF the uniteo STATES vi
Gr&t Britain wanted war. lie was comment 'ia'
when a true statement of Great Britain cane was
ably and fully explained and Lord Salisbury's dis-
would be peaceful and honorable to both countries
PULSE OF THE BRITISH PRESS.
In is Issue tomorrow THE Chronicle" will say 1t
does not agree with the utterance OF Sir Mlchaei
Hicks-Beach In his speech at Bristol tnat tnere
might be war between kindred 1t declares that IL
takes It's stand firmly and unalteraoiy on 'ne nie
that war between Great Britain ana the Ini'eu
States would be impossible, unthinKapie anu uii
holy thing. 1t recurs the view 1t maintained
NJ NM
and declares that the earlier and friendher A"er
ican suggestions of arbitration were not unreason-
able The article concludes: 1t seems 10 us 10 Ue
vital that the controversy shall as far as possible
further advance, rather than retafo' the p''"0p'e
OF international arbitration.
THE TIMES" BIDS ENGLAND PREPARE.
..rbe Times" will say: Despite some severe
criticism in America, evidence accumulates tha'
President Clevelands message was framed IN ac-
cord with and to play upon a popular sentiment.
rhere is no reason to doubt that the Senate VIII
pass the Commission bill, although IL Is oosio"'
that the commission is not likely 10 be grahteo oi
Mr. Cleveland's own terms A most remarkaoie III
cident Of the discussion was Senator Lodge 5 u"-
conscious humor in moving that the co'iiii''' -
port April !.
1--WE are afraid that the Americans VIII not oe
moved By arguments drawn from preceoeh's anu
established principles Of international ia" ihes
have always shown themselves sentimental ca
n.
the Monroe Doctrine really is. but nevertheess .he
are unite willing to enter upon holy war to defsnd
f. We must reckon on this feeHng anu oe Piepo's"
for the widest alterations 1t may cause ms uoes
not lessen the gravity OF the situation; ihueeu' "
rather increases our OF the peril to which I'M
mense international interests are supJecten ny eo
bined sentiment and ignorance.
nUe earnestly hope that the opinion OF the sa-
sacious far-seeing men of the United states, which
has already begun TO assert ITSELF VIII preVa over
the reckless policy of the President the fact can
not be ignored however that the latter s supported
hv a majority of both houses and the great Dody Oh
tho nublc opinion of the country. AS we cannot
vle'd 10 Mr. Oneys demands. whether tney are
supported by TIE people or not without surrehoer-
ing the title almost the whole or our EMPIRE we
must hold ourselves prepared 10 defend our rights
in any quarter where they may be threatened
..rhe Daily News" referring to the action Of the
American Senate on the Venezuelan Commission
bill d!lates on what 1t says is most welcome news
II adds that the whole political prospect In the
United States mas changed and that the common
sense of the American people has reasserted tseit.
The Senate discussed the matter of a grant for the
commission with the dignity and gravity becoming
the first assembly Of the Union The Jngoes were
evidently overawed. not by what passed IN the
Senate but what passing outside lhey ai-
ready had had taste of plain speaking from many
quarters OF the Union. II Is not England put
Europe which threatens them with confusion and
proclains the message outrage on right ana
Justice that not been paralleled since the time
of Napoleon. The paper concludes by declaring
that it is much better that American opinion De
left TO right itself.
THE Morning Post" will tomorrow say: There
seems lit;e doubt that the commission viii hoid ID
an inquiry. in which event an uneXpected way oi
SThe post expresses surprise that Mr. Cleye.
land accepted the Venezuelan version OF 'ne ease @
examination would have saved him from skatinsr on
ice that must give way on me leasi PresSsu Ssd ~
prove her claims before the commissiop which snee'
being unable to do will make Ak the % Wharaw draw
vsnhse that time @ for reecton has gained
Engshmcn have far too high respect for the better
erdef epd the oI VOICE of reason viii be listened to-
The standard comments on the foreign , opinion IN
a Bern and Vienna where critics are less indugsnt
to Mr Cleveland than the British and says Is that tnas
form for material support it then eSn,nuss ,.o
afford to be fairly sheer'u once n oTy we DO
not believe that the pec2le Of the United states e
viii ever unfahu to reason and r rgPr Prassen ~ no
tSieveands menace. Great Britain may safe,y
leave the two amateurS CevcanJd opnon o Of the
world win pronounce on their efforts respect m '1f OF
ssa Gsanwh hran the entsrsns SSra1 sGo9 T
outside OF election politics will not be Pmns Of
exiracts se from the French, German and Austrian
press denounc.ng President Cleveland Pos,,49in: P4i
The articles, however, are IN no wise al '''e"-''
to England.
DISPUTED TERRITORY TO BE SEIZED.
The Manchester Guardian" claims 10 nave
knowledge that the Foreign Ofce VIII piacluiy pro-
coed without regard to President Cleveland mes
sage and the demand for indemnity Tor the arres'
OF members of the British colonial ponce VIII pe
steadily nressed upon Venezuela and II necessary
enforced by the admiral commanding the west
India station The territory extending 10 'he
schomburgk line, Tho Guardian" says VIII be hed
against Venezuela or any other power, while the
nattar NJ nossesslon OF the territory beyond that
line wI he submitted to arbitration II that can be
agreed upon with Venezuela: otherwise 1t, too VIII
be occupied In the course or time -.
The Pail Mall Gazette" to-day assumes pat
ronlzing tone we are not infurated, IL says
'.nor ire we excited. but partly astonished.
partly amused and also somewhat embarrassed as
rwhar snmehndv else has committed bad breach