The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-18

TO the Congrcss,--In my annual mes
sage 1 addressed 90 the Congress on The
81 instant, called attention TO the
pending boundary controversy betwcer
Great Britain and the republic Of Ncnc
xuela. and rccitcd the Substance OF q
representation made by this Government
10 her Britannia Majcsty's Government
suggesting reasons why such dispute
should be submitted TO arbitration for
settlement and nquirng whether II
would be so submitted.
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
The answer of the British Government.
which was then awaited. has since been
received and together with the dis
patch. TO which reply is hereto ap-
pended Such reply Is embodied in two
communications, addressed by the British
Prime Minister TO Sir Julian Pauncefote,
British ambassador at this capital. 1t
will be seen that one Of these communi-
cations is devoted exclusively TO obser-
vations upon the Monroe doctrine. and
claims that in the present instance a
new and strange extension and develop
ment of this doctrine is insisted on by
the United States; that reasons justify
ing an appeal 10 the doctrine enunciated
by President Monroe are generally in
applicable "to the state of things in
which we live at the present day. and
especially inapplicabe to the controversy
involving the boundary line between
Great Britain and Venezuela.
Without attempting TO give an ex-
tended argument in reply TO these posi-
tions II may not be aIniss to suggest
that the doctrine upon which we stand Is
strong and sound. because its enforce
ment is important to our peace and
safety as a nation, and essential 10 the
integrity of our free institutions. and the
tranquil maintenance OF our distinctive
form of government. II was intended
to apply to every stage of our national
life. and cannot become obsolete while
our republic endures. If the balance OF
power is justly cause for
jealous anxiety among the gov
ernments Of the Old World. and
subject for our absolute non-interference,
none the less is an observance of the
Monroe doctrine of vital concern to our
people and their government Assum-
ing. therefore. that we may probably in
sist upon this doctrine, without regard
TO 1.-The state of things in which we live
or any changed conditions, here or else
where, II is not apparent why its appli-
cation may not be invoked in the pres
en-. controversy.
LOGICAL CONSTITUENCIES.
IL European jower by extension of
its boundaries. takes possession of the
territory of one of our neighboring re-
publics. against its will, and. in deroga-
ton of its rights, il is difficult TO see
why, to that extent, such European
power docs not thereby attempt to ex-
tend is system OF government to that
portion OF this continent which is thus
taken. This is the precise action which
President Monroe declared 10 be dan
gerous to our peace and sSfety." and IT
can make no difference whether the Iu-
ropean system is extended by an al
vance of frontier or otherwise.
II is also suggested ed In the British re-
ply that we should not seek to apply
the Monroe doctrine in the pending dis
pute, because ~ does not embody any
principle Of international law. which is
founded on the general consent of ma
tions" and that no statesman, however
emient. and no nation, however, power
full. are competent % insert into the
code of International law a novel prin-
cple. which was never recognized be-
fore. and which has not since been ac-
cepted by the government of any other
country Practically. the principle for
which we contend has peculiar, IL not
exclusive relation 10 the United States
IL may not have been admitted, in 80
many words TO the code of international
law, but since In international couDsels,
every nation is entitled TO the rights be-
longing 10 1t. if the enforcement OF the
Monroe doctrine is something we may
Justly claim. II has its place in the code
of international law. as certainly and as
securely as If II were specifically men
toned. and when the United States is a
suitor before the high tribunal thai ad-
ministers international law, the question |
TO be determined is whether or not we
present claims which the justice of that |
code OF law can find 10 be right and !
valid
RIGHTS or NATIONS
The Monroe doctrine finds is recOgni- |
tion IN those principles OF international l
law which are based upon the theory that |
every nation shall nave It's rights pro-
tected. and its just claims enforced. OF |
course. this Government is entirely con-
fident that under the sanction OF this doc
trine we have clear rights and undoubted
claims Nor Is this ignored in the Brit
ish reply. The Prime Minister. while
not admitting that the Monroe doctrine
ls applicable to present conditions, states
'fn declaring that the United States
would resit any such enterprise. II IL
was contemplated. President Monroe
adopted a policy which received the en-
lire sympathy OF the English Govern
,iares: Though the language Of Presi-
ient Monroe is directed TO the attain
nent OF objects which most Englishmen
you'd agree 10 be salutary- II is mpos-
,ible to admit that they have been in
.cribed by any adequate authority in
he code OF international law" Again. |
,e saws: ''They (her Majcstys' Govern
nenD fully concur with the view. which
President Monroe apparently entertained.
hon lat
ial distribution in that hemisphere, by !
my fresh acquisitions on the part OF any
European State. would he highly in
xpedient."
GREAT BRITAINS CLAIMS.
I'm belief that the doctrine for which
,e contend was clear and definite. that II
,as founded upon substantial considera-
Ions and involved our safety and well
IRE. that II was fully applicable TO our
resent conditions and TO state OF worlds
roeress. and that il was directly related
, pending controversy, and without any
ony;ctions as TO the final merits of the
ispu.e. but anxious to learn In a salts
.ctory and conclusive manner whether I
reat Britain sought under q claim OF
ourdary To extend her possessions on I
Mis- continent without right. or whether I
he merely sought possession or terri {
,ry fairly included within her lines OF
wnershtp. this Government proposed to {
= coysrnmept Of crsss Britain resort ] Z