The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1895-12-27

yNatssQALo. lie IuFGn6r declares
Though the language OF President
Monroe is directcd to the attainment Of
objects which most Englishmen would
agree to be salntary, it is impossible
to admit that they have been inscribed
by any adequate authority in the code
OF international law" Again he says:
They (Her Majesty's government
finally concur with the view which
President Monroe apparently enter
tanned, that any disturbance of the
existing territorial distribution in that
hemisphere by any fresh acquisitions
on the part of any European state,
would be a highly incxpedient
change"
ENGLAND DECLINES ARBITRATION.
In the belief that the doctrine for
which we contend was clear and de-
finite, that it was founded upon sub
stantial considerations and involved
our safety and welfare, that it was
fully applicable to our present condi-
tions and to the state OF the worlds
progress, and that it was directly re-
lated to the pending controversy and
without any conviction as to the final
merits Of the dispute, but anxious to
learn in a satisfactory and conclusive
manner whether Great Britain sought
under q claim of boundary to extend
her possessions on this continent with
right, or whether she merely
sought possession of territory fairly
included within her lines Of owner
ship. this government proposed to
the government Of Great Britain
a resort to arbitration as the
proper ice Of settling the ques-
ton, to the end that a vexatious
boundary dispute between the two
contestants might be determined and
our exact standing and relation in re-
spect to h controversy might be made
clear. 1t will be seen from the cor
respondence herewith submitted that
this proposition has been declined by
the British government upon grounds,
which, under the circumstances, seem
to me TO be far from satisfactory. It
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 relations to one compare
lively weak and small, should have
~ oANSCo NJ OCCUCT IcSulUS. N.a#H
The course to be pursued BY this
government in view Of the present
condition does not appear to admit Of
seriousdoubt Having labored faith
fully for many years to induce Great
Britain to submit this dispute to inn
partial arbitration, and having been
now finally apprised of her refusal to
do SO, nothing remains but to accept
the situation, to recognize it's plain re-
qnlrements and deal with it accord
ingly.
BOUNDARY INQUIRY M FIRMNEss.
Great Britain's present proposition
has eve thus far been regarded as
admissible by Venezuela, though any
adjustment of the boundary which
that country may deem for her advan-
tage and may enter into OF her own
free will cannot, of course, be objected
to by the United States. Assuming,
however, that the attitude of Vene-
zuela will remain unchanged, the dis
pute has reached such q stage as to
make it incumbent upon the United
States to take measures to determine
with sufficient certainty for it's iusti-
fcntion what is the true divisional
lire between the republic Of Venezuela
and British Guiana. The inquiry to
that end should of course be conducted
carefully and judiclally, and, due
weight should be given to all available
evidence, records and facts in support
of the claims of both parties.
In order that such an examination
should .be prosecuted in a thorough
and satisfactory manner, I suggest
that Congress make adequate appro-
priation for the expenses Of a commits
sion to be appointed by the Executive,
who shall make the necessary investi-
CATION and report upon the matter with
the least possible delay. When such re-
port is made and accepted, it within my
opinion, be the duty Of the United
States to resist by every means in it's
power as a Jwillful aggression upon it's
rights and interests, the appropriation
by Great Britain of any lands or the
exercise of government jurisdiction
over any territory which, after in
vestigation, we have determined of
right belonging to Venezuela.
NO sUrINE SUBMISSION TO WRONG.
In making these commentators /
amsfully alive to the responsibility in
Cured and keenlysrealizeIal all the con-
sequences that may follow. / am
nevertheless firm in my conviction
that while it IS a greyious thing to
contemplate the two great English
speaking people Of the world
ass 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 calamitv which n
that which follows q snpine submis-
sion to wrong and injustice and the