The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-12-28

AhruuilUBs intICiOIt, lildt We ulAl
properly insist upon the doctrine without
regard to the state of things in which
we live" or any changed conditions here
or elsewhere, 1t is. not apparent why its
application may not be invoked In the
present controversy. If any European
power, by an extension of its bounda-
ries, takes possession OF the territory
of ore of our neighboring re-
publics against its will and
in derogalion of its rights, it is difficult
to see why, to that extent, such Euro
pean power does not thereby attempt to
extend its system of government to that
portion of this continent which is thus
taken. This is the precise action which
President Monroe declared to be dan
gerous to our peace and safety and it
can make no difference whether the
European system is extended by an ad.
vance of frontier or otherwise.
at is also suggested in the British re-
ply that we should not seek to apply the
Monroe doctrine to the pending dispute,
because it does not embody any princi-
pie of international law which is found
ed on the general consent of nations
and that no statesman, however emf
nent, and no nation, however
powerful. is competent to insert into
the code of international law a
novel principle which was never recog-
nized before and which has not since
been accepted by the Government of
any other country
Practically the principle for which
we contend has peculiar, il not exclu-
siye, relation to the United States. 1t
may not have been admitted in so many
words to the code of international law,
but since in intern ltional councils every
nation is entitled to the rights belong
ing to it, il the enforcement OF the
Monroe doctrine is something we may
justly claim, it has it's place in the code
Of international law as certainly and as
securely as II it were specifically
mentioned, and when the United
States sutton before the high tribunal
that administers international law, the
question to be determined is whether or
not we present the claims which the
justice of that code of law can find to
be right and valid.
From Secretary Oiney's letter:
"To day the United States is practical
ly sovereign on this continent and its
fiat is law upon the subject to which
it confines its interposition. Why? 1t
is not because of the pure friendship or
good will felt for 1t. 1t is not simply by
reason of its high character as civil
lied state. nor because wisdom and JUS
tice and equity are the invariable char
acteristics of the dealings Of the United
States. It is because, In addition to all
other grounds. its infinite resources,
combined with its isolated position, rem
der it master Of the situation and prac-
tically invulnerable, and this superiority
| Ia. % INN IaA 10 ha nnipl. ho
admitted that European Powers may
convert American States into colonies
or provinces OF their own. The prin-
ciple would be eagerly awaited OF, and
every Power doing so would immediate
ly acquire base OF military operations
against Us"
"In these circumstances the duty OF
the President appears 10 him unmistak'
able and Imperative. Great Britain's
assertion of title Of the disputed territ.
ory, combined with her refusal to have
that title investigated, being a sub
stantial appropriation OF that territory
to her own use, not to protest and give
warning that the transaction will be re-
garded as injurious to the interests OF
the people OF the United States, as well
as oppressive in itself, would be IL
ignore an established policy with which
the honor and welfare OF the country
are closely identified. While the mea
sures necessary or proper for the vindi
cation OF that policy are to be deter
mined by another branch Of the
Government, It Is clearly for the
executive TO leave nothing undon,
which may tend to render such
determination unnecessary,
"You are instructed, therefore, Il
| present the foregoing views TO Lore
Salisbury by reading 70 him this com
municatiop, aud to reinforce them b,
such pertinent considerations as vii
doubtless occur to you. They call for
definite decision upon the point whethe
cline to submit the Venezuelan bound
airy question in It's entirety to impartia
arbitration. II is the earnest hope o
. the President that the conclusion will b
T on the side Of arbitration and that Grea
I Britain will add one more to the con
4 spicuous precedents she has alread
4 furnished In favor OF that wise and jus
I mode Of adjusting international ''ii
: putes."
T WASHINGTON, December 18.-Today
session OF the House did not last a
i hour. but II sufficed for the passage Of
5 bill authorizing tho President to appoin
9 a commission to investigate the ven'
zuelan boundary, and appropriatip
3 500, 900 for the expenses OF the con
] misaion,
The bill, which carries into effect tn
recommendations Of the President
message, was prepared by Hit (R)
Illinois this morning. and met the al
: proval Of Speaker Reed.
l. WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.-The Houl
. bill was passed unamended by the Sci
. ate and goes at once to the President &
his signature.
l